Mangan: Malnutrition

Observation Among
Badjao Kids
Proponents:

Cadondon, Reianna Dehrin L. Collett, Kathlyn Mae

Galang, Mei Elijade U. Matias, Althea Charlene P.

April 17, 2023

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 I. Introduction

The Sea Gypsies, commonly known as “Badjaos” are primarily found in Basilan

and Tawi-Tawi areas. They were located near the shore or along the sea. It is where they obtain

their daily needs—through fishing and other water-related labor. But due to the war between a

terrorist group and the government army in September 2013, they were displaced and went to

different parts of Luzon for their safety.

Doing so, Badjaos faced the modernity of urban places, which resulted in them seeking

alms along the street. In Region III, it is evident that this ethnic group is prominent. They are

seen on the sidewalks, streets, and even roads begging for money or food. They are somehow

new to the environment; coming from the sea, they tried to find hope in the upper part of the

country yet were faced with another struggle. Badjaos’ presence in the aforementioned places

began to raise concern among the people, specifically a concern for the children, who are also

sacrificing and begging to provide for their families. Their actions also raised complaints from

people who encountered them in jeepneys and on the roads. With this, the proponents propose

the project “Mangan: Malnutrition Observation Among Badjao Kids” a feeding program for

Badjaos seen on the streets of Angeles City, Pampanga.

This project will provide sustainable and enough nutrition for the children to prevent

malnutrition. This will also help them be educated about the importance of caring for their

health. Through the given data the proponents along with the barangay officials will be able to

identify if the children are suited to go to school and help them become productive members of

society.

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II. Project Description

A. Goals and Objectives

The proponents aim to attain their overall goal of reducing hunger, improving nutrition,

and ensuring healthy lives for Badjao children, in alignment with the sustainable development

goals. They will focus on the following objectives:

1. To reduce hunger, improve food insecurity, and the nutrition of Badjao children.

Thus, providing food and water resources for the children.

2. To discourage child labor practices and exploitation.

3. To lessen the amount of Badjao children begging for alms in jeepneys and streets.

4. To empower and encourage them to become productive members of society. Thus,

the proponents aim to break the stereotypes associated with their identities.

B. Stakeholders/Beneficiaries

The proponents assume that these are the beneficiaries of the project:

1. Badjao children- The project's direct beneficiaries will be children ages 1 to 12.

They will receive enough food and water to last daily. Alongside proper vitamins

and BMI monitoring, the proponents will collaborate closely with barangay

officials to monitor their health. The data collected is used to determine whether

they are healthy enough to pursue their studies. As a result, local government

units will also assist them with the application. Eventually, this results in fewer

children who are out-of-school-youth.

2. Commuters- The passengers of public transportation like jeepneys will no longer

see them as a potential threat to their safety. Thus, lessening the complaints about

their frequent alms begging breaks their stereotype against Badjaos.

3. Local Government Units and Government Officials- Local government officials

will benefit from this plan because it can assist them in gathering information for

future projects, enabling them to run programs more effectively. Additionally, it

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 could help them to start an action plan or project dedicated to the frequent

displacement and relocation of indigenous people.

4. National Commission on Indigenous People- They will benefit from this project

since it supports their mission and purpose. Furthermore, it will help protect the

rights, interests, and well-being of the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs)

and Indigenous Peoples (IPs). This project could help them establish themselves

in the city. Aiming to empower their tribe, this will hopefully break stereotypes

and prejudice regarding their kind. It will open opportunities. Thus, allowing them

to grow, learn, and adapt to the city.

5. Future proponents- Future proponents will be able to utilize this project as a basis

or source. They will be able to get insights and ideas to further improve their

project. Additionally, it can help them improve certain areas where they think it

lacks the most and create a successful project.

III. Methodology

1. Choosing a community

During this, the proponents will scout and research Badjaos near the area. They

will be gathering necessary information from the community, along with some of their

history in dealing with the displacement of Badjaos. Additionally, the proponents will be

constructing a checklist for the requirements needed for permit purposes.

2. Permits and Requirements

The proponents will prepare the documents needed for the project and records to

be initiated. For this step, they will gather and collect all the paperwork along with the

initial project proposal and description.

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3. Participant’s Consent form.

