Spearheading programs that fight poverty and support education

04/13

The members of the 2012 TI Clark Community Involvement Team, (pictured left to right) Kristine Mangaliag, Sunshine Baluyut, Desiree David, Virgie Tempra, Fritzie Ferreras, Rowena Asuncion, (not pictured) Elmer Sapuay and Angelie Bagason, organized and participated in several programs that helped citizens in the Philippines.

The members of the TI Clark Community Involvement Team in the Philippines initiated two large-scale programs in 2012 that supported area schools and spearheaded many other activities aimed at helping citizens in their local community.

Last year, TI team members Kristine Mangaliag, Sunshine Baluyut, Desiree David, Virgie Tempra, Fritzie Ferreras, Rowena Asuncion, Elmer Sapuay and Angelie Bagason coordinated and took part in several volunteer programs and activities.

In May, team members organized volunteers and took part in the nationwide Brigada Eskwela campaign to prepare public schools for the incoming school year. In addition to recruiting other TI employees, trainees and partner suppliers as volunteers, the council members shared their time and energy to clean, paint and repair classrooms in an effort to make the children feel comfortable in their learning environment.

"The children under our care are abandoned, neglected, abused and most have no families who are supposed to provide their needs," said Mila Corazon P. Fronda, head social worker of the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC). "When we were told that we have people from TI who are willing to help children who are deprived in life, we told our children and your kind act inspired them to do well in school."

The program volunteers made chairs for the students using scrap materials donated by TI.

The council also supported the Angat Bata program, which encourages employees to support street children by sharing a portion of their salary to help them go to school. There are currently 36 children being supported through this program.

Thanks to the efforts of the team, the number of Angat Bata program sponsors grew in 2012 from 157 TI employees to 356. The contributions provided by these employees can support 73 kids for the next school year.

"Brigada Eskwela was the first program launched by TI and they believe a clean surrounding is conducive to learning," said Joanne M. Santos, teacher in-charge of San Vicente Elementary School (SVES). "It served as an eye-opener to the parents of the children that they should show enthusiasm when it comes to their child's environment."

Fighting poverty

Since poverty continues to be a major social issue in the Philippines, the team has spearheaded other activities as well. Some of these activities include the Dental and Medical Mission, where 283 patients were checked and given medication, and the Deworming Activity, where 150 children were administered medication.

"The Dental and Medical Mission benefited a lot of parents and pupils," said Santos from SVES. "A lot of them were suffering from different sicknesses and this program gave fast relief that lasts a lifetime, not just physically but emotionally, because a lot of people need medical assistance but have no money."

The council members also spearheaded the Feeding Program for two public schools, with the goal of giving nourishment to 436 children and encouraging them to finish their education. They also led a program where 64 TI employees donated blood to the Mt. Carmel Blood Bank.

Other activities supported by the team last year included donations to flood victims in Pampanga, the Philippines, and Christmas gift-giving to orphans under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.