Based on the pre-pandemic report of the Philippine Statistics Authority, in 2017, one in every 10 Filipinos ages 6 to 24 years is an out-of-school youth. In 2021, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) released a study stating that the number of out-of-school youth in the country increased in the first four months of 2020; from 16.9 percent to 25.2 percent.
While there are several factors behind this alarming situation, one of the biggest forces behind it is poverty. To help children in the marginalized sector go back to school and finish their education, World Vision, a child-focused humanitarian organization, launched its Back-to-School campaign this year.
With the theme “#OTW: A Journey for Hope,” this year’s fundraising campaign aims to provide new sets of learning kits to approximately 24,000 vulnerable children in the Philippines. Each kit contains a new school bag with sets of paper and notebooks, writing and coloring materials, scissors, and an eraser. This may vary depending on the situation in the area where the kits will be distributed. In some cases where children must walk long and pass terrains to go to school, kits may include raincoats and umbrellas.
#OTW: A Journey for Hope" campaign aims to deliver school kit to 24,000 Filipino students across the country (Image from World Vision website)
To turn this plan into a reality, the foundation is once again knocking on everyone's heart to extend a lending hand and become a donor in this initiative. For only P1000, two vulnerable children will receive new sets of learning materials through World Vision’s back-to-school Campaign. Those who wish to go the extra mile and do more for a child can sign up to be a child sponsor for only P750 per month.
But we all know that help shouldn’t end in a one-time kit. Notebook leaves will run out of pages, pens to last drop of ink, and raincoats will be tattered. With that, the foundation also designed long-term plans and other programs for health and nutrition, child protection, and savings and livelihood.
“We go to places where there are no other non-government organizations to avoid duplications because we want to spread resources evenly,” Jun Godornes, resource development director, World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle in an interview last Wednesday, July 19, 2023. “For example, in one family, only a maximum of two kids can join and we can support, so other families can also benefit. And it’s very critical that the families participate in the program. It’s like four Ps. We have an agreement with the parents that kids should participate with the activities because we’re also reporting it with our partners.”
Studies also show that the Philippines was among the countries with the longest school closure during the pandemic, resulting in an even larger education gap, with more than 90 percent of students unable to read and comprehend simple texts by age 10. While public schools have no tuition fees, some parents need help to keep up with miscellaneous costs like school kits.
“The program is all about helping children make a joyful return to their classrooms. New learning kits are simple yet impactful tools that may help children to be more eager to go back to school while fostering a positive attitude toward learning,” World Vision’s executive director Rommel V. Fuerte says. “The Back-to-School campaign also brings together communities to support children’s education. Together with our partners, we look forward to our children reaching their full potential.”
To learn more about the campaign, clickhere.