Nanay Bibo - A women run eatery and training space

Dear friend,

I'm pleased to share updates on our Nanay Bibo project with you, a valuable friend and supporter in improving maternal health and women empowerment in Siargao. What started as the Maternal Nutrition Program in 2022 has grown to become a program of not only supporting the nutrition needs of pregnant and lactating mothers, winning regional and national awards, but also supports the holistic wellness, empowerment, and livelihood of these amazing women!

Here are a few highlights from this year:

• 155 mothers have participated in our weekly workshops 
• Over 1,500 supplemental meals have been served
• Nutrition status: Since the beginning of the year compared to third quarter, we've seen positive results in the health of children in their first 1,000 days: Normal weights have increased 2%, overweight has decreased 2%, stunted infants have decreased 1%, and obesity has decreased by 1%.
• In addition to valuable topics about maternal and infant healthcare, mothers have learned about First Aid training, Women protection and violence, post partum, mental health activities, plant based benefits and recipes. With each meal served, our team educates the moms about the nutritional benefits.
• The GlobalGiving Giving Tuesday helped us raise most funds to outfit a mother-run eatery next year!

Feedback from mothers that attend our workshops:

“It helped me a lot especially now that im pregnant because all the topics i apply it on myself, my children and family, and for the everyday life.”

“This program helps me as pregnant woman, i learn a lot, not only on pregnancy but also in breastfeeding mom. Also Physically, emotionally and spiritually.”

“I learn on how to prevent my child from sickness.”

December and looking ahead: 

Siargao Island has been declared to be in a state of calamity. Since December 1 the deep water electrical cable that provides electricity to the island has been damaged causing an island-wide electricity outage. During this difficult time we've continued to support pregnant mom's through our mother's program. The damage to the electrical cable has been identified, and we hope that electricty will be restored soon. Until then we're still in the community providing wellness for pregnant mothers. We're looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with the mothers with a special event recognizing their many talents. 

2025 begins with a joyful milestone marking 2 years of the program operating. The mothers that attended the program in 2024 will receive a certificate for graduating from the program, and share their experiences of their journey with the Maternal Empowerment program. The grant funding that supported 3-4 sessions weekly has been utilized. We'll continue to lead workshops, gather mothers and provide supplemental meals in 2025 depending on available funding from ongoing donations and our social enterprise funds. While the eatery space will be outfitted later in 2025, we will seek ways to train mothers before the space is built.

This year we began interviewing mothers in the program to intimately understand their challenges, needs, and livelihood interests. In 2025 we will continue this initiative to provide the best support we can.

Why this work is so important:

8 in every 100 children in the Caraga region (of which Siargao Island is a part) already suffer from malnutrition. The effects of malnutrition are irreversible after two years, impacting the rest of their lives. 

"Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities, and they improve prospects for the next generation. Still, despite solid evidence demonstrating the centrality of women’s empowerment to realizing human rights, reducing poverty, promoting development and addressing the world’s most urgent challenges, gender equality remains an unfulfilled promise. - UNFPA"

Supporting the first 1,000 days of a mother and child's pregnancy journey, and beyond set the foundation for uplifting their opportunities, allowing them to achieve their highest potential (child and mother.) 

Thank you for being partners in improving women empowerment, maternal and child care in Siargao!