We have 500 bags ready for distribution to schools in Patikul, Sulu and I've come home from my study in Indonesia just for this distribution. We don't have clear chance of being able to deliver on time, and the bags are also awaiting delivery. Our provision is in fact for more than 500 students, but we don't want to purchase anymore, just yet, while we are still unclear of the logistics part.
Meantime, i remembered about my last visit in Brgy Sila, San Vicente, Samar, the island captain has informed me that they have only less than 100 students in the brgy, and the situation is a little similar to that of Sulu. Some teachers have to share the task of several grade levels under 1 instruction and 1 room.
I thought, since we had excess provisions, we might as well give to this marginalized area as well. I have called the village captain, and great timing indeed, he said it will be their island fiesta.
It was already vacation season, approaching election, and as expected, buses are fully booked. We had to take chances on extra trips from bus companies in Cubao Terminal. Luckily, we got a bus to Legazpi city, from where we transferred to a van going to Bulan, and from there a boat going to Brgy Sila. It was a travel forever for my friends, especially to 2 who have come all the way from Baguio City.
brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
kids in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
kids in the elementary school of brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
kids of the elementary school in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
It was quite easy distributing to this island. The captain had good contacts with the teachers who in turn knew their head counts by heart. In fact, during the distribution, they also had the list available so called each student one by one.
After the distribution, we took the extra time to take the friends around the beautiful islands of Brgy Sila, and after, were served with local seafood.
In the evening, we were called to attend the barangay celebration, and was pulled to the dancing as well. :-)
pink beach in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
abundant seafood in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
sayawan in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
boat back to Bulan Port from Brgy Sila, San Vicente
sleeping in the Naga bus station awaiting the morning for the bus forward
For those who'd be interested in conducting an outreach program for the kids, please pm for the list of the students and contact numbers of the school staff.
For information on how to go to pink beach or brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar, please visit this link
To see other interesting places in San Vicente, Samar, see this one.
kids in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
We have 500 bags ready for distribution to schools in Patikul, Sulu and I've come home from my study in Indonesia just for this distribution. We don't have clear chance of being able to deliver on time, and the bags are also awaiting delivery. Our provision is in fact for more than 500 students, but we don't want to purchase anymore, just yet, while we are still unclear of the logistics part.
Meantime, i remembered about my last visit in Brgy Sila, San Vicente, Samar, the island captain has informed me that they have only less than 100 students in the brgy, and the situation is a little similar to that of Sulu. Some teachers have to share the task of several grade levels under 1 instruction and 1 room.
I thought, since we had excess provisions, we might as well give to this marginalized area as well. I have called the village captain, and great timing indeed, he said it will be their island fiesta.
It was already vacation season, approaching election, and as expected, buses are fully booked. We had to take chances on extra trips from bus companies in Cubao Terminal. Luckily, we got a bus to Legazpi city, from where we transferred to a van going to Bulan, and from there a boat going to Brgy Sila. It was a travel forever for my friends, especially to 2 who have come all the way from Baguio City.
brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
kids in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
kids in the elementary school of brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
kids of the elementary school in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
It was quite easy distributing to this island. The captain had good contacts with the teachers who in turn knew their head counts by heart. In fact, during the distribution, they also had the list available so called each student one by one.
After the distribution, we took the extra time to take the friends around the beautiful islands of Brgy Sila, and after, were served with local seafood.
In the evening, we were called to attend the barangay celebration, and was pulled to the dancing as well. :-)
pink beach in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
abundant seafood in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
sayawan in brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar
boat back to Bulan Port from Brgy Sila, San Vicente
sleeping in the Naga bus station awaiting the morning for the bus forward
For those who'd be interested in conducting an outreach program for the kids, please pm for the list of the students and contact numbers of the school staff.
For information on how to go to pink beach or brgy sila, san vicente, northern samar, please visit this link
To see other interesting places in San Vicente, Samar, see this one.
This year around, I am travelling around Indonesia, but I did not want my proximity to deter me from contributing to the progress of my country. Before leaving, I had a word with these friends and asked if we can go ahead with little things like this, and I am glad they were feeling the kind of fullfilment I get when I see something done.
