Nourishing Futures: Strengthening Communities with School Nutrition Programs

SDN Landasan Ulin Barat, Indonesia

For years, Ms Lorian L. Guanio, Principal of Patiis Elementary School in the Philippines, envisioned serving nutritious meals to her students – many of whom come from families with limited resources or knowledge about proper nutrition. Today, her dream is becoming a reality through the Promotion of Well-being in Schools in Southeast Asia Project, a regional initiative supported by Chevron and the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN), and implemented by the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for Sustainability (SEAMEO SEPS).

“I wish and dream of giving all of the 650 pupils (at my school) nutritious food that will support them in their daily activities in school. We will be serving nutritious breakfast to start their day right, every day,” Ms.Guanio said.

Focusing on the direct correlation between children’s well-being and learning, Ms Guanio’s school received a grant of USD 3,000 to implement its six-month plan to improve her students’ nutritional lifestyles, by providing free nutritious meals for students, workshops with parents and collaborations with local communities.“We hope the healthy lifestyles will last beyond the six-month period,” she said. Five other schools from across Southeast Asia have also received grants through the Promotion of Well-being in Schools in Southeast Asia Project. Launched in June 2024, the project provided online training for schools serving vulnerable and underprivileged children, followed by a selection process for proposals from Southeast Asian schools. These proposals integrate the One Health approach and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy.

Patiis Elementary School, Philippines 

Ban Pangmahan School, Thailand with a plan to educate food handlers about proper food preparation and to train their students, who are mostly from minority groups and hill tribe families, to keep their canteen clean and in line with hygiene standards. “Food quality directly impacts students’ health,” said School Director Mr. Danaiwat Manee.

Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih, Malaysia which aims to empower students as Health Heroes by organising family cooking contests and initiatives to improve eating habits.

Sekolah Rendah Pehin Dato Jamil, Brunei Darussalam that is taking steps to promote healthy eating, reduce food waste, and connect the community through its Farm to School Meal Lunch program.

Ban Pangmahan School. Chiang Rai, Thailand

SD Negeri 2 Ulin Barat, Indonesia that is launching a nutritional education campaign with workshops, a herbalist club, and a healthy food menu app. All of their initiatives support sustainable agriculture.

Smet Primary School, Cambodia which aims to tackle malnutrition head-on, closely monitoring students Body Mass Index (BMI), and working with health professionals to ensure lasting change.

SEAMEO SEPS has also contributed one additional special grant to the Aroyama Border Patrol Police School in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Ms Duriya Amatavivat, Director of SEAMEO SEPS said this was to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the school. The special grant recognises the school’s deep understanding of the local Black Lahu ethnic community and its efforts to engage them to tackle malnutrition, food security and sustainability.

Smet Primary School, Cambodia

The school plans to develop a lunch menu using produce that comes from its own as well as local farms. Teachers and coaches will help promote sustainable farming, proper food preservation and processing too to ensure ingredients are of good quality. “With this approach, we won’t have to source ingredients from faraway. Our costs will be lower, and local communities will become stronger,” Pol. Lt. Col. Dechavat Vongvai, the principal of Aroyama Border Patrol Police School stated.

Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih, Malaysia

Ms. Zamira Kanapyanova, Chevron’s General Manager of Corporate Affairs for Eurasia Pacific, congratulated the winners at the 47th SEAMEO High Officials Meeting in November 2024 and commended them on their efforts saying that “The award that you received today is something that you really deserve, for all the work that you have done for your communities.”

Dr. Tongkorn Meeyam, Executive Director of SEAOHUN, expressed her excitement about implementing the winning proposals and encouraged all to share their experiences to overcome challenges. She stated that “This project allows SEAOHUN to extend its impact beyond universities, inspiring healthier communities among younger generations.”