Project 90 Aims to Improve Physical Wellness of Children in Imus Cavite

Project 90, a 3-month long program of the Primary (Children's) Organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in partnership with the Welfare and Self-Reliance Services (WSRS), finally comes to an end on July 23, 2022, with 14 recipients from all wards (congregations) of the Imus Philippines Stake (diocese). The project aimed to improve the physical wellness of selected children by distributing milk and vitamins from April until June 2022.

Sister Kristina Lou Nobles, Stake Primary President, handed tokens to recipients of nourishment that primary kids received during the commencement program. The giving of milk and vitamins was successfully rolled out to those undernourished kids, which is determined by measuring their BMI, weight, and height.

Dr. Ferdinand Mina, Imus City Health Officer, generously provided his insights and appreciation to Imus Philippines Stake for spearheading the project. He lauded the efforts exerted by the team of Director Joshua Senit Iliw-Iliw. He said, "Among the religious organizations and NGOs that mostly focused on a medical mission, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Imus Philippines Stake is the first to initiate this kind of project." Dr. Mina also pointed out the importance of nourishment, which has been a significant factor in improving children's memory or neurological aspects, especially in slum areas, based on the studies conducted. He wished that the program would continue and that the community would benefit from considering the well-being of children.
Joshua Figueroa of the Stake High Council introduced the different programs offered by WSR classes: Life Skills, Starting and Growing My Business (SGMB), Personal Finances, My Education for Better Work, and Academy for Creating Enterprise (ACE) Imus Chapter that was newly created for the benefit of Imus residents. He also introduced BYU Pathway & English Connect course. The program courses of the Church welcomed members and nonmembers in the community.

Luna Mari, a member of Imus 2nd ward (congregation) whose 9-year-old daughter benefited from Project 90, expressed, "I'm so grateful for the blessing we received from the Church. As a mother, I want my daughter to be healthy, but sometimes it's a struggle to make her eat healthy food like vegetables. So I am thankful for Project 90 for helping my daughter Lents get the nutrition she needs."

In his concluding message, Stake President Andy Nestor Pazon emphasized, "There's great importance in giving healthy food or 'lutong bahay' and drinking water before going to school to improve the analytical cognitive function of children solving math problems." He even cited his dissertations. He stressed that God gave the Law of Health in our best interest. He also mentioned that eating fast foods can make us overweight and thus encouraged every member to become healthy by choosing the right food for our kids who will become future generations.