Davao holds fun run for malnourished kids

Inspired by Pope Francis’ call to bring the Church to the marginalized, the Archdiocese of Davao has organized a fun run on April 24, 4:30 a.m. at the Victoria Plaza car park along Bajada, Davao City, for the benefit of malnourished children in the city.

Dubbed “Para sa Iyo ang Takbo Ko”, the fun run is initiated by the Archdiocesan Nourishment Center, which has been feeding more than 200 malnourished children daily since it was founded in 2014.

Registration fees are pegged at Php300 for the 4-kilometer run, Php350 for the 6-kilometer run and Php400 for the 11-kilometer run inclusive of singlets and bibs.

A special division, a 2-kilometer run for Php100 with a free bib is also set. The center also sells t-shirts at Php200 each.

Located along Pag-Asa St, Fatima in Davao City, the center is the former residence of the Missionaries of Charity, and the same located is where the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, stayed during her visit to Davao City years ago.

Volunteers from different groups give their time and resources for the feeding of children daily except Sundays.

Aside from feeding, the Archdiocesan Nourishment Center is also training children how to pray in order to encourage parents to be more prayerful in their homes as well.

“Every time we have our meals at home, my daughter would always remind us to pray before eating,” said Christy Valenzona, one of the parents of the children served by the center.