Nutritional Education Advocacy

Nestle Philippines Promoting Healthy Dietary Habits

Nestlé's commitment to promoting healthy dietary habits is supported by educational awareness campaigns that aim to give people a better grasp of what good nutrition is and its importance for the achievement of good health and overall wellness. 

Launched in 2006 by milk brand BEAR BRAND Powdered Milk Drink, the LAKI SA GATAS initiative aims to educate Philippine public school communities on the value of healthy nutrition and the importance of drinking milk. More than just being educational, this advocacy at its very core seeks to empower public school kids, mums, teachers and educators alike that through balanced health and education— realising one’s dreams and ambitions are possible.

“LAKI SA GATAS”, loosely translated as “Growing Up with Milk”, was born out of the reality of low milk consumption and the increasing number of prevalent cases of malnutrition amongst Filipino children in the lower socio-economic classes.

 

Now on its 4th year, the LAKI SA GATAS advocacy has visited over 2,700 schools across the country and has reached out to more than 1,2 million school children, over half-a-million mothers and nearly 24,000 educators. This year the advocacy is stronger than ever rolling out to more public school communities with new and exciting innovations that seek to further engage advocacy participants.

LAKI SA GATAS, June 2009 - March 2010

As each LAKI SA GATAS session in a school has 3 major event components—kids, mums and teachers sessions—all components this school year have been prepared to be more educational, fun, and engaging.

In the Children’s Session, grades 2 and 3 pupils are treated to fun and learning activities to help them understand healthy nutrition. They are likewise entertained by BEAR BRAND Powdered Milk Drink mascots, “Mama Bear” and “Kuya Bear” (big brother bear).

 

The highlight of this session is to encourage children's ambitions. They are given blank paper where they can draw the ambitions they would want to pursue when they grow up. The drawings will serve as a reminder that a healthy mind and body can help them achieve their dreams.

Right: an 8-year old participant draws a picture of an architect.

 

In the Mothers’ Session, the participants are lectured on how to prepare healthy and affordable meals for their families. Mothers are also encouraged to serve their children milk everyday as a means to help give their children the nutrition they need to help them perform well in school.

Educators, meanwhile, are trained on how to address malnutrition in their classes during the Teachers’ Session. They are given tips on how to make teaching healthy nutrition more fun and engaging for children.

Through this programme, we hope to reestablish the value of milk and its vital role and importance for the health of Filipino families across the country..