JCI Manileña Supports the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UNMDG)
Part of the Junior Chamber International’s active citizen framework is the response to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals that have been signified in a UN summit as a global action plan for countries with communities afflicted with these pressing issues. These are initiatives against poverty, hunger and disease, majorly asserting to accelerate progress on women’s and children’s health. A number of Heads of State and Government from developed and developing countries, where Philippines is one, along with the private sector, foundations, international organizations such as JCI, civil society and research organizations, pledged and conveyed their commitment to meet these goals.
January has been identified by JCI Philippines as the UNMDG month. Each JCI chapter in the Philippines has celebrated this through the implementation of several projects that fulfill each of the eight (8) UN Millennium Development Goals. JCI Manileña took part in this year’s celebration through a series of its UNMDG projects and programs held at its adopted community, Happyland in Tondo, Manila last January 31, 2015, benefiting 150 residents (majority of which were kids).
JCI Manileña has been equipped with a strong action plan characterized by numerous programs that fulfill its commitment to the UNMDG. Busog Lusog Program, Mas Healthy Mas Happy (Feeding Program), Bata Ay Masaya sa Bitamina A, and Maternal Medical Missions, now on their second year, have been prominent, resulting to the organization’s contribution on the health issues of Happyland and Gawad Kalinga (GK) Onyx in Manila.
“Busog Lusog Program”, is one of JCI Manileña’s adopted projects with JCI Alaminos Coramblan in 2014. Successful implementations and the very challenge of expected effective results brought about the continuous course of the program through 2015. This year, JCI Manileña aims to see health development through the promotion of milk benefits that consequentially responds to health issues on children. Along with this, the “Bata Ay Masaya sa Bitamina A”, has been chosen as a parallel project to the milk benefits awareness campaign, to spread cognizance on the importance and preventive benefits of Vitamin A against Malaria and other diseases. It also perpetuates the concept of “prevention is better than cure” across women and children who are commonly victims of severe health conditions.
Another UNMDG program of JCI Manileña is the “WeCare: Mother and Child”, a series of medical missions, which aim to support children and mothers with their health-related needs. Furthermore, Mas Healthy Mas Happy Year 2 (Feeding Program) comes last as a culminating activity that generally promotes that good health is attainable through proper eating habits and right choice of food and is also a move to create awareness on fighting hunger. Although it is a crucial matter for a community like Happyland, providing examples of the right kind of food is a step they can take to gradually sustain good health amongst young children and their families.
Along with these programs are JCI Manileña and UNESCO Philippines’ Girl Rising, a global campaign on women’s right to education as a vital instrument towards a better future that exponentially addresses the issues mainly posed in the UNMD Goals; and lastly, the World Water Day Project and Beach Clean-up Drive as our contribution to ensure environmental sustainability.
JCI Manileña takes part to this commitment and continuously aspires to achieve their goals for the few months left before the UN Summit 2015 in the hope of bringing depressed communities to developing communities. With its direction of turning small projects into sustainable programs, it does not only dream to have a developing community but also sees through a sustainable community in the future. JCI Manileña’s aspirations are rooted to this –come September 2015 in the UN Summit, all UN Member States will gather to consolidate high-level results and exemplify the collective efforts succeeded as a preparation to a new set of adopted Goals to be built on the achievements of these UNMDGs.