Nutrition Intervention as Service Learning: Silliman University’s Indigenous Food Security in Philippine High Risk Calamity Areas

Abstract

Hunger is a major concern in times of disaster and it can result in malnutrition. Hence, food becomes the most important immediate need in times of disaster. As a result of climate change, the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone areas in the world. Disaster preparedness is a challenge that everyone in the Philippines must address. A collaborative effort between Silliman University Nutrition and Dietetics Department- through Service-Learning and the local government units became a means to reduce social inequalities in disastrous situations. The goal of this project was to immerse students in a community to prepare selected community members to cope with emergency nutritional needs, and to teach them food preservation techniques using available indigenous foods. The program carried out lectures on nutrition education and calamity awareness. These included seminars, workshops, cooking demonstrations and backyard gardening, food preservation for consumption during calamities was the major activity of this project. The community members were taught how to nourish themselves within 48 h during disasters using the skills they learned. This project contributed to students‟ whole person education through service-learning by developing in them the values of empathy, concern to others, volunteerism, and strong community engagement with local government units.