Good Neighbors International Philippines (GNIP) launched a new full scholarship program and youth development sessions for senior and junior high school students.

"May mga batang nag-aaral na sila rin ang tumutugon sa kanilang pangangailangan. Mga naiwan ng mga magulang at napilitang magtrabaho para dito (There are children in school who are self-supporting themselves. They are forced to work because their parents left them)," GNIP Education and Child Protection Staff Reymart Parungao said.

"Ang mga istoryang ito ay isang malaking pakinabang para sa atin. Para mamulat tayo sa katotohanan na ang bawat bata ay may karapatan makapag-aral at ang scholarship program ay isang malaking tulong at oportunidad para sa kanila (These stories are eye-opener. To make us aware that every child has a right to study and the scholarship program is a great help and opportunity for them)," Parungao added

From over 100 students who applied for the scholarship grant, 100 students were chosen for the School Year 2021-2022.

The program will provide the chosen scholars with a full scholarship, transportation, uniform, and other school expenses.

Programs for children

Meanwhile, the Inclusion for Learning Accommodation and Welfare (ILAW), a partnership of GNIP and Sun Life Foundation, aims to establish child protection systems for children with disabilities, collaborate with medical allied professionals, the academic, civil society organizations, and government agencies in promoting the rights of the children and enhancing the knowledge of parents and stakeholders.

Part of the program will provide children with disabilities with access to assistive devices, learning aids; and provide capacity-building activities, policy advocacy, coordination, and management to parents, guardians, educators, and local officials. Furthermore, ILAW will strengthen and empower them to implement disability-inclusive programs and services for children.

ILAW is expected to benefit 30 children with disabilities and at least 2,600 individuals in Sitio Bakal, Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.

Similarly, GNIP and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) launched a project that addresses the disaster-related needs and problems of children with disabilities and the Indigenous Peoples in Angeles City, Pampanga.

"Children with disabilities are often excluded in the DRR planning and decision-making processes, thus most DRR plans do not reflect their specific needs and challenges. Similarly, indigenous children can be extremely affected by disasters due to their remoteness," GNIP noted.

"Their indigenous identity, cultural heritage, and intrinsic connection to their lands can be threatened when faced with natural disasters and socio-political upheavals."

GNIP is a non-profit humanitarian organization engaged in fundraising for the planning and implementation of scholarship and youth-oriented programs.