Journalists conduct gift giving for kids in Samar village

SAMAR, Philippines – Love for schoolchildren, and the desire to make a difference in their lives, led reporters to visit an outskirt village in Samar in the morning of June 4.

Journalists from Rappler, Radyo Asenso, Magik FM, and Leyte Samar Daily Express, together with the Tacloban Airsofters Group, the Charlie Company of the 87th Infantry Battalion (IB), and the 801st Brigade Philippine Army, worked to help marginalized children in Barangay Mabini in Basey, Samar.

With support from generous people, they brought school supplies, slippers, children’s kits, T-shirts, and short pants for school kids. They served more than 200 elementary schoolchildren in Mabini Elementary School.

Army First Lieutenant Orlando Casipit Jr, commanding officer of the Charlie Company of 87th IB, told Rappler that “education is the only way out of poverty for these children of Mabini.”

Even if schoolchildren have a promising future, here in Barangay Mabini, the quality of the education remains poor – especially for schoolchildren with particular needs.

The future of the schoolchildren here rests on the shoulders of school teachers.

Magik FM reporter Ronnie Yanuario said, “It was eye-opening for us to see how little they have, but at the same time how much they appreciate what they do have. The school kids, together with their parents, were so friendly and appreciated us just for visiting them even before we shared our gifts with them.”

“We aim to increase number of school children coming from remote villages, achieving improved life and academic skills,” Yanuario told Rappler. – Rappler.com