Healthy Breakfast: Tzu Chi Healthy Breakfast Program Expands

Journalist : Metta Wulandari, Photographer : Metta Wulandari

Healthy breakfasts were distributed to the students at Al Khairiyah Elementary School, in Kapuk Muara by Tzu Chi volunteers Hu Ai Teluk Gong. With excitement, Nani Ramlan (front right) and three other volunteers shared the elementary school students milk and bread.

Tzu Chi’s Healthy Breakfast Program, supported by donors (corporate partners), visited Al Khairiyah Elementary School, located at Jl. Kapuk Muara RT 003/001, Kapuk Muara Village, Penjaringan District, North Jakarta. The volunteers were warmly greeted by the students.

“Today is our second day of delivering nutrious breakfasts at Al Khairiyah Elementary School,” volunteer from the Tzu Chi Hu Ai Teluk Gong, Nani Ramlan stated.

Besides Nani Ramlan, there were three other volunteers, joined by Babinsa Kapuk Muara Serda Tutur Triono and Babinkaptibmas Kapuk Muara Aipda Hartono. On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, they distributed 77 bread and milk packs to grades 3, 5, and 6 students. Previously, on Monday, May 20, 2024, they had distributed 93 packs of bread and milk to other classes.

“It’s really happy and comforting, because the students were so kind and polite too,” Nani said with a smile. “Yesterday, I was even surprised when we were about to leave after the event, a child approach me and said, ‘Thank you, Ma'am...’ while saluting. Wow… it made me emotional even though we only gave them one bread and milk, but they sincerely thanked us.”

The volunteers’ presence was enthusiastically welcomed by the students of Al Khairiyah Elementary School, who had already received Healthy Breakfasts from Tzu Chi since Monday.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, volunteers distributed 77 bread and milk packs to students in grades 3, 5, and 6. Previously, on Monday, May 20, 2024, they had distributed 93 bread and milk packs to other classes.

According to Nani, Healthy breakfast program is good idea because children often skip breakfast at home. Sometimes breakfast is prepared for them, but they skip it because they are in a hurry. Some parents give their kids pocket money since they don't have time to make breakfast.

“I think it’s better if we help distribute these healthy breakfasts. Instead of them buying food from random places that often have fried snacks, it would be better and healthier if they have nutritious food like milk and bread. This way, they will be healthier and can focus better on their studies,” Nani explained.

Babinsa Kapuk Muara Serda Tutur Triono and Babinkaptibmas Kapuk Muara Aipda Hartono distributed bread and milk to Al Khairiyah Elementary school students.

Babinsa Kapuk Muara Serda Tutur Triono and Babinkaptibmas Kapuk Muara Aipda Hartono also agreed with Nani. They added that the Healthy Breakfast Program is expected to not only improve the health of students but also easing their finncial difficulties of the students’ parents, who often work in informal jobs.

“The residents around are quite struggling because in this area, their parents work in informal jobs like factory workers or motorcycle taxi drivers. They might not have time to prepare breakfast for their children because they have to rush to their work shifts. That’s why I am very grateful to Tzu Chi for implementing this program,” said Serda Tutur enthusiastically.

“I hope this breakfast distribution activity at Al Khairiyah Elementary School can be a model and spread to other schools as well. There are still many areas where many marginal people’s incomes don’t cover their daily needs. Hopefully, more children can enjoy this healthy breakfast,” added Aipda Hartono. For this reason, Tzu Chi has my sincere gratitude for.

The students were delighted to receive breakfast consisting of milk and bread. Saviana Zahwa (back - third from the right) was seen joining the photo while holding her breakfast.

Saviana Zahwa, fifth-grade girl, was among those who expressed great happiness after receiving the breakfast. She doesn't have time to cook, therefore she didn't have time for breakfast today. Zahwa normallymakes her own breakfast, which occasionally consists of an omelet, fried rice, or instant noodles. Since they work from dawn until moon, Zahwa's parents, who are employed in a frozen food industries, have long been unable to provide her breakfast.

“I usually cook something simple for breakfast myself, if my father goes to work at 5AM and my mother goes to work at 4AM," explained Zahwa, who has grown rather independent.

Another student who didn’t have time for breakfast was Fellen Agustina (6th grade). “My mom had to leave for work early today, so I didn't have time for breakfast,” said Fellen.

While her father works as a construction laborer, Fellen's mother works in laundry. Both leave for work very early in the morning to go to work. “I hope the program continues so it can help friends who don’t have time for breakfast at home,” she said happily while thanking the volunteers.

Translator: Erika (Tzu Chi School)