How to help students in need cope with distance learning

MANILA, Philippines – When the Department of Education (DepEd) stood firm in opening classes this coming school year through distance learning, groups and individuals took it upon themselves to help students who will be affected by the setup.

Netizens debated the move as they considered the gaps in education long before the pandemic.

According to them, shifting from traditional to distance learning would further widen the divide between te rich and the poor. (READ: No student left behind? During pandemic, education ‘only for those who can afford’)

To bridge this gap, groups and individuals have come up with ways to help those who have little or no means for distance learning. 

Here are some of the initiatives:

Office of the Vice President

The Office of the Vice President launched Bayanihan Para sa Distance Learning through its Angat Buhay campaign, in partnership with Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership. 

Bayanihan Para sa Distance Learning is calling on individuals to donate their spare smartphones or tablets, laptops, desktop computers, printers, and other gadgets. 

For those who are interested to donate, provide the necessary information such as name, address, contact number, and details about the item you want to donate.  Send these details to ovpdistancelearning@gmail.com with the subject: OVP Distance Learning Support.

Old Laptop Guys

Old Laptop Guys is accepting old laptop donations. These will be distributed to students enrolled in a home school run by the wife of Andy Umali, the man behind the initiative.

The group plans to install Chromium OS, a web-based operating system, in order to make these old laptops perform faster.  

You may reach out to the Old Laptop Guys by sending a personal message to their Facebook page or contact them at 09175154712, or Andy Umali’s mobile number 09224440889.

Streets to Schools

Established in 2016, Streets to Schools is the brainchild of 3 University of Santo Tomas students. They aim to gather 300 pre-loved gadgets, which they plan to give to students who are having a hard time coping with learning under the “new normal.”

For those who are interested in donating, you may reach them by sending a personal message to their Facebook page.

One Gadget One Child

One Gadget One Child is an initiative which aims to collect used gadgets and provide them to students who cannot afford to continue their education through distance learning. 

If you have a spare laptop, tablet, or smartphone for donation, you may fill out this form. You may also donate in cash though the following bank account:

Bank of the Philippine Islands
4740-0031-73 
Carmencita M. Hermosisima

Remember to secure a screenshot of the transaction for documentation purposes.

iUplift

iUplift is a student-led initiative that seeks to address Filipino students’ distance learning needs through the provision of tablets and school supplies.

Among its efforts is #ProjectAmbagan, which aims to raise funds to help students from Barangay Pag-Asa High School in Camarines Norte and Balanti Elementary School in Rizal.

The gathered funds will be used to purchase tables priced at P2,000 each per student, printers for beneficiary schools, with an estimated price range of P4,000 to P5,000 for the printing of student modules, and other necessary school supplies.

To help, people can donate to the following accounts:

BDO
Megumi Hoseña
000210694106 

GCash
Megumi Hoseña
09993975745

Zion Enrico Licup
006216674918

PayPal
paypal.me/iuplift

Proof of donation must be sent to iuplift.ph@gmail.com. A letter will be sent as receipt of your donation.

For questions, people may contact Precious Angelica Echague at 0966-745-6625 or iuplift.ph@gmail.com.

Project WiFi

Project WiFi is an initiative by a group of law students that aims to provide gadgets and load for students in need.

It has so far helped 150 beneficiaries in their two rounds of donations. They continue to receive hundreds of applications from students who want to become beneficiaries of the project.

Project WiFi is open for pledges, which will provide the following to the beneficiaries:

P600 – one month of WiFi
P1,200 – two months of WiFi
P3,999 – one semester worth of WiFi, inclusive of device and load for five months
P999 – one device

You may course your donations through the following accounts:

BPI Savings
Account Number: 0039-523-191

GCash
Account Number: 09178177607

When transferring your donations, place a note saying ‘For Project Wifi.’’ You may also take a screenshot of your donation receipt and send it to @project.wifi on Instagram or @projectwifi2020 on Facebook.

Project Walang Iwanan

Jason Cureg, a sophomore student from University of Saint Louis–Tuguegarao, started Project Walang Iwanan which aims to raise funds to provide prepaid load for Louisian students who struggle to access online learning. 

As of July 1, Project Walang Iwanan was able to raise P24,000 and help 135 beneficiaries so far.

You may help Jason and his team to provide prepaid load to more students in need by contacting them at 09399135146 or 09175100081.

 – Rappler.com