Apart from these friends, social networks has helped bring our advocacy to other people. There was Wina Asuncion who set up a benefit concert , Mara Balayan who did a Hand Lettering workshop, Maria Isabel Bernal of GivingIzReceiving who sold T-shirts to fund a planned Alternative classroom for theBadjaos, and also accounting firm SGV (through Mr Christian Lauron) who shared in time for the company's anniversary.
Overall, these activities and solicitations came up with P65,147 cash, and around estimated P28,000 worth of school supplies.
We were able to furnish 500 bags with 1 box of crayons, 4 pencils/ballspens, 1 sharpener, 1 eraser, 1 ruler, 2 pad papers, 3 notebooks. Some supplies were in excess so some bags got 5 notebooks, 3 pads, and scissors.
Other materials such as envelopes, art papers, bodpapers, tapes, ledgers, yellow pads, lesson plans were provided for the teachers.
The 500 bags were packed complete initially, and because of logistics concern with the AFP Civil Relations Group keeping us in the limbo of whether we will be able to deliver or not, we thought about holding any further purchasing of additional bags and school supplies for more students as we may end up overstocked with goods, not to mention we have almost filled up our friends apartment with donations.
Meanwhile, we had excess funds, so we thought about sharing it to other areas who may need it, and is easier to deliver. There has been excess funds beyond the planned distribution target, so we thought about giving them out to others in need.
The planned distribution was to be 3rd week April, but PAF C130 flights to SULU have been held specifically for election related matters, apart from that the kidnapping issues in Sulu at the time made the flights too busy to accommodate any civilian related matters.
We were almost getting frustrated waiting for every announcement of flight, and thinking of moving it again through Cebu Pacific Cargo services as the first time, but the cost is not practical as it will triple the cost of the items.In the end, if we move with this option, it will seem as if we bought the items at the same price as they would have been sold in Sulu, and making all the fundraising efforts useless, as we have ended up making business for the transport companies instead and sweating it all out for nothing.
But with the help of 51st SAF in Tawi Tawi, we were able to connect to 50th SAF in Sulu who took care of the logistics; they have sponsored the shipping of the goods with 2GO, and even hand carrying some on the commercial flights of their personnel. They also took charge of the moving from Zamboanga henceforward up to distribution.
While we aimed for 1000 kids and we may come up with 1000 bags, the security situation causing trouble with logistics make it not practical to proceed with school supplies. Incidentally, from the recent distribution of excess school supplies in Tawi Tawi, we have been told that the children of Malassa Elementary School don't have seats. Students come to class and squat. Hence, the excess funds will be used to build seats for the school. Currently, we are awaiting for an estimate cost of the materials from 51st PNP SAF Group in Tawi Tawi.
Meanwhile, the funds from the T-shirt sales of GivingIzReceiving will proceed with building the Alternative Classroom for the Badjaos. At the moment, we are awaiting correspondence from the village chief about seeking and finding interested Badjaos to work on the renovation of the structure, after shipping and provision of materials.
Pls see here for an excel file of the received donations, tally of expenses, and data on school supply recipients.
This year around, I am travelling around Indonesia, but I did not want my proximity to deter me from contributing to the progress of my country. Before leaving, I had a word with these friends and asked if we can go ahead with little things like this, and I am glad they were feeling the kind of fullfilment I get when I see something done.
Apart from these friends, social networks has helped bring our advocacy to other people. There was Wina Asuncion who set up a benefit concert , Mara Balayan who did a Hand Lettering workshop, Maria Isabel Bernal of GivingIzReceiving who sold T-shirts to fund a planned Alternative classroom for theBadjaos, and also accounting firm SGV (through Mr Christian Lauron) who shared in time for the company's anniversary.
Overall, these activities and solicitations came up with P65,147 cash, and around estimated P28,000 worth of school supplies.
