The Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. covered North and South of the country for its Adopt-A-School Program together with the Department of Education and Local Government Units in the areas, during the first semester.
NUEVA VIZCAYA
Selected indigenous student populations in elementary schools in Nueva Vizcaya last June received school supplies for one school year. The package included pad paper, pencils, notebook for the curriculum needs, especially as a support for students as they begin complying with the K to 12 program.
NUEVA VIZCAYA
Selected indigenous student populations in elementary schools in Nueva Vizcaya last June received school supplies for one school year. The package included pad paper, pencils, notebook for the curriculum needs, especially as a support for students as they begin complying with the K to 12 program.
The terrain in Sta. Fe, Aritao, and Kayapa is mountainous and students need to walk one to three kilometers under such condition. Rain makes it even harder for them to get to school. To help prevent absences because of terrain and weather conditions, TYKFI also provided raincoats, slippers, water bottles, and school bags.
The families, majority of whom have four or more school-aged children that benefit from the program, mostly belong to indigenous mountain tribes involved in farming or gardening. Some are out of work or livelihood. In accordance with DepED’s Millennium Development Goal - Education For All (EFA) and the K to 12 program’s goal of attaining skilled, employable, and college-prepared self-learners through spiral (continuous) progression, TYKFI seeks out indigenous families with indispensable needs where, without the timely provisions of such needs, their children cannot keep up with class learning activities and may be discouraged to go to school, and likely than not drop out of the K to 12 education curriculum. In addition, almost all of the recipient-schools have lower than passing average NAT scores for grade 6.
A total of 1,977 students received the packages as shown in the following table:
The educational community was one in gratitude for the assistance that the TYKFI provide. Some comments from members reflect the sentiment of both educators and beneficiaries:
“I can say that you are the brains and dreamers for us and you’ve helped us to reach what we are now. We began from zero and eventually became a complete elementary school with facilities. It is not only on material things that we owe you, you have also heightened the awareness of the pupils, parents, and community as a whole, that education is the only way for a better future.”—Allan Paclit, Principal I, Tan Yan Kee and Buyasyas E/S
“...sa katunayan nakikita naming mga guro na lahat na po ay pumapasok pag may mga gamit sila…Masasabi din po namin na umaangat din ang grado at participation nila sa klase.”--Cesar Anuma, Buyasyas E/S Teacher
“According to the teacher, the school supplies help her to impart her curriculum to the students.”—Sharon Mangaccat, Bacneng E/S Head Teacher
“The Project is a great help (on) our part as teacher(s) and to our pupils…”—Norma M. Anuma, Baliling E/S Master Teacher I
“We have been hearing this Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. helping other schools in many ways…These things would be of great help to our pupils especially the parents who could not afford to provide the needs of their children.”—Alicia P. Zamora, Imugan E/S Master Teacher-I
“It gives inspiration to everyone, especially the pupils and parents.”--Rosemarie Bambico, Teacher-in-Charge Canarem E/S
“I am so much thankful that TYKFI thought (of) this program, it will help me a lot, they have now a writing notebook to use, pad papers and standard bags to use.”--Melody D. Mallo, Lawed E/S Teacher-I
“Ito ay para sa kabutihan ng kanilang pag-aaral at makamit ang kanilang munting pangarap.”—Beti E/S Parent (students: Alvin Sintal and Marlon John Ancheta)
“Napakasaya po niya at very excited na makita at mahawakan ang supplies na kanyang matanggap. Napakalaking tulong…dahil hindi naming kayang bilhin.”—Yaway E/S Parent (student: Lester N. Bucasan, Kinder)
“It’s wonderful because TYKFI brings smile(s) to the children’s faces. TYKFI is a very big help to the children as well as to the community. Magagamit ng mga bata ang mga school supplies sa kanilang pag-aaral. Isa ito sa mga inspirasyon nila para pagbutihan nila ang kanilang pag-aaral.”—Elizabeth C. Samuel, Macdu E/S Grade 6 Adviser
“As parents witnessed this memorable occasion, I know at the back of their minds, they may tell (themselves), ‘I have (a) partner in educating my child’, realizing (now) how important education is...”—Virginia A. Batallam Tabueng E/S and Latar P/S Head Teacher III
“Makakatulong ito upang matugunan ang kanilang pangangailangan sa paaralan at magsisilbing inspirasyon nila upang sila ay makapag-aral ng mabuti.”—Crisline A. Contreras
Latar P/S Kinder Volunteer Program Teacher
“I believe that the gifts received by the children come from the Lord Jesus Christ and through our benefactors, the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, because of their love..to help, hulog sila ng langit at ipagdarasal natin sila para marami pa silang matutulungan lalong lalo na sa mga batang katulad ninyo na maraming mga pangarap. Ang lahat ng bata ay may natanggap na mga gamit sa pag-aaral at sana maging inspirasyon ninyo na pumasok ng maaga araw-araw at mag-sumikap para makatapos.”--Dr. Aurafina Galindez, Schools District Supervisor, Aritao II
District-In-Charge Dr. Jonathan A. Fronda ES III expressed his congratulations, noting that they are lucky indeed amd thanked the Foundation as he acknowledge that to train a child, “it takes a village”.
