The Young Focus Child Care Center is pivotal in these programs: 25 children are cared for in the center, and 40 more children are fed daily in the feeding project.
Each morning the 25 children are brought in and are bathed by their own mothers. This gives them the chance to get used to their surroundings. Then, after the mothers have left, the children are fed by the Young Focus team.
The meals are a balanced source of nutrition, based on the advice and according to the standards of the National Nutrition Council in the Philippines. Young Focus is working closely with them for technical support and networking. The Young Focus Child Care staff have been trained in putting together the ingredients of the children’s meals.
After eating, it is time to play or sleep, regularly interrupted by the necessary diaper change. The team also does exercises with the children to stimulate dexterity. The children have a second meal later in the day.
The Center also provides the mothers with training and education on health, hygiene and nutrition. Mothers-to-be from the garbage dump are given prenatal assistance, to try to help prevent malnourishment among newborns. Immediately after birth babies need nutrition and care. It is at this point that mistakes are often made or a baby becomes ill because of infections.
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