Students received much-needed school kits from World Vision

Agusan del Sur — World Vision recently distributed school kits to more than 2,500 students whose school materials were soaked with floodwater that affected the eastern part of Mindanao, south of the Philippines.

“We are grateful to World Vision for this generous donation of school kits. The students will no longer have problems with a lack of paper and pencils,” Amor Subingsubing, a Grade 3 elementary teacher, said.

Agusan del Sur is one of the hardest-hit provinces by massive flooding brought by heavy rains last February.

World Vision Emergency Response Manager Chito Flores noted the heartwarming smiles of children as they received their new school kits. “These school supplies are not just to address the needs of students but also offer mental and emotional support to those who may be suffering from fear due to what happened to their community, and more so to their houses. If they have these familiar school materials, it provides them with a sense of normalcy,” he said.

The massive flooding affected more than 1.5 million individuals in 5 Mindanao regions, the latest report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed.

In many of these regions, farming and fishing are primary livelihoods. With these livelihoods also affected, parents are increasingly concerned about securing income to meet their families’ needs and afford their children’s education.

World Vision’s school kits contain materials students can use for studies such as papers, crayons, and pencils. Each child was also given umbrellas and whistles.

“The whistle attached to the umbrella is nice. It will be very useful in times of emergencies,” teacher Subingsubing added.

Last month, World Vision assisted 2000 families in Davao del Norte with a hygiene kit that includes toothpaste, toothbrushes, soaps; and non-food items such as blankets and mats.