15 LITERS OF MILK TOTAL FROM HUMAN MILK DRIVE BY WOMEN’S FEDERATION

Nurturing infants and children through Human Milk Drive Donation

In an effort to continue empowering women and mothers, the Manolo Fortich Women’s Federation (MFWF) channels its advocacy through the annual Human Milk Drive activity, inviting breastfeeding mothers in Manolo Fortich to donate their breast milk for a greater purpose: nurturing infants and children in need.

The Human Milk Drive is one of the initiatives organized by the MFWF, in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), as part of the International Women’s Month Celebration held in March. The event took place at the Municipal Gymnasium on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, and was attended by mothers from various barangays of Manolo Fortich.

“Usa kini sa mga proyekto sa Women’s Federation sa Manolo Fortich nga may dakong tinguha, ang pagtabang sa ubang inahan nga naglisod ug sa mga bata aron mahimong himsog ang panglawas pinaagi sa gatas sa suso. Daghang salamat sa tanan,” says MFWF President Nena B. Vallecera as she welcomes and expresses gratitude to the mothers present at the event.

Successful donors received 5 kilograms of rice and a bowl of Arroz Caldo prepared by the MFWF. A total of 114 mothers participated and donated breast milk. Personnel from the Municipal Nutrition Office (MNO), led by Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Rikkie Mae B. Lucero, assisted all mothers using electric breast pumps in the provided breastfeeding corners. In total, 15,570 liters of human milk were collected, as calculated by the MNO.

Kristie Lou Olango from Barangay Dalirig, a mother of 5 and a proud donor, recognizes the health benefits of breast milk. She shares her positive view on human milk donation, “Maayo kay makadonar aron makatabang pud sa ubang mama nga walay gatas… Daghan kaayo’g nutrisyon ang gatas sa suso. Ang mga bata nga nag-umang, dili kaayo sila magkasakit ug himsog gyud sila. Salamat nga aduna silay programa ingon ani kay dako kaayo’g tabang sa mga mama ug makahatag og nutrisyon sa mga bata.”

Furthermore, the Human Milk Drive activity encourages growth and health among the children of Manolo Fortich. It also fosters and promotes a community of motherhood where breastfeeding mothers come together to support one another. It is an avenue where no mother and child are left behind.

The donated 15,570 liters of breast milk will be preserved in the Manolo Fortich Milk Hub, managed by the MNO under the LGU of Manolo Fortich. The Milk Hub is located in Calanawan, Barangay Tankulan, Manolo Fortich. Interested beneficiaries in dire need of infant or child nutrition can claim it for free after passing the necessary evaluation by the MNO.