Hunger advocacy through arts

MANILA, Philippines – “Makakain ba ang sining? Hindi, pero ito ay pagkain ng isipan, kaluluwa, puso, at damdamin.” (Can you eat art? No, but it’s food for the mind, soul, heart and emotions)

“Napapalawak nito ang pag-unawa natin sa lipunan, sarili, ibang tao,” said Alma Quinto, visual artist and cultural worker. (It broadens our understanding of society, self, and others.)

Quinto mentored over 35 children and mothers from low-income households across Quezon City and Caloocan.

The children created different artworks, drawing from their own experiences with malnutrition. Meanwhile, their mothers expressed their parenting styles through brushes, palettes, needles and thread.

Before the art workshops, the children and mothers first took classes on health, nutrition, and sanitation. They were then asked to transform their learnings into visual art.

For Quinto, art can create hope and positive action. At the end of the workshops, the families not only came out healthier, but also debuted as artists and health advocates.

Moms, teachers, artists

 

Her hands are busy all day, often smeared by dust, oil, or suds. But at night, colors stain her tired fingers.

Teresita Alvarez is a housewife and a mother of 4 from Novaliches. She uses recycled ecobags, cloth, and scrap paper to spread her advocacy – breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding ang best na mabibigay ng nanay sa anak. Cheap na, safe pa,” Teresita said. (Breastfeeding is the best thing mothers can give their children. It’s cheap and safe.)

She also advocates for creative meal preparations. “Kahit mura at galing sa bakuran ang pagkain, basta masustansya, kayang abutin ang tamang nutrisyon.” (Even if it’s cheap and from the backyard, as long as it’s nutritious, proper nutrition can be achieved.)

She argued that all parents are capable of properly caring for their children, but they need to learn first.

Teresita is one of the many volunteer moms serving as teachers for Nutrition and Health Kiddie Classes (NHKC), a community-based early childhood education program integrating health, nutrition, and education.

Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines (NFP), a private non-profit organization, conducts NHKC for pre-school children aged 3-4, but it also began targeting undernourished children aged 6-11, in partnership with humanitarian organization Children International (CI) Philippines.

Mothers undergo training to become “volunteer teachers.” They train children on personal hygiene, the basic concepts of food, growth, and nutrition.

The program also includes supplementary feeding and growth monitoring on regular days, as well as during disasters. “Psychological and educational support are also needed during the recovery and rehabilitation phase,” Dr Rodolfo Florentino, NFP president, said.

Reestablishing schooling can help relieve children of stress and depression, according to Florentino. He also stressed that nutrition classes should not only cater to adults, but to children as well.

The classes also teach families how to prepare and respond to disasters, in relation to
health. “Unfortunately, nutrition education, including breastfeeding, is not yet mainstream in the Philippines,” said Joel Abelinde of CI Philippines.

Advocacy, art

One mother was surprised to see her daughter’s paintings on display. “’Di ko alam na sumali siya dito, proud ako sa kanya,” Gina Casin said in between smiles. (I didn’t know that she joined this, I’m proud of her.)

The 11-year-old artist drew portraits of her favorite fruits and vegetables. “Natuto kaming kumain nang tama,” Danielle said. (We learned to eat right.) 

On the other side of the gallery was a mother surrounded by a herd of children. Her superhero dolls were very popular.

“Gumawa ako ng dolls base sa mga paboritong gulay ng mga anak ko,” Judith Tugbo, a 41-year-old mother, said. (I made dolls based on my children’s favorite vegetables.)

Judith admitted that she knew nothing about nutrition before, but now values proper diet. She and her husband plant vegetables in their backyard. “Kahit kulang sa pera, may paraan para kumain nang tama.” (Even if you lack money, there’s a way to eat right.)

She also shared how she managed to breastfeed all of her 13 children.

Among all mothers, Teresita made the most artworks. She shared how she would only find time to stitch at night, after finishing all her household chores and volunteer duties.

“Sa mga magulang, kung may oras kayo, mag-volunteer din kayo. Para makatulong at para na rin matuto kayo,” she suggested. (For parents, if you have time, volunteer. So that you can help and learn as well.)

CI Philippines hopes to encourage more families to become health advocates, especially now that the country is experiencing a series of calamities.

“Through arts, we hope to further promote nutrition. When children create art, they also develop good behavior, it takes patience, creativity. And they learn to to understand and apply what they’re painting,” Abelinde said. – Rappler.com

How can we help fight hunger? Send your stories, creative ideas, or artworks to move.ph@rappler.com. Be part of the #HungerProject.