Ilocos sur
In Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, students from Babayoan and Sidaoen Elementary Schools benefitted from the Program and were selected due to their dire need for school supplies.
Together with the Department of Education and the LGU, TYKFI distributed packages containing pad paper, pencils, notebooks, durable slippers, and school bags. 189 students from Babayoan E/S and 110 from Sidaoen E/S, both in the municipality of Sta. Cruz received their packages, which are meant to help them through schooling and preparing them for the K to 12 program.
Parents, students, and educators were one in saying that the packages are a big help for an uninterrupted schooling. Some comments include:
“Malaking tulong ito sa mga batang mag-aaral…Ito ay makakatulong sa kanilang future, ito ay ating ipaalala sa mga bata na sila ay magsipag na pumasok sa paaralan upang..ambisyon ay matupad, upang mabago ang kanilang pamumuhay sa takdang panahon.”—Parent: Helen Tan Jimenez
“Nakakatulong [ito] sa kanilang pag-aaral dahil meron silang magagamit at dahil makapag-aral sila ay magiging maganda rin ang kanilang future. Nakakatulong ito ng malaki sa kanilang kinabukasan dahil meron silang natapos.”—Parent: Lolita P. Arzadon, Day Care Teacher Student: Shenaicah Liezel Arzadon (9yrs old)
Head Teacher III Mrs. Violeta J. Javonillo addressed the assembly with a short speech as follow:
“Our ever charming, kind-hearted District Supervisor Dr. Buenafe Medrano, our ever-supportive TYKFI representative, our very active PTA president, Mr. Samuel Binas-O, our dear PTA officer, classroom and federated, our beloved barangay captains from the different barangays, and their respective members of the barangay council, and our dear parents, a blessed afternoon to one and all.
We are very glad indeed to have with us today our dear school officials, local government officials to witness the turnover ceremony of the Adopt-a-School program through the Tan Yan Kee Foundation Inc. through the concerted efforts of Sir Philip showing their love and concern to our school, especially to our pupils who are very major concerns in education. TYKFI is very much willing to extend resources to improve our school performance by giving our children supplies to lessen the burden of their parents.
Thank you so much to our Almighty Lord that we are given the chance to be benefited from our generous sponsor TYKFI. We welcome you all with open hearts and open minds. God Bless all.”
Head Teacher III Mrs. Violeta J. Javonillo followed with a statement of commitment:
“To our generous and ever-supportive TYKFI representatives, our school officials, our dear parents we are committed to try our very best to educate our young with the best of our abilities, develop them to become God-fearing, good citizens, and become respectful to their parents, teachers, and to all people around them. Encourage them to study harder though the support of their parents. Let them continue their schooling up to college in order to achieve quality education and improve the quality of their lives.”
The student body showed enthusiasm in receiving the supplies. The students practiced all afternoon and sang in unison with energetic voices and perfect pronunciation of the national anthem, and the Sta. Cruz song along with a display of ‘thank you’ letters on sign cards. Selected students and some PTA members danced a number from the Bago tribal dance. Santa Cruz District Supervisor Dr. Buenafe Medrano likened the supplies into several metaphors in expressing the love and encouragement experienced by the recipients. She mentioned the bags to be ‘bags of armor’ for going up the education ladder, and ‘bags of responsibility’ to study hard and soar high, as well as a ‘carrying torch’ for education. She also calls these ‘gifts of love’ an act of spreading sunshine into the hearts of the pupils as it makes learning fun and as it opens the eyes of the pupils towards their own success one day and towards emulating this act of kindness in return.
