Send 200 Filipino kids to better daycare centers

We previously reported that the Daycare Improvement Program is going beyond helping daycare centers and daycare students by also supporting marginalized elementary to high school students in Metro Manila. The HBI Team feels that there is a need to make room for supporting poor public school students with their school needs now that all schools in the Philippines have re-opened their doors for in-classroom learning after more than two years of making do with distance learning methods.

Your Support Helped 366 Students Continue their Education 

With these said, we are glad to report that during September 2022 and October 2022, your support provided 366 students in Metro Manila and nearby provinces with school supplies they sorely needed to participate in face-to-face school classes. Through your support, every child received notebooks, pad papers, pens, and pencils. Younger schooling children also received crayons needed for their in-classroom art classes.

The distribution of supplies was conducted in three major Metro Manila cities: Quezon City, Navotas City (an urban fishing city), and Manila (specifically in the Smokey Mountain Community). Helping HBI in the distribution of supplies are the organized and trained HBI Area Leaders - ordinary parents and community members who volunteer their time to help in the smooth distribution of supplies. 

The children and their parents were very thankful and happy to receive these forms of support. With most of the children belonging to families that earn less than US$ 5 a day, their parents do not have much income to ensure that they get their school needs. Having said these, the school supplies made possible by your donation has helped these children to continue going to school despite their families' economic standing.

Your Support Continue to Help Daycare Centers and Daycare Students

Apart from COVID-19, micronutrient and vitamin deficiency are persistent health issues faced by daycare students in the far-flung La Union Province areas and mountain municipalities. With the in-kind donation of Vitamin A supplements and Deworming Tablets for children made possible by Vitamin Angels Philippines, HBI through your support has mobilized and train health workers and mothers to have a more active role in ensuring that daycare students in the supported La Union Daycare Centers are healthier. This is done through the conduct of parents' health seminars focused on proper Vitamin A intake and the proper recording of deworming and Vitamin A distribution to children. 

With all previously provided books, toys, and audio-video equipment continuously used and maintained by the Daycare Centers, HBI is currently coordinating with the daycare teachers and parents as to what possible support can be provided for the children's daily daycare learning. These identified needs would be provided by the first quarter of 2023.

We Cannot Thank You Enough

Times are unbelievably tough these days, and while there are many reasons to put up our hands and surrender, we carry on for the sake of the Filipino children thanks to your continued support. With this said, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all previous and current supporters and donors of this project who have donated consistently and wholeheartedly be it anonymously or not. While we cannot say your names,  please know that more than 500 indigent Filipino children are continuing their education because of your support.

We hope to see you in the next report!