According to the World Bank (2021), malnutrition remains a silent crisis in the Philippines, with one in three children under five stunted in 2019—among the highest rates in East Asia and the world. This persistent crisis raises urgent questions about food security, poverty, and the effectiveness of existing nutrition programs. As Master Cheng Yen reminds us, “If we can give rise to one thought of kindness, countless sufferings can be lessened.”
On August 15, 2025, under the coordination of Tzu Chi volunteer Sister Caroline Uy, the Tzu Chi Youth, and community volunteers, visited the homes of undernourished children in Barangay Kabasacan, town of Sagbayan to gather information on household conditions, the children’s health and eating habits, food availability and preparation, parental knowledge and practices. During the home visits, they found that most children do not like eating vegetables, although parents know what healthy food should be given to them. It was also observed that children are often served quick and convenient meals such as canned goods, hotdogs, instant noodles, and other processed foods. Moreover, children tend to prefer fried dishes over soup-based meals.
The following day, August 16, 2025, the Tzu Chi Foundation–Bohol officially launched the “Grains of Love: Sailing Nourishment to Bohol” program at the Kabasacan Covered Court. The event brought together 26 undernourished kids identified through a routinary check conducted by their school accompanied by their parents, 5 staff, 15 Tzu Chi Youth, 6 community volunteers. Each child received two packs of Jing Si Multi-Grain powder and one pack of chocolate milk drink, ensuring both nourishment and a familiar local flavor.
The program started with registration, card issuance for identification and Body Mass Index (BMI) and height monitoring on the duration of the program. Designed to run for three months, it includes bi-monthly distributions to replenish the Jing Si Multi-Grain supplements and conduct assessments to track the children’s nutritional development.
Opening the event, TCY Camp Head Mark Boiser shared a video on war-torn Gaza, State of Palestine’s malnutrition crisis, reminding families to value their blessings: “Let us not waste food, because what we have on our tables is already a blessing that others are desperately praying for.”
Tzu Chi Philippines’ Deputy CEO and Bohol Coordinator, Brother James Chua, shared that Tzu Chi Foundation, guided by Master Cheng Yen’s teaching, “We are all one family.” Tzu Chi continues to care not only for the elderly but also for children through nutrition programs supplemented by the multi-grain powder drink and the Happy Home Project for senior-aged individuals. To inspire giving, he introduced the Alkansya (Coin Can) Project, saying, “Even if you drop only a small amount, once pooled together, it can make a big difference in the lives of others.”
This program, spearheaded by Sister Caroline Uy, explained the benefits and story behind the Jing Si Multi-Grain Powder and demonstrated how to prepare the drink. She noted that many children in the barangay are underweight and stunted, which inspired Tzu Chi to provide this nutritious supplement made in Taiwan by the Dharma Masters of the Jing Si Abode. Containing 22 ingredients rich in calcium and iron, the powder supports healthy growth and development. With 2,100 packs donated by Tzu Chi Volunteers in Taiwan, she urged parents to serve it to their undernourished kids three times a day. “Our only wish is that you value this blessing and not waste the love from the donors. We hope the undernourished children will gain weight, height, and become healthy,” she expressed.
To keep the children energized during the program, the Tzu Chi Youth, Tzu Chi commissioners, staff, and community volunteers led them in performing the Tzu Chi song and sign language, “Children of the Earth”. Their laughter and lively movements filled the venue with joy, and they enjoyed it so much that they asked to perform the dance again.
Salome Pellier, whose father was the 56th beneficiary of the Happy Home Project, is a mother of preschool twins and is temporarily living in the home provided to her father. One of her twins, Julia Faye, was identified as undernourished. She expressed heartfelt gratitude when Julia Faye received the multi-grain drink for the first time, saying, “I hope this will help improve my child’s weight, and I promise to serve it daily.” She also encouraged other parents to provide nutritious meals, avoid junk food, and plant vegetables at home. Her twins joyfully added, “Thank you, Tzu Chi Foundation, for the Multi-Grain. It’s so delicious!”
For Rowena Esnardo, a mother of two, the program was both a blessing and a lesson. With her husband relying on odd jobs, simple meals like fried eggs often filled their table, yet her children eagerly enjoyed the multi-grain, with her son Fritz even asking for more at home. Filled with gratitude, she shared, “Many people don’t have food to eat; some even fight for it. That’s why we should never waste what we have.” Her Grade 3 son gave a thumbs-up with a smile and added, “It tastes like chocolate! I’ll keep eating so I can grow big.”
Echoing the parents’ gratitude, Kabasacan Barangay Captain Christopher Andales thanked the Tzu Chi Foundation for providing a nutritional program through the multi-grain powder and chocolate milk drink to undernourished children and for building “Happy Homes” for senior citizens. He reminded parents that children are the town’s future and encouraged them to guide their children with care and discipline, saying, “We, as adults, know better what they need. Children should not be the ones deciding what they eat.” He concluded with hope that Tzu Chi will continue supporting their fight against malnutrition.
Through this program, Tzu Chi Foundation not only provided nutrition but also planted seeds of gratitude, discipline, and compassion – truly, the grains of love, is sailing nourishment to Bohol.
