Operation Kilo: A Tradition of Compassion in Action

Every year on February 2, the Niña Maria community commemorates the death anniversary of Jaint Jeanne de Lestonnac. In keeping with her spirit of compassion and service, the school carries out a meaningful outreach initiative known as Operation Kilo—a program that transforms simple acts of giving into a powerful lesson in empathy and community.

Operation Kilo encourages every student of Niña Maria to take part in the spirit of sharing by bringing grocery items such as rice, canned goods, noodles, coffee, milk, Milo, and detergent powder. These contributions are then carefully gathered and packed into grocery bundles that will later be distributed to families in need. Through this collective effort, students learn that even small contributions, when combined, can create a significant impact on the lives of others.

The program first began in 2024, starting as a simple yet heartfelt initiative. During its first year, the collected goods were given to people who happened to pass by the school—vendors, workers, and individuals who asked for help along the way. The goal was straightforward: to immediately extend assistance to anyone who might need it.

By its second year, Operation Kilo took a more organized approach by selecting a specific community as its beneficiaries. That year, 25 families from Tambo, Macasandig received grocery packages prepared through the generosity of the school community. The initiative not only provided material support but also strengthened the school’s connection with nearby communities.

Now in its third year, Operation Kilo has continued to grow both in scale and purpose. For 2026, the beneficiaries were 30 families from Upper 20, Nazareth. To ensure that the assistance would reach those who needed it most, the school coordinated with a chapel leader in the area, who helped identify families who could greatly benefit from the outreach.

What made this year’s program even more meaningful was the involvement of students themselves in the process of getting to know the beneficiaries. The selected families were invited to the school, where they were interviewed by chosen students from Grades 4, 5, and 6. Through these conversations, students were given the opportunity to listen directly to the experiences, challenges, and everyday realities of the families they were helping.

For many of the students, the interviews became a moment of learning that went far beyond the classroom. Hearing the personal stories of the beneficiaries helped them better understand the struggles faced by others in their community, fostering deeper empathy and awareness.

The distribution of goods was originally scheduled for February 6, 2026, but classes were suspended due to Typhoon Basyang. Despite the unexpected interruption, the spirit of the program remained strong, and the activity was successfully moved to February 18, 2026.

More than just a donation drive, Operation Kilo has become a meaningful tradition within the Niña Maria community. It reminds students that service is not measured by the size of what is given, but by the sincerity of the act. In honoring the legacy of Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac, the program continues to cultivate a culture of compassion, generosity, and social responsibility—values that will stay with students long after the outreach activity ends.

Text: Ritchie S. Morales, PTC Board President Photos: Noe Kaamiño, PTC Board Member