We were able to furnish 500 bags with 1 box of crayons, 4 pencils/ballspens, 1 sharpener, 1 eraser, 1 ruler, 2 pad papers, 3 notebooks. Some supplies were in excess so some bags got 5 notebooks, 3 pads, and scissors.
Other materials such as envelopes, art papers, bodpapers, tapes, ledgers, yellow pads, lesson plans were provided for the teachers.
The 500 bags were packed complete initially, and because of logistics concern with the AFP Civil Relations Group keeping us in the limbo of whether we will be able to deliver or not, we thought about holding any further purchasing of additional bags and school supplies for more students as we may end up overstocked with goods, not to mention we have almost filled up our friends apartment with donations.
Meanwhile, we had excess funds, so we thought about sharing it to other areas who may need it, and is easier to deliver. There has been excess funds beyond the planned distribution target, so we thought about giving them out to others in need.
The planned distribution was to be 3rd week April, but PAF C130 flights to SULU have been held specifically for election related matters, apart from that the kidnapping issues in Sulu at the time made the flights too busy to accommodate any civilian related matters.
We were almost getting frustrated waiting for every announcement of flight, and thinking of moving it again through Cebu Pacific Cargo services as the first time, but the cost is not practical as it will triple the cost of the items.In the end, if we move with this option, it will seem as if we bought the items at the same price as they would have been sold in Sulu, and making all the fundraising efforts useless, as we have ended up making business for the transport companies instead and sweating it all out for nothing.
But with the help of 51st SAF in Tawi Tawi, we were able to connect to 50th SAF in Sulu who took care of the logistics; they have sponsored the shipping of the goods with 2GO, and even hand carrying some on the commercial flights of their personnel. They also took charge of the moving from Zamboanga henceforward up to distribution.
While we aimed for 1000 kids and we may come up with 1000 bags, the security situation causing trouble with logistics make it not practical to proceed with school supplies. Incidentally, from the recent distribution of excess school supplies in Tawi Tawi, we have been told that the children of Malassa Elementary School don't have seats. Students come to class and squat. Hence, the excess funds will be used to build seats for the school. Currently, we are awaiting for an estimate cost of the materials from 51st PNP SAF Group in Tawi Tawi.
Meanwhile, the funds from the T-shirt sales of GivingIzReceiving will proceed with building the Alternative Classroom for the Badjaos. At the moment, we are awaiting correspondence from the village chief about seeking and finding interested Badjaos to work on the renovation of the structure, after shipping and provision of materials.
Pls see here for an excel file of the received donations, tally of expenses, and data on school supply recipients.
After some trip to Bali and Lombok with high school friends, I am back to my solo exploration of my second home country.
One of the sights I have been wanting to go to is the Mt Ijen Blue Fire in Banyuwanggi, and this time, I just can't let it go since I am quite close to it already - an island hop from Bali, and I shall be there.
It was a little after lunch when I left Bali en route to the Gilimanuk port. It took the bus about 6 hours (fare was 50K rupiah) to cross to Ketapangg. I got off the bus just before it rolls its wheels off the ferry and moved along with my foot. that night.
From the port exit, I saw some guys laying sticker ads of tours of what seemed to be a travel and tours office opening soon. I asked them anyway, and one of the guys happened to be the owner.
He said the tour starts 12mn, costs 200K for locals, 350K for expats, and luckily, he has guests. It seems if they don't have that ample amount guests, the rate will change. In fact, some of the other travel operators (mostly selling bus tickets) are offering 300K for a 2 person trip on a motorbike. (This other guy has one guest currently staying in a guesthouse and wanting to get a tour.
The package includes transpo on a van, gas mask, a guide, and entrance fee.
That days was a weekend and it seems like we were in a parade on the trail. You don't exactly need a guide as the trail is quite clear and wide. It was drizzling at the time, and so the trail was quite slippery. A jacket, shoes with traction, and a flashlight shall be readied by the guests. No flashlight was provided (luckily I had mine).
Funny thing, there were a lot of locals, seniors, disabled, and just lazy guys who came up with porters to carry them up. They had a trolley where their guests sat while being pulled up.
