Seven years ago, a little girl named “Anna” was born. She carries a story far greater than her years. A story of pain, perseverance, and the unwavering power of collective care.
Born prematurely, she entered the world fragile and fighting for survival.
Her early years were marked by constant medical struggles after she was diagnosed with an orthopedic condition that eventually led to the amputation of her right leg.
For most children, learning to walk is a natural milestone. For Anna, it became a battle fought with courage far beyond her age.
Despite surgeries and physical limitations, Anna learned to move forward. Yet while she slowly regained mobility through medical interventions, another silent struggle threatened her health – malnutrition.
When Anna was enrolled at the Child Development Center during School Year 2022โ2023, she became part of the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga.
At first, her nutritional status appeared manageable. But as the feeding cycle progressed, her weight steadily declined.
After 120 feeding days, Anna was assessed as severely underweight, placing her among the children most in need of urgent intervention under Weight Efforts on Children in Need for Assistance, Rehabilitation and Enrichment or the Project WE CARE of SFP.
Her family, burdened by financial hardship, struggled daily to survive. Her mother, Sanelyn, worked as a Job Order employee in their Local Government Unit, stretching a modest income to provide for five children. While she worked tirelessly each day, the children were often left in the care of relatives.
Yet amid poverty, uncertainty, and physical pain, Anna remained full of life.
Neighbors would often see her laughing with other children, attending school with determination, and finding joy in simple moments. Beneath her small frame was a resilient spirit refusing to surrender.
Recognizing the severity of her condition, the DSWD social worker, together with local stakeholders, mobilized immediate intervention through Project WE CARE.
A multi-sectoral team composed of barangay officials, health workers, nutrition scholars, child development workers, and partner agencies came together to support Anna and her family.
For 120 days, Anna received sustained feeding support under the Supplementary Feeding Program, alongside close nutritional monitoring conducted by the Barangay Nutrition Scholar, Barangay Health Worker, Child Development Worker, and her own parents.
Her family also attended nutrition counseling sessions to strengthen proper feeding practices at home.
But the interventions did not stop there.
To address her mobility needs, Anna was referred for medical consultation and treatment at Tebow Cure Center in Davao City.
Through the assistance of the DSWD Satellite Office in Agusan del Sur, she was provided with a prosthetic leg that gave her renewed confidence and independence.
Transportation assistance from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) enabled the family to travel for her operation and medical appointments. The barangay health center continuously supported her recovery through vitamins and health supplements.
Meanwhile, the Davao Jubilee Foundation is committed to covering all expenses related to adjustments and maintenance of Annaโs prosthetic leg until she reaches 18 years old, ensuring that her journey toward mobility continues uninterrupted.
As support from various sectors poured in, Annaโs world slowly began to change.
She was enrolled in the Department of Educationโs School-Based Feeding Program and actively participated in barangay feeding activities during health visits.
To help improve food sustainability at home, the Municipal Agriculture Office provided vegetable seedlings to encourage backyard gardening for the family.
Continuous home visits and monitoring ensured that interventions remained consistent and responsive to the familyโs evolving needs.
In addition, the household was endorsed to the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to strengthen their economic stability and long-term resilience.
Through these coordinated efforts, Annaโs health gradually improved.
The once frail child who struggled silently with malnutrition began gaining strength. More importantly, her family gained not only assistance but knowledge and confidence.
Anna now walks toward a future filled with possibility and hope, supported by a community that believes she deserves more than survival.
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