JCI Manilena President Armi Nabablit and me in Wawa, Rodriguez Rizal
With Wawa Elementary School Principal Mrs. Mercy Gutierrez
With Isang Bata's Peter Foo
Discussing classroom situation with Peter
Wawa Elementary School sits at the foot of a mountain
Each class has an average of 60 students!
Principal Gutierrez tells me there are only 18 teachers to teach the elementary kids
Photo op at the foot of steps leading up to the school
Discussing our projects with Principal Mercy. Ladies on the foreground are preschool teachers at the barangay daycare center.
At the Principal's office
With Leonard Regis, owner of service we used
I'm wearing my JCI Manilena shirt because the ocular was mainly for Manilena projects and campaigns
= = =
Last April 5, 2010, the principal of Wawa National High School, Mr. Vivencio Felix, invited Isang Bata to grace the commencement exercises and witness the graduation of their high school seniors.
I went with Isang Bata sponsor Peter Foo, and JCI Manilena president Armi Nabablit, who went for our meeting with key persons regarding new campaigns for Wawa Elementary School, and five (5) daycare centers under the local barangay of San Rafael. It was a productive day, to say the least.
Armi and I met with the principal of Wawa Elementary, Mercy Gutierrez, and a couple of teachers from the daycare around 11 in the morning. Then we had a meeting with San Rafael barangay captain Edgar Sison.
After the meetings and a simple lunch at a local carinderia, Peter and I were welcomed at the graduation with wooden necklaces and were made to walk on the red carpet under shining cris-crossed swords. We sat with the school's guests of honor including Anakpawis' Ka Paeng Mariano. Peter delivered a short congratulatory address.
We all had merienda together before Peter and I left at half past three so I could make it to another meeting in Quezon City. It was a full day for me. Big thanks to Leonard Regis for driving us around the entire day :)
At one point during merienda, the high school principal pulled me aside to discuss Isang Bata's participation in school-related activities and administration/decision-making. Wawa National High School considers Isang Bata as a partner and friend. For my part, Wawa National High School has also grown close to my heart because of the projects we've launched there and the people I've come to meet over the years. It will be Isang Bata's pleasure, indeed, to be the school's partner and supporter.
On another note, I am facilitating the launch of more projects for Wawa, this time under JCI Manilena, of which I am also Director for Community Development. For Wawa Elementary, we are donating at least a couple of computer units for the use of teachers. We are also talking with IBM Philippines regarding a possible computer literacy program for preschoolers (for the 5 daycare centers in San Rafael) under IBM's Kidsmart program, as well as a reading program for the grade schoolers.
On top of these, we'll also be looking for sponsors for more scholars! We will try to help 30 deserving but underprivileged elementary students go to school by offering financial assistance.
Isang Bata has 8 scholars from high school, who are being given P1500-P2000 every month. The 30 elementary scholars, 5 from each grade level, would receive P700 monthly. Let me know if you are interested to take part in any of these endeavors.
Congratulations Ime and the rest of Isang Bata team for doing such good works. Much as I'd like to be a sponsor under your organization, I can't support another child at this time as I am already sponsoring one from World Vision. However, I'll try to help spread the word of your wonderful advocacy. God bless :)
ReplyDeletethat's good enough, ruth. thank you so much! you can join the other activities anytime, or if you have any ideas, just let me know!
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