Apparently, as much as possible, guest should hurry up ahead. From the crater mouth down to where the sulfur and blue flame come up, the trail becomes narrow, and if you happen to be behind a senior, well... you bet you will be at the balcony view.
As per the guide and guides of other groups, the sulfur has to be ignited as it won't fire up on its own. So, somebody has got to come up early to start the show. Then, just before sunrise, they pumped up water to put off the fire. The water was also used to cool off the sulfure and solidify.
Overall, honestly speaking, it was not as I expected. perhaps, there was way too much people that I could not focus on what I actually came there fore. I rather enjoyed more the view that came up after brightness.
contact number for the tour company is:
+62 813 31861276.
There are also almost close to basic guesthouses right in the port, or in front of the train station (100m to the right from the port) at rates 40K, 50K, and above.
After some trip to Bali and Lombok with high school friends, I am back to my solo exploration of my second home country.
One of the sights I have been wanting to go to is the Mt Ijen Blue Fire in Banyuwanggi, and this time, I just can't let it go since I am quite close to it already - an island hop from Bali, and I shall be there.
It was a little after lunch when I left Bali en route to the Gilimanuk port. It took the bus about 6 hours (fare was 50K rupiah) to cross to Ketapangg. I got off the bus just before it rolls its wheels off the ferry and moved along with my foot. that night.
From the port exit, I saw some guys laying sticker ads of tours of what seemed to be a travel and tours office opening soon. I asked them anyway, and one of the guys happened to be the owner.
He said the tour starts 12mn, costs 200K for locals, 350K for expats, and luckily, he has guests. It seems if they don't have that ample amount guests, the rate will change. In fact, some of the other travel operators (mostly selling bus tickets) are offering 300K for a 2 person trip on a motorbike. (This other guy has one guest currently staying in a guesthouse and wanting to get a tour.
The package includes transpo on a van, gas mask, a guide, and entrance fee.
That days was a weekend and it seems like we were in a parade on the trail. You don't exactly need a guide as the trail is quite clear and wide. It was drizzling at the time, and so the trail was quite slippery. A jacket, shoes with traction, and a flashlight shall be readied by the guests. No flashlight was provided (luckily I had mine).
Funny thing, there were a lot of locals, seniors, disabled, and just lazy guys who came up with porters to carry them up. They had a trolley where their guests sat while being pulled up.
Apparently, as much as possible, guest should hurry up ahead. From the crater mouth down to where the sulfur and blue flame come up, the trail becomes narrow, and if you happen to be behind a senior, well... you bet you will be at the balcony view.
As per the guide and guides of other groups, the sulfur has to be ignited as it won't fire up on its own. So, somebody has got to come up early to start the show. Then, just before sunrise, they pumped up water to put off the fire. The water was also used to cool off the sulfure and solidify.
Overall, honestly speaking, it was not as I expected. perhaps, there was way too much people that I could not focus on what I actually came there fore. I rather enjoyed more the view that came up after brightness.
contact number for the tour company is:
+62 813 31861276.
There are also almost close to basic guesthouses right in the port, or in front of the train station (100m to the right from the port) at rates 40K, 50K, and above.
Travel tax is one big Sh*t for Filipino travellers especially when you bought your ticket on Sale only to pay it later for travel tax.
Today I am flying back to Indonesia, and again, as expected, I had to be on a bout defending my rights for exemption.
Among those that are exempted from paying travel tax are scholarship grantees. Unfortunately, nowhere, not even in the TIEZA website, show what documents are necessary to apply for exemption.
On my first flight to Indonesia last August 2015, I was looking for information online for what are the requirements for exemption but are nowhere to be found. I brought with me letters I received from the Indonesian Embassy certifying the grant, the scholarship contract, and even my visa applicaton receipt showing free.
My first flight out was in Terminal 3 and there I was asked to prove that all expenses are shouldered by the scholarship. They were especially particular with the flights, accomdation, etc. Luckily, my scholarship contract detailed all of it. For the flight, I had to print out an email showing they sent me the tickets. I had to walk in to the Cebu Pacific counter and request assistance in printing these screenshots because i did not have them handy (as I said, because none is said on the website and so I did not know what sort of documents to provide).
