Non-profit organizations Peace Kamp, Bangketa Eskwela Foundation, and other charity groups have banded together to provide the online learning needs of the Aeta indigenous people in Porac, Pampanga.
The initiatives are made in response to the Philippines’ Department of Education directive to switch to new modes of learning such as using online platforms to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The charity initiatives are making sure that no Aeta student is left behind in the new normal of schooling.
Pinatubo Eco-Adventure and Cultural Enclave Katutubong Anak ng Mt. Pinatubo (Peace Kamp) is an enabling organization, intent on providing the venue for the Indigenous Peoples across the land to access more development opportunities. They have been reaching out to indigent groups since their immersion activity with Aetas in Barangay Sapang Uwak, Pampanga in 2013.
The non-governmental organization has been able to build a multi-purpose hall that doubles as a learning center for Aeta children during day time and a dorm for visitors at night. Donations have also helped provide Aeta students with a stable WIFI internet connection for their online learning.
Dara Tuazon, the founder of the Bangketa Eskwela Foundation, stepped in as a volunteer teacher for the Aeta kids of Pampanga. Tuazon’s foundation, established in 2017 develops concrete, efficient and effective programs for street children and out-of-school youth.
The non-profits started a fund-raising campaign in early September to raise funds for 150 tablets to be donated to Aeta students living in a remote area in Pampanga. The groups have been able to buy 10 tablets so far and three students have to share one for their online classes.
The fund drive is ongoing and the groups are accepting in-kind donations. You can contact Peace Kamp or Bangketa Eskwela Foundation for details.
The NGOs believe every child deserves the right to education. Many like-minded individuals have also started initiatives to help struggling distance learners with their schooling needs amid the pandemic.
Cagayan charity worker, Herson Raquinio, started the Project Lapis or Literacy Assistance Program for Indigenous Student which distributes school materials to children in far-flung areas. He was nominated for the Hong Kong Volunteerism Award for the inspiring initiative.
An art drive is funding learning materials for Kara David’s Project Malasakit Foundation whose recipients are remote public schools all over the Philippines.
OFW nurse Aldrin Licayan started a fundraising campaign for tablet computers to be donated to Pinoy kids back home and computer programmer Mark Anthony Perez is offering his laptop repair services for free to students in Tarlac.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to non-profit groups raising funds for online learning gadgets of Aetas.
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