Maguindanaoan students receive school kits, emergency go bags from World Vision

World Vision recently distributed more than 800 school kits, emergency go bags and solar-powered radios in identified schools in the areas of Datu Odin Sinsuat and Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao Province.

The initiative is part of the Strengthening Community Adaptive Capacities in the Midst of Pandemic and Conflict Emergency Context Project. The project seeks to assist children to continue their education with provision of school materials, prepare them from possible emergencies, and also to improve the community’s access to water and hygiene interventions to prevent Covid-19.

World Vision has been coordinating with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (BARMM-MBHTE) for this project.

“Since the pandemic, children’s access to learning opportunities and sanitation, especially in the some areas in Maguindanao, had been very challenging,” said Mark Sefuentes, Word Vision Project Coordinator. He emphasized the need to support these children as much as we can so as not to disrupt their education in the new normal and to keep them protected from COVID 19.

According to Sefuentes, the identified communities are in need of assistance considering their geographical location. “These areas lack access to humanitarian support. We need to reach these vulnerable children,” he stated. The learning kits and emergency go bags motivated the children to continue their education at home in preparation for the face-to-face classes.

Bainor Mangelan, a volunteer facilitator and parent, underlined the impact of the initiative. “We thank World Vision for the kits you provided. Despite the challenge given by the pandemic, our children can continue to learn.”

Mangelan furthered that the educational workbook they received gradually helped his children read. “I am very happy with the kits because it is very easy to understand. It’s appropriate for their level,” he expressed.

Article by Aedrian Araojo | Photos by Mark Sefuentes