For this flight returning to Indonesia after 2 weeks off in the Philippines, I brought my receipt (of exemption of the first flight), another copy of the scholarship contract, and the offer letter. I thought having the receipt was more than enough in the sense the receipt shall certify that I have submitted all the necessary documents on my initial flight.
This time I am flying out of NAIA terminal 1, handed over the documents, and told them I brought these documents (receipt being primary as proof that all necessary documents were already submitted before). The supervisor said that the receipt is nothing. It does not necessarily say that I have submitted all the necessary documents. It just mean, from my understanding of her argument, that the Supervisor where I applied for the exemption, accepted all my documents and trust that it warrants exemption (and she may deem differently).
From the story, it seems everything is really based on the supervisor. This time, she was asking me to prove that this flight is still within the duration of the flight. I showed her my school ID showing that the program is until August 2016. She kept asking me for a registration form and I told her (and as the case is) we don't have the same documents as the universities here. We were never given any registration form. The ID stands for the registration. I pointed her back to the contract stating that the program is August 2016 and she referred back to the offer letter dating June 2015. She was insisting that if we take that as the effective date, that the program shall expire June 2015. Then, I told her, today is May 17, and while it is a few days before, it is still within the duration (even under that assumption). After that, she finally said yes.
For those scholarship grantees applying for exemption, make sure to be early on the airport as, based on these 2 instances, it seems they will just always turn you away at first. You need to be consistent and give them all your proof (And it is such a shame to think, and i reiterated in the counter, that other people/government would give you money, allowance and it is a shame to give it away to your hand it to your government...) So, for this, allocate a lot of time apart from your regular check in timing needs.
Travel tax is one big Sh*t for Filipino travellers especially when you bought your ticket on Sale only to pay it later for travel tax.
Today I am flying back to Indonesia, and again, as expected, I had to be on a bout defending my rights for exemption.
Among those that are exempted from paying travel tax are scholarship grantees. Unfortunately, nowhere, not even in the TIEZA website, show what documents are necessary to apply for exemption.
On my first flight to Indonesia last August 2015, I was looking for information online for what are the requirements for exemption but are nowhere to be found. I brought with me letters I received from the Indonesian Embassy certifying the grant, the scholarship contract, and even my visa applicaton receipt showing free.
My first flight out was in Terminal 3 and there I was asked to prove that all expenses are shouldered by the scholarship. They were especially particular with the flights, accomdation, etc. Luckily, my scholarship contract detailed all of it. For the flight, I had to print out an email showing they sent me the tickets. I had to walk in to the Cebu Pacific counter and request assistance in printing these screenshots because i did not have them handy (as I said, because none is said on the website and so I did not know what sort of documents to provide).
For this flight returning to Indonesia after 2 weeks off in the Philippines, I brought my receipt (of exemption of the first flight), another copy of the scholarship contract, and the offer letter. I thought having the receipt was more than enough in the sense the receipt shall certify that I have submitted all the necessary documents on my initial flight.
This time I am flying out of NAIA terminal 1, handed over the documents, and told them I brought these documents (receipt being primary as proof that all necessary documents were already submitted before). The supervisor said that the receipt is nothing. It does not necessarily say that I have submitted all the necessary documents. It just mean, from my understanding of her argument, that the Supervisor where I applied for the exemption, accepted all my documents and trust that it warrants exemption (and she may deem differently).
From the story, it seems everything is really based on the supervisor. This time, she was asking me to prove that this flight is still within the duration of the flight. I showed her my school ID showing that the program is until August 2016. She kept asking me for a registration form and I told her (and as the case is) we don't have the same documents as the universities here. We were never given any registration form. The ID stands for the registration. I pointed her back to the contract stating that the program is August 2016 and she referred back to the offer letter dating June 2015. She was insisting that if we take that as the effective date, that the program shall expire June 2015. Then, I told her, today is May 17, and while it is a few days before, it is still within the duration (even under that assumption). After that, she finally said yes.