LEYTE
In Leyte, partners TYKFI, Department of Education- Leyte Division, and Tanduay Distillers, Inc.—Tacloban Sales Office reached out to 2,378 selected students within each school’s population who normally go to school without slippers.They belong to a set of schools attended by children of indigenous families who are also most likely to be beneficiaries of the 4Ps program. Lack of slippers was used as an indicator to select only children who belong to the poorest of the poor. Aside from durable slippers, they also received pad paper, pencils, notebooks, and school bags. Above is a table showing distribution of packages.
Students, parents, and educators were united in their appreciation and gratitude for the assistance provided by the partners. Some of these comments follow:
“My favorite subjects are English and Math. I am happy and excited to receive the supplies. I want to be a chef after graduation.”--Aisa C. Dalalis, consistent honor student, Grade VI Valedictorian. Parents: Nestor, Aileen Dalalis
“She doesn’t know who gave her the bag so I always repeat TYK so that she will know who gave her the bag.”—Parents: Royalde, Jennifer Ligo, Uyawan ES. Student: April Joy Royalde Uyawan ES
Educators and parents Mylene C. Brazil, Teacher-III;Jubelle Gayas Gamoy, T-III;Maria Baguio Gomez, GPTCA Vice President; Maria Baguio Gomez, GPTCA Vice President; Mylene Velarde Jongco, T-I; Maricar A. Cabodil, P-I; Shirley A. Eduyan, P-1; Donalyn V. Afable, Teacher-III; Donalyn V. Afable, Teacher-III; Desiree D. Lesigues, Volunteer Kinder Teacher;Sheena Cabelio, Teacher I; Dulce M. Alcala, Teacher 1; Jovita L. Reboso, Brgy. Official & GPTA Officer; Rominick Penferrada, Teacher 1; Myraflor S. Cabojoc, Lorena Abella, Teacher 1; Elsa G. Torre, Head Teacher III; Jonathan Enage, Head Teacher I; Elsa D. Pedrosa, GPTA; Joan L. Salceda, Vice President (room officer); Antonieta E. Culas, Principal I; Eric F. Cometa, Teacher I; Jennifer M. Edloy, Jennyfer P. Margate, Principal I; Arlene R. Viral, EGT-III; Patricio L. Sanaco, Jr., PrincipaI; Patricio L. Sanaco, Jr., Principal I; Ray L. Catampungan, Teacher I; Leslie Y. Sabenorio, Teacher I; Lea N. Domael, Teacher I; Julita L. Branzuela, Teacher I; Deolita A.. Diaz, Education Program Supervisor ; Manuel P. Albaño, ASDS; Arturo D. Rosal, Principal II in summary, spoke of the program in a singular vein. They spoke of Adopt-A-School as follow:
“The TYKFI Adopt-a-school program is a great help to the school especially to our needy pupils. The supplies they have given will be used to enhance the learning of our pupils. They are a lot of help for the encouragement on the part of our school children in coming to school regularly and teacher will get high result on the children’s performance. I think without the TYKFI, it would be difficult again for the students to cope with the school requirements, since we observed that students during the beginning of classes don’t have enough school supplies. This projects really motivates students to continue their studies.”
“For sustainability we will all do constant monitoring with the teachers, pupils and parents. We will have a conference on how to sustain and improve the project that will also improve quality of result or performance. As educators, it is our responsibility to make sure that they will use these school supplies every day and to remind them always to take good care of these supplies.”
“The long term effect of this project has a positive impact to the school. Through this, pupils will no longer make absences due to lack of supplies.”
In appreciation, recipients and educators said, “Today, we are very much lucky and thankful to be one of the recipients of this TYKFI. This goes to show that they are very concerned with our school children, so they really support the program of the DepEd which is “Adopt-a-School” Program. We hope that our dear parents, school children, teachers, and other stakeholders will stay united. In this, we are pretty sure that we will be realizing DepEd’s vision and mission that no child is left behind.”
In Mindoro a total of 1,573 pupils and students from various elementary and high schools also received school supplies packages from the Foundation containing notebooks, pad papers, pencils, slippers and bag.