Would you like to become a ❝Pen Pal Supporter❞?
Since 1999, when Free The Children Japan (FTCJ) was founded, we have partnered with the Preda Foundation, a local NGO in the Philippines. The partnership aims to help relocate displaced or abused children and develop their independence.
FTCJ also aims to help rural Filipino communities overcome poverty, thereby preventing children from being exposed to such negative influences.
High rates of low birth weight in the Aeta Community
Through FTCJ’s preliminary fieldwork of Filipino rural communities, it was found that roughly 80% of the children were considered underweight at birth, which indicated that the majority of mothers lacked proper nutrition, preventing their fetuses from developing properly. Furthermore, many children reported eating only one full meal a day, also hindering their physical development. Another prevalent issue within the community was poor school attendance. Children would often skip school to work, generating extra income to support their families.
It is important to note that the significance of supporting Aeta communities.
The Aetas are one of the Philippines’ 110 indigenous communities. Filipino indigenous communities are more vulnerable to poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, and other challenges due to the historical discrimination that has hindered their access to social services as well as economic and political opportunities (UNOPS, 2022).
Improving Students’ Nutrition and Rates of School Continuation
At FTCJ, we believe that every child has the right to proper nutrition and the opportunity to complete their education. Through research, we have found that lunch programs can combat child malnutrition and ensure they have enough energy to concentrate on their schoolwork.
To achieve this, FTCJ partnered with Preda’s nearby community to teach young girls, former abuse victims, to make nutritional bread. This is served to the Aeta children as a part of their lunch program meals. The act of baking is also thought to be a form of occupational and vocational therapy, which also teaches the girls practical life skills.
Since 2025, FTCJ has hosted study tours for Japanese donors to visit the Aeta community, an area which can be difficult to visit independently. During the study tour, participants meet with the children and work in the kitchen alongside the young girls.
Would you like to become a ❝Pen Pal Supporter❞?
FTCJ and the Preda Foundation would like to continue feeding Aeta school children to improve their nutrition and school attendance rates. Therefore, we are looking for people who would like to support this activity. We would be very happy if you could help us!
We are recruiting “Pen Pal Supporters”!
As a Pen Pal Supporter, you will be able to support our bread distribution activities while corresponding with children at the elementary school we support via letter twice a year.
How to apply： Please use the application form here.
English Flyer of Pen Pal Supporter
Reference:
United Nations Office for Project Services. (2022). Towards inclusion for indigenous peoples in the Philippines. UNOPS. https://www.unops.org/news-and-stories/stories/towards-inclusion-for-indigenous-peoples-in-the-philippines
Written by Internee of FTCJ
Hello! I’m Marty, FTCJ’s newest intern. I grew up in the Philippines, but now I’m based in Japan for university. I’m currently studying sustainable development. I love scuba diving and all kinds of animals. I look forward to working with everyone FTCJ!
初めまして。私はマティーです。FTCJの新しいインターンです。フィリピンから来ました。今、日本の大学で「持続可能な開発」について勉強中です。スキューバダイビングとあらゆる種類の動物が大好きです。FTCJの皆さんと一緒に働くことを楽しみにしています！