For those scholarship grantees applying for exemption, make sure to be early on the airport as, based on these 2 instances, it seems they will just always turn you away at first. You need to be consistent and give them all your proof (And it is such a shame to think, and i reiterated in the counter, that other people/government would give you money, allowance and it is a shame to give it away to your hand it to your government...) So, for this, allocate a lot of time apart from your regular check in timing needs.
Part of what I have learned out of my travelling these past 2 years is extracting the value of things to their utmost usage.
Not working for 2 years, and going through emptiness in remote places made me quite conservative in my use of resources. This, I can't elaborate further to the understanding of people of the cities living by the concept of capitalism and consumption: the more you consume, the better for the economy and surely... the worst for our environment and for other people if not for ourselves too.
Anyhow, apart from the USED school supplies that we are running for the #SULOngSULU drive, this time around, I thought about the books that are left hanging at our homes after being used in school, or basically, just after reading. Just imagine how much more that book could be on use if only they are shared. How many more people it could motivate.
For a while, I had been looking for small libraries around Sumatra Barat whom I can probably come up with a book donation drive, but it was not until lately, when we were on holidays in school, that I found one. Nonetheless, it is not in Sumatera Barat, but in Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Island.
I was thinking of a more motivating way to get them pick up their books and throw to us, rather than just asking, which, not all people would dare care about.
Likewise, I was hoping for an activity that will contribute to Asian solidarity, culture exchange and acquiantance, and this is when I thought about making use of Film. By any means, film is the best way to show an entity's psyche and a culture. So, for this, we had some films made and/or about countries in asia: Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, South Korea, and Indonesia.
The films will run for a week, with each movie taking 2 screenings. Ticket for entry will be in the form of USED published books.The films will be screened in Gedung I on April 11-15, 2016.
I'm looking forward to re-doing this event elsewhere.
Part of what I have learned out of my travelling these past 2 years is extracting the value of things to their utmost usage.
Not working for 2 years, and going through emptiness in remote places made me quite conservative in my use of resources. This, I can't elaborate further to the understanding of people of the cities living by the concept of capitalism and consumption: the more you consume, the better for the economy and surely... the worst for our environment and for other people if not for ourselves too.
Anyhow, apart from the USED school supplies that we are running for the #SULOngSULU drive, this time around, I thought about the books that are left hanging at our homes after being used in school, or basically, just after reading. Just imagine how much more that book could be on use if only they are shared. How many more people it could motivate.
For a while, I had been looking for small libraries around Sumatra Barat whom I can probably come up with a book donation drive, but it was not until lately, when we were on holidays in school, that I found one. Nonetheless, it is not in Sumatera Barat, but in Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Island.
I was thinking of a more motivating way to get them pick up their books and throw to us, rather than just asking, which, not all people would dare care about.
Likewise, I was hoping for an activity that will contribute to Asian solidarity, culture exchange and acquiantance, and this is when I thought about making use of Film. By any means, film is the best way to show an entity's psyche and a culture. So, for this, we had some films made and/or about countries in asia: Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, South Korea, and Indonesia.
The films will run for a week, with each movie taking 2 screenings. Ticket for entry will be in the form of USED published books.The films will be screened in Gedung I on April 11-15, 2016.
I'm looking forward to re-doing this event elsewhere.
More than that war between the rebels and the government in Patikul, Sulu, an even more frustrating battle of not defense but deferral; Over the stinking air and garbage, dirt roads and poor pavements, well water that runs only a certain hours of certain days, traffic of no rules after a random parade of army tanks, over beggars who are on every street and corner, over the telecommunication service that is anyway OFF most of the time because of an ongoing military operation, over lighting that is nowhere in the roads, over the curfews; A war that cripples its citizen who may lean into rebellion and onto the cycle for generations; And looking at the kids and the situation, without any intervention, it is clear and regretful to see that they will end up to be the same.
The SULOngSULU is citizen-action drive to provide support for the school supply needs of children through new and/or used (but worthy) school supplies.
