Community Development Programs

Our programs are focused on health and nutrition, skills training and livelihood, and parenting seminars and values formation for the communities we work with in Taguig and Paranaque City.

Our Past and Current Partners

Health and Nutrition

FIT FOR LIFE

The Fit for Life program is a school-based health, nutrition, and wellness education initiative designed to provide health lessons for students at Mano Amiga Academy. Additionally, it offers a series of training and workshops for mothers in Mano Amiga communities.

In 2023, a total of 37 parents participated in the workshops, with 76% committing to becoming Parent Health Ambassadors after successfully completing the program. The program reached 74 students from Kinder to Grade 4 at Mano Amiga Academy, enhancing their awareness of health and nutrition practices through topics such as WASH, disease prevention, and nutrition during their Health classes.

  • "Ang pinaka-nakatatak sa aking isip sa lahat ng sessions na na-attendan ko po ay ang Nutrisyon 101 sapagkat ito ay nakatulong para mapagsilbihan at mahainan ko ang aking pamilya ng wasto, sapat at masustansyang pagkain na kaya ng bulsa. Naniniwala din po ako na Health is Wealth kaya sa pamamagitan ng wastong pagkain ay maiiwasan namin ang mga sakit."

    Parent Health Ambassador

Skills Training and Livelihood

SKILLS FOR SUCCESS

Skills for Success, an initiative by Mano Amiga Philippines in partnership with Unilever and Shopee, aims to empower small businesses to thrive in the new normal. The program provided access to small cash grants, business skills training, mentorships, and e-commerce support.

Since 2021, 63 local entrepreneurs have received training and mentorship on various topics, including cash flow management, branding, digital content strategies, and disaster resilience. By the end of 2023, the program has made a significant impact, benefitting 1,024 lives through its dedicated support of small businesses.

  • "Cactus and Canvas was chosen for SFS at the time we needed it the most. By the time the workshops were rolled out, our second shop was also in the works and it was literally a helping hand. I couldn't think of a better time. I am grateful for the generosity of Mano Amiga and the kindness of its staff and trainers. The learnings I got from our mentors are a good foundation to how we will sustain our operations and expand our businesses. I wish there's a longer program where we can continue to learn the technical and soft skills to become better entrepreneurs."

    Ros, Cactus and Canvas

BISTRO CAFE

The Feed The World Livelihood Inc, more known as Bistro Cafe, is the official social enterprise arm of Mano Amiga. Since it started, the cafe has benefitted over 200 individuals by providing training opportunities and offering direct employment to parents of Mano Amiga scholars, who work as crew and maintenance staff. Until 2020, 100% of the profits earned by the cafe went directly to Mano Amiga’s scholarship fund.

Despite the closure of the cafe during the pandemic, a limited number of parents continued to be employed as part of the school’s maintenance and administrative staff.

In 2023, Bistro Cafe reopened with a new focus — to serve as an affordable and accessible space for parents with small businesses to independently sell their products. This transformation aims to boost their income and enhance their capacity to provide for their families.

Parenting Seminar and Values Formation

KINAIYA Mental Health Workshop

Last November 4, 2022, She Talks Asia in partnership with Charriol Philippines launched the Kinaiya Mental Health and Wellness Workshop for the mothers of Mano Amiga. 

During the session, the guest speakers affirmed and reminded the participants that it’s important to be gentle on oneself and to take a break or rest for their mental health and well-being. The mothers showed support for each other as sharing of experiences with mom guilt were exchanged. They also learned breathing exercises they can do during stressful situations as the workshop ended.

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