Before conducting a program, the proponents will ask the parents or legal

guardians of the participants to sign the consent form. If guardians or parents are not

present, the participants will give them an assent form. It is a special type of consent form

designed to indicate that the minor is willing to participate in the study. Additionally, the

proponents will explain the project thoroughly to avoid misunderstandings and

miscommunications.

4. Initial weigh-in and body mass index assessment

After choosing a community, the proponents will conduct an initial weigh-in and

body mass index assessment to construct a record to use as a basis. The records will also

be explained to their parents, along with any risks that their child may have.

5. Creating a plan

In this step, the proponents will now create a concrete plan based on their

observations and findings on how they will improve the health of the Badjao children.

They will be closely working with the barangay health officials to gain further knowledge

and understanding of the health needs of the children.

6. Seeking donations and volunteers

Following the creation of the plan, the proponents will use the internet and social

media to advertise and solicit funding for the undertaking. Oral transmissions of the

initiative will also be started to spread the information publicly with the aid of friends and

family. For people who wish to donate but are far from the proponent's base location,

they will integrate an online donation link. To prolong the project they will also seek

funding from government agencies, private organizations, and non-government

organizations. For the application of volunteers, social media will be their main platform

to share the goals of the project. Thus, the proponents will be posting volunteer listing

applications that can be answered via google forms.

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7. Orientation

A week after the donation is made, the proponents will visit the area to advise the

locals of the plan they are about to implement once the plan, data, and financing have

been created and polished. This is done to inform the community of the project's goal as

well as to make them aware of the project's proponents and volunteers.

8. Conducting the feeding program

The feeding program will take place the next day after orientation. Using this,

volunteers will cook or prepare the nutritious meals that they will feed the kids while the

orientation is taking place. The volunteers will provide the youngster’s meals or snacks at

the program that they can take home. This will last for 8 to 9 months.

9. Monitoring

To better understand the food the kids need to develop a healthy body, the

proponents will examine the kids' weight and BMI monthly.

10. Documentation

To ensure transparency of the initiative and show that the funds were spent for a

worthy cause, documentation of the project will be taken every week during the feeding

program. The images will be published on the recently made social media page to further

encourage additional contributors to contribute to the initiative.

11. Evaluation

The proponents will gather feedback from the recipients via a survey at the

project's conclusion to see whether the effort was successful and whether the

neighborhood has benefited. Following this phase, the proponents will be able to assess

whether their objectives have been met.

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III. Gantt Chart/Timetable

Process/Steps 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1. Choosing a community

2. Permits and Requirements

3. Participant’s Consent Form

4. Initial weigh-in and body mass index

5. Creating a plan

6. Seeking donations and volunteers

7. Orientation

8. Conducting the feeding program

9. Monitoring

10. Documentation

11. Evaluation

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IV. Conclusion

Hunger can have an immediate impact on an individual's metabolism, especially in

children, who have a slow metabolism and are constantly developing. According to our

reliable sources, the Badjaos are currently experiencing hunger, urging proponents to develop

the concept of “Mangan: Malnutrition Observation Among Badjao Kids”, a feeding program

for them that aims to prevent malnutrition. The proponents' planned project will benefit the

chosen community, commuters, local government units, government officials, the National

Commission on Indigenous People, and future proponents by utilizing the provided solutions

that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bounded. This project will

provide adequate nutrition for the children while also educating them on the importance of

maintaining their health, making it significant. Therefore, implementing effective solutions

can smoothly reduce the hunger of the Badjao children.

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 VII. References

Dator, L. A., Reyes, J., & San Pedro, A. B. (2018, January). Live Experiences of Badjao* Street

Children in Cabanatuan City, Philippines: A Phenomenological Approach. Open Access Library

Journal, 5(1). 10.4236/oalib.1104264

Guadalquiver, N. (2018, December 14). Badjaos begging for alms rounded up in Bacolod.

Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1056663

IPL.org. (n.d.). Badjao: The Marginalization Of Indigenous People In The... IPL.org. Retrieved

March 26, 2023, from https://www.ipl.org/essay/Badjao-The-Marginalization-Of-Indigenous-

People-In-P3P9QBH4AJFR

Sabalza, G. (2019, November 21). Badjaos told risks of begging in Tacloban streets. Philippine

News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1086594