Thrive Philippines: School Meals Change Lives

In bustling Metro Manila, Thrive’s mission comes to life every day as young children come to class eager for a day of learning and play. What’s rather special about these children is that they are among the first in their families to learn how to read, count, and write. These children come from an indigenous peoples group called the Sama Bajau.

The Sama Bajau People

The Sama Bajau, often referred to as “Sea Nomads” or “Sea Gypsies,” are a group of ethnic communities spread across Southeast Asia. Traditionally, they have lived a seaborne lifestyle, relying on small wooden sailing vessels for their homes and livelihoods. The Sama Bajau are renowned for their exceptional free-diving abilities, a skill honed over generations of living off the sea. They are predominantly found in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, with significant populations in the coastal regions of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.

Despite their rich cultural heritage, the Sama Bajau face numerous socio-economic challenges. Many live in poverty, with limited access to education and healthcare. The lack of stable employment opportunities in their traditional homelands has forced many Sama Bajau families to migrate to urban centers like Metro Manila in search of better prospects. This migration often results in families forced to bring their children to the city, thus displacing them from their home communities.

Efficient Partnerships for Impact

Thrive’s school feeding program works best in collaboration with partners that work to make education accessible to those who need it the most. In this case, Thrive partnered with the Cartwheel Foundation to serve children in the Sama Bajau Activity Center in Paranaque City in Metro Manila. Every day, Thrive Global delivers healthy, balanced meals that include fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods. These meals are carefully designed to meet the dietary needs of growing children, ensuring they receive the essential nutrients required for their physical and cognitive development.

The impact of these meals extends beyond just nutrition. For many Sama Bajau children, attending school is a challenge due to the economic pressures their families face. Crippling hunger and food insecurity are daily realities for these families, making it difficult for parents to provide regular meals. By providing daily meals, Thrive helps to alleviate some of these pressures, encouraging parents to keep their children in school rather than sending them to work or beg on the streets.

Prospects for a Brighter Future 

The journey to Metro Manila is often fraught with difficulties for Sama Bajau families. Driven by the lack of job opportunities in their coastal villages, many families save up whatever they can to make the trip to the city. They hope to find work that will allow them to send money back home and improve their living conditions. However, the reality is often harsh. Without proper documentation and skills, many Sama Bajau end up in low-paying, unstable jobs, or worse, living on the streets.

Thrive’s support helps ensure young Sama Bajau children receive nutritious meals daily, This in turn helps create a stable environment where children can focus on learning. This stability is vital for their long-term development and future prospects. With a full stomach and a mind ready to learn, these children are better equipped to break the cycle of poverty that has plagued their community for generations.

In the heart of the Sama Bajau community, Thrive daily meals are more than just food; they are a symbol of a promise of a better tomorrow. Through the commitment of supporters and funders, Thrive continues to make a difference in the lives of Sama Bajau children, one meal at a time.

Links:

• Empowering the Sama Bajau: Thrive at the Learning Center