With classes now being conducted mostly online, exacerbated inequity in education has emerged as a major setback for disadvantaged children who lose out on the opportunity to keep learning.
Humanitarian organization Save the Children Philippines (SCP) aims to reverse these issues by raising funds for students from marginalized families through several initiatives, including “Humanity as One, Protecting, Educating.” Also known as “HOPE Online” (https://bit.ly/3hF458w), the virtual fundraising event was mounted in August to support Project ARAL, or the Access to Resources for Alternative Learning program.
“Children are at the epicenter of the pandemic,” said SCP Chief Executive Officer Alberto Muyo. “Children without access to help with their learning will be left further behind when they return to school.”
Project ARAL recently gathered personalities in a three-part discussion series hosted by ambassadors Xia Vigor, Katarina Rodriguez and Ria Atayde. The program covered Covid-19-sensitive adaptive activities, as well as inclusive educational lessons that support the development of children and promote positive parenting and resilience.
Proceeds from the engagement provided educational supplies, age-specific learning modules and digital devices for learners from poverty-stricken communities in Caloocan, Navotas, Malabon, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM, and Eastern Samar.