Sun Life Foundation launches urban gardening initiative to combat undernutrition among students

MANILA, PH – (January 24, 2024) - The Sun Life Foundation recently launched an urban gardening program at Comembo Elementary School as part of the Tulong Eskwela project, an initiative in partnership with AHA Learning Center that provides quality education to student-beneficiaries.

The urban garden aims to support the school’s feeding program to help combat undernourishment among the students. It also aims to encourage parents to start the practice at home.

“Aside from providing opportunities to learn, we also want to look after the welfare and holistic health of our student-beneficiaries,” Sun Life Foundation Executive Director Kristine Millete said. “This initiative can help provide them with more sustenance in a more sustainable way.”

During the launch, Comembo Elementary School also hosted “Palarong Pinoy” where students, teachers, and parent-leaders played traditional Filipino games together with Millete and Sun Life executives, including Sun Life Philippines CEO & Country Head and Sun Life Foundation Chairman Benedict Sison, Sun Life Foundation President Alex Narciso, and other members of the Sun Life Philippine Leadership Team. Sun Life Global President & CEO Kevin Strain, who was also in town from Canada, made sure to join the launch and festivities as well.

Meanwhile, the students, parent-leaders, and teachers received gift packs just in time for the holiday season. The event culminated with a scrumptious boodle fight feast.

Tulong Eskwela is a flagship education program of AHA Learning Center. The Sun Life Foundation partnered with AHA Learning Center in 2020 to support teachers, students, and parents pivot towards distance and hybrid learning setup during the pandemic. Since its launch, it has aided thousands of beneficiaries and has helped ease the challenges of learning in a post-pandemic environment.