2017年度GENKIプログラム活動まとめ
【2018年3月の活動報告】
This month, we have summarized the main activities of the GENKI program for the past year at the end of the year.
1. Report on the number of Euglena cookies distributed this term (April 2017-March 2018)
The GENKI program was able to successfully complete its fourth year by distributing Euglena cookies to the target of 2 million meals a year. At the beginning of this term, 39 schools were targeted for the program, but now the number of target schools has increased to 52. The number of students distributing cookies per day has also increased from about 8,200 to about 9,000.
2. Started a new cookie distribution model in which local supporters bear part of the program activity costs
In September 2017, we started a new cookie distribution model at Madrasa School, which has about 350 students, in which local supporters who agree with the activities of the GENKI program will bear part of the program activity costs. .. As of the end of March 2018, this model could be expanded to 2,013 children in 12 schools, and the program could be expanded to 8 of the 64 prefectures in Bangladesh, making it the first for nationwide expansion. I took a step forward.
It was a great achievement for this term that the NGOs, companies, and individuals who run the school agreed with the activities of the GENKI program and took part in the activity costs. We will continue to expand this model in collaboration with local people who share the philosophy of the GENKI program.
Photo-1: Children rejoicing at receiving cookies
3. Add lemon and orange flavors to Euglena
From June 2017, we started distributing new lemon-flavored and orange-flavored Euglena Until then, we had distributed the classic milk-flavored and butter-flavored cookies in Bangladesh, but some people said that they would always get tired of the same flavor. In February 2018, we conducted a ranking survey of cookie favorite flavors among all the children in the program, and found that 35% of the children were lemons, 30% were oranges, 15% were milks, and butter (same number). It turns out that the newly added lemon and orange flavors are very popular. In the next term as well, we will listen to the opinions of children and strive to improve the program so that they can get delicious and easy nutrition.
Photo-2: Children eating lemon-flavored cookies
Euglena cookies to schools offering supplementary classes during Ramadan (fasting)
Many schools are closed during Ramadan (fasting), so the Euglena cookies distributed has been almost zero so far. This term, with the cooperation and approval of the schools, we distributed cookies to approximately 1,600 children at 12 of the schools that provide supplementary classes. Even in Ramadan, sick people and children are allowed to eat and drink during the day, so children who took supplementary classes at school could eat cookies. In the next term as well, we will work with the school to understand the opening dates of the schools where supplementary classes will be held so that children can continue to eat cookies.
Photo-3: Children eating cookies after make-up classes
5. Measure the effect of Euglena
Since April 2016, we have been conducting blood tests and physical measurements every six months to understand the effects of distributing Euglena cookies under the GENKI program and changes in children's health status. In this term, the effects were measured twice in total for 3 schools (2 schools in the cookie intake group and 1 school in the cookie non-ingestion group). After each blood test, a medical certificate is distributed to the parents of the children, and the doctor explains the test items. We also provided nutritional improvement advice to parents of children with anemia. We will continue to measure the effects in collaboration with our research department.
Photo-4: Blood test
6. Distribution of special Euglena cookies to Rohingya refugees
In December 2017, we provided support for Rohingya refugees using donations from our colleagues and companies. As of March 2018, more than 860,000 refugees, which are said to have flowed into Bangladesh, are still living in refugee camps. Living in a camp is a harsh environment, with more than 10 hours waiting in line for daily food. Meanwhile, with the support of Bangladeshi troops and students from the University of Dhaka, we Euglena cookies to Rohingya refugees. The special cookie contains 24 cookies in one bag and 45 bags in one box. Each of us is limited in what we can do, but we will continue to think about what we can do in the future.
Photo-5: Handing a box containing cookies to refugees
Photo-6: Rohingya children rejoice in receiving cookies
7. Implementation of workshops on water and sanitation
Euglena cookies, the GENKI program has provided explanations to children and their parents about the nutrients contained in cookies, and has conducted dietary education activities that allow children and their parents to devise and nourish them without spending money. Many children noticed that they had chronic diarrhea, and started hand-washing instruction, using safe tap water, and hygiene instruction to drink boiling water this term. Many households in slums use undeveloped water as drinking water. Also, unlike Japan, there is no custom of washing hands. It is not easy to get new habits, but some children have realized the effect and have said that the symptoms of diarrhea have disappeared. We will enhance the content of the seminar and strive to further improve the health of children in the future.
Photo-7: Children washing their hands
Initially, we started with the distribution of 2,000 meals per day, but this term we were able to expand to the distribution of 9,000 meals per day. We are grateful for the support of everyone who supports the GENKI program.
Thank you for your continued support.
Euglena Co., Ltd.
Overseas Business Development Department / Bangladesh Office