| MinLand and MoveOn collaborate
to address educational needs
of poor communities
in Mindanao
Kidapawan City - Poor rural communities are often deprived of a quality education. Lack of school facilities and equipment, classrooms that are dilapidated, lack of teachers, competent teachers, textbooks and good educational resources or references are among the factors that may never make children from poor families excel or even endure the challenges of learning and going to school.
Two non-profit organizations, Move On Philippines (Move On) and Mindanao Land Foundation (MinLand) agreed to collaborate in helping address the needs of school children and teachers in disadvantaged communities by providing educational materials, technologies for learning and classroom supplies.
This year, MinLand facilitated the turnover ceremony of educational materials to Apolondia Elementary School in Barangay Kapatagan on June 7 and at J. Alferez Elementary School on August 23 for Ranao Elementary School.
Happy faces of schoolchildren and teachers greeted MinLand staff and the cheers upon getting hold of the books were touching. Heartfelt thanks of teachers to the donors were communicated while children animatedly scanned the pages of illustrated books, flamboyant stuff toys and storybooks.
16 LRC Network partners have also been given their 1st batch of educational materials. Neighboring barangays of the Network expressed their desire to be given the same because, as they say, those were very helpful and needed to them as well. Community residents and teachers believed that “with the good books and educational materials, enthusiasm of children to learn flourishes.”
The effects and value of these materials may not be readily visible in school children but with these good educational materials, learners who may have become “slow” because of some circumstances surrounding them may be rejuvenated and feel eager to learn more because of these reading materials that reinforce their like or restrain their dislike for learning.
The act of giving or sharing is a value in itself for these children to live by, get inspiration from and emulate. This may forever be etched in their hearts. This initiative by Move On and MinLand may be small at first glance but may be lasting when these lowly children eventually become future good leaders, farmers, agriculturists or just common citizens having a heart to help some fellow in need because of the values learned and the pleasant environment he or she has been exposed to. After all, going to school or learning is not just about molding the mind but the heart as well.(MinLand-jmo)
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