by Hanna Libre, RSW

#BountifulChildrensFoundation, #DSWDCertified, #FightMalnutrition, #FilipinoHealth, #LightTheWorld

A New Chapter in Our Mission to End Child Malnutrition in the Philippines

Today, we’re celebrating a historic step forward for the children and families we serve in the Philippines! On October 18, 2024, Bountiful Children’s Foundation – Philippines (BCF-P) was officially certified as an Auxiliary Social Welfare and Development Agency (SWDA) by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)↗. This recognition opens new doors for our organization and reinforces the promise we’ve made to communities across the country: to fight child malnutrition and help build a brighter future for every child.

2-minute video featuring Dr. Cristie Deyro, MD
who is the president of Bountiful Children’s Foundation – Philippines

Why This Certification Matters

This certification and License to Operate is not just a credential; it’s a gateway to greater impact. As an official partner of DSWD, we’re now better equipped to collaborate with government and local groups to address malnutrition at its roots. This endorsement strengthens our ability to reach children who need us most, mobilize resources, and broaden the scope of our work, empowering families and communities to break the cycle of malnutrition and poverty.

What It Took to Earn This Recognition

Gaining certification was a journey of dedication, perseverance, and collaboration. Every program, policy, and initiative at BCF-P underwent thorough evaluation to meet government standards in transparency, accountability, and service quality. These standards are documented in our approved Operations Manual, which serves as the comprehensive repository of our vision, mission, goals, objectives, policies and procedures. From our field volunteers conducting health screenings to our administrative staff ensuring program integrity, this accomplishment belongs to every team member, partner, and volunteer who believes in the power of nutrition and community to change lives.

Programs Making a Difference: Our Core Initiatives

At BCF-P, we believe that well-nourished children are the foundation of thriving communities. Our programs focus on sustainable health practices, family empowerment, and holistic development:

• Family MUAC Project: By training caregivers to assess children’s health using MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) screenings, we empower families to monitor and act on signs of malnutrition early. This hands-on approach fosters a community where each parent is equipped to protect their child’s health.
• Supplementation and Education: Providing nutrient-dense foods and essential health education, we focus on the critical first 1,000 days of life, a time when malnutrition can lead to lifelong consequences. Through workshops and food distribution, we help families understand and prioritize nutrition during this crucial period.
• Cognitive Stimulation and Responsive Care: We know that good health goes hand-in-hand with early mental stimulation and responsive caregiving. By encouraging holistic child development, we lay the groundwork for resilient, capable future generations.

In the coming years, we’re aiming to expand these programs to reach even more communities, enhancing our services and introducing new initiatives to further improve child health outcomes.

How You Can Join Our Mission

This certification is a win for every child, every caregiver, and every community we support. Here’s how you can get involved and help us make a lasting difference:

• Share Our Story: Spread the word about our journey! Every share helps us reach new audiences and bring awareness to the issues we’re tackling in child health and nutrition.

• Volunteer Locally: Join us in the field, and see firsthand how a small effort can make a big difference. Health screenings, food distributions, and children’s activities—these are just a few ways volunteers make an impact.
• Volunteer Internationally: Join a global community of compassionate individuals dedicated to making a difference for Filipino children in need. From the comfort of your home, you can collaborate in a vibrant, supportive virtual workspace, contributing your unique skills and talents to help transform young lives. Together, our international volunteers are proving that distance is no barrier to creating meaningful impact.
• Donate Books for the Children: Help us give the gift of reading to a child in need!↗ This holiday season, we’re hoping to gift 3,000 age-appropriate children’s books to the children we’re serving. Each book is a gift of learning and joy.
• Contribute Financially: Your donation counts!↗ By supporting our work financially, you directly fund programs that reach children and families who rely on us for nutrition, education, and health resources.

Visit Our New Philippines Webpages

All of our webpages have been redesigned and are now bilingual. Start your journey here!

Our Heartfelt Thanks

None of this would have been possible without our incredible supporters—our volunteers, coordinators, board members, government partners, donors, and the communities that inspire us every day. This certification is more than a badge of recognition; it’s a testament to the power of people coming together with one shared purpose. Together, we’re changing lives, ending child malnutrition, and creating a healthier, brighter future for generations to come.

Let’s celebrate this achievement and continue working side by side toward our goal of a world where every child can grow, thrive, and dream. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. The future is bright, and it starts with all of us.