Last year, with the support from
a few schools (because it was almost the last month of classes when this was
conceptualized, where some schools are already done with their classes), the
drive collected used school supplies (e.g. notebooks, crayons, pencils, pad
papers, water colors, poster paints) from 4 private schools and later
distributed it to some schools in SULU.
With what has been collected and
some donations from a few people, the drive was able to supply bags and school
supplies for 2 schools (The Tandu Dagmay primary school and the Tandu Bagua
Elementary School).
This year, the drive is trying to
approach even more schools, individuals, and organizations as possible so as to
extend to as many schools as possible in
Sulu.
The
following are the target goods for provision:
Per Student:
Bag
Box of Crayons (either 8 colors
or 16)
4 pencils
1 sharpener
1 eraser
1 Small Ruler
Pencil Case
2 Pad Papers
5 Notebooks
Photocopy of the workbook (for
grades 1-2)
Per Classroom of 25-40 students:
Art papers of 25 pcs of each of the 8 Colors
(Black Included)
10 Small Scissors
10 Watercolors with brushes
1 Wall Clock with Battery
Class Record
2 pcs Erasers
2 Boxes of Chalk; 1 colored and 1 white
Ledger for Teacher
Posters of:
Philippine Presidents
Map of the Philippines
National Symbols
National Heroes
With the prices of goods as per last year's distribution, this provision for a student mean P160 in primary school, and P283 for elementary school, with difference based on the (size of) bag.
This Year, while our priority will be the primary schools, we are looking to extend the provisions to the elementary schools too, though we will be working on the primary schools first before heading onto the Elementary schools.
The schools with their number of students this school year (2015-2016) are:
PATIKUL, SULU
Primary School
#
Elementary School
#
Ahajani
PS
89
Sahipa Elementary School
41
Bunbun
PS
106
Tugas ES
89
Sahipa
Elementary School
41
Amman Elementary School
101
Tandu
Bagua PS
37
Liang Elementary school
153
Tandu
Dagmay PS
84
Igasan ES
265
Usaw
Primary School
79
Wanni PS
annex II
22
TOTAL
649
TOTAL
458
TOTAL (PRIMARY & ELEMENTARY)
1107
Thus far, after the benefit concert and some goods from friends, here is what we have and still looking for:
PRIMARY SCHOOLS:
Material
Qty per Sdt
Total Qty
On Hand
Need
Price per item
TOTAL per item
Bag
1
500
0
500
35
17500
Crayons
1
500
166
334
8
2672
Pencils/Ballpen
4
2000
1609
391
4
1564
Sharpener
1
500
360
140
3
420
Eraser
1
500
147
353
2
706
Ruler
1
500
200
300
7
2100
Pencil Case
1
500
5
495
5
2475
Pad paper
2
1000
194
806
7
5642
Notebooks
5
2500
499
2001
14
28014
61093
Some cash donations as follows:
CASH
Amount
To Fund
TOTAL
10500
50593
Sinag Basir
3500
#SULOngSULU Benefit Concert
6500
Mara Balayan Workshop
5000+
Rackys Colleagues
500
April Tomas
Ruby (Mami Weng)
At the moment, yes, we are still very far from the Target for even 500 students, whilst I am looking into providing for 1000 students; a little bit hilarious for how much my network can provide, but that has been what I have always told myself. I can't expect them to wish, they haven't known what it is perhaps. They probably even think that's all there is in life. But, If they can't put up a dream, i'll be the one to dream for them.
So, yes, something i haven't done until I got into this outreach work is begging. But true enough, travelling has taught me to humility. And if the kind of humility I need to put up, is the upliftment of some, so be it.
Suggested in PHP currency to minimize devaluations. In third world, every cent counts J. Otherwise, USD will be fine.
More than that war between the rebels and the government in Patikul, Sulu, an even more frustrating battle of not defense but deferral; Over the stinking air and garbage, dirt roads and poor pavements, well water that runs only a certain hours of certain days, traffic of no rules after a random parade of army tanks, over beggars who are on every street and corner, over the telecommunication service that is anyway OFF most of the time because of an ongoing military operation, over lighting that is nowhere in the roads, over the curfews; A war that cripples its citizen who may lean into rebellion and onto the cycle for generations; And looking at the kids and the situation, without any intervention, it is clear and regretful to see that they will end up to be the same.
