Fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. and the lead social service and development ministry of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, Caritas Manila, have teamed up to uplift underprivileged communities.

In a statement, Converge said they recently signed a partnership agreement with Caritas to help improve the quality of life of communities, provide children with better education, and give the underprivileged access to livelihood opportunities.

“Converge is not just vested with the mission of providing technology to enrich the lives of Filipinos; it also has the mission of extending the benefits and opportunities of technology to underserved communities,” said Converge President and Co-Founder Grace Y. Uy.

She noted that, “apart from being a connectivity provider, we hope that this partnership with Caritas Manila could be a springboard for more meaningful programs that will provide livelihood and social development.”

“It is our pleasure to conclude this MOA with a fast-growing technology provider like Converge, which puts people at the heart of its business,” said Caritas Manila Executive Director Rev. Fr. Anton B. Pascual.

He added that, “may this agreement be the start of deeper collaboration in projects that will help alleviate the plight of the marginalized and vulnerable members of society.”

The MOA signing was marked with the turnover of charity cans which will be deployed to over 150 business centers, branches, and offices of Converge. The charity cans are intended to support children and the youth in their journey to finish college.

Earlier, Converge also embraced the Unang Yakap program of Caritas Manila that aims to help expectant and lactating mothers who are impoverished.

The program provides nutrition to mothers and their newborn for their first 1,000 days, to ensure their critical health needs are met.

As part of its Mothers’ Day celebration, Converge launched the “Mula sa Nanay, Para sa Nanay” program that aimed to raise funds for Unang Yakap mother beneficiaries by selling recycled bags made from old tarpaulin materials sewn by mothers of its partner women-led social enterprise KReations.

Converge Chief Sustainability Officer Benjamin B. Azada stressed that the sustainability goals of Converge are anchored upon internationally recognized human rights, and are therefore consistent with the values of Catholic social teaching.

“In the end, let us remember the cornerstone of Catholic social teaching, that humans are bestowed inherently with dignity and this human dignity is the foundation of a moral vision of society,” noted Azada.

According to Jay-Anne R. Encarnado, Converge VP and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, the charity cans are symbolic of the support that Converge aims to provide for Caritas Manila.

“By growing the network of Caritas Manila for their charity drive, we are contributing in a small but impactful way, especially for the youth beneficiaries. This is just one way that we are extending social assistance to the marginalized as we intend to continue to be involved in their other programs like Unang Yakap,” said Encarnado.