The SULOngSULU is citizen-action drive to provide support for the school supply needs of children through new and/or used (but worthy) school supplies.
Last year, with the support from
a few schools (because it was almost the last month of classes when this was
conceptualized, where some schools are already done with their classes), the
drive collected used school supplies (e.g. notebooks, crayons, pencils, pad
papers, water colors, poster paints) from 4 private schools and later
distributed it to some schools in SULU.
With what has been collected and
some donations from a few people, the drive was able to supply bags and school
supplies for 2 schools (The Tandu Dagmay primary school and the Tandu Bagua
Elementary School).
This year, the drive is trying to
approach even more schools, individuals, and organizations as possible so as to
extend to as many schools as possible in
Sulu.
The
following are the target goods for provision:
Per Student:
Bag
Box of Crayons (either 8 colors
or 16)
4 pencils
1 sharpener
1 eraser
1 Small Ruler
Pencil Case
2 Pad Papers
5 Notebooks
Photocopy of the workbook (for
grades 1-2)
Per Classroom of 25-40 students:
Art papers of 25 pcs of each of the 8 Colors
(Black Included)
10 Small Scissors
10 Watercolors with brushes
1 Wall Clock with Battery
Class Record
2 pcs Erasers
2 Boxes of Chalk; 1 colored and 1 white
Ledger for Teacher
Posters of:
Philippine Presidents
Map of the Philippines
National Symbols
National Heroes
With the prices of goods as per last year's distribution, this provision for a student mean P160 in primary school, and P283 for elementary school, with difference based on the (size of) bag.
This Year, while our priority will be the primary schools, we are looking to extend the provisions to the elementary schools too, though we will be working on the primary schools first before heading onto the Elementary schools.
The schools with their number of students this school year (2015-2016) are:
PATIKUL, SULU
Primary School
#
Elementary School
#
Ahajani
PS
89
Sahipa Elementary School
41
Bunbun
PS
106
Tugas ES
89
Sahipa
Elementary School
41
Amman Elementary School
101
Tandu
Bagua PS
37
Liang Elementary school
153
Tandu
Dagmay PS
84
Igasan ES
265
Usaw
Primary School
79
Wanni PS
annex II
22
TOTAL
649
TOTAL
458
TOTAL (PRIMARY & ELEMENTARY)
1107
Thus far, after the benefit concert and some goods from friends, here is what we have and still looking for:
PRIMARY SCHOOLS:
Material
Qty per Sdt
Total Qty
On Hand
Need
Price per item
TOTAL per item
Bag
1
500
0
500
35
17500
Crayons
1
500
166
334
8
2672
Pencils/Ballpen
4
2000
1609
391
4
1564
Sharpener
1
500
360
140
3
420
Eraser
1
500
147
353
2
706
Ruler
1
500
200
300
7
2100
Pencil Case
1
500
5
495
5
2475
Pad paper
2
1000
194
806
7
5642
Notebooks
5
2500
499
2001
14
28014
61093
Some cash donations as follows:
CASH
Amount
To Fund
TOTAL
10500
50593
Sinag Basir
3500
#SULOngSULU Benefit Concert
6500
Mara Balayan Workshop
5000+
Rackys Colleagues
500
April Tomas
Ruby (Mami Weng)
At the moment, yes, we are still very far from the Target for even 500 students, whilst I am looking into providing for 1000 students; a little bit hilarious for how much my network can provide, but that has been what I have always told myself. I can't expect them to wish, they haven't known what it is perhaps. They probably even think that's all there is in life. But, If they can't put up a dream, i'll be the one to dream for them.
So, yes, something i haven't done until I got into this outreach work is begging. But true enough, travelling has taught me to humility. And if the kind of humility I need to put up, is the upliftment of some, so be it.
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