I just want to share this message that I read from one of Sitti's blog and it is about a foundation that focuses on Education, as I also believe that Education is one of the key to our Nation's growth or success. I checked the multiply account of Silid Aralan and saw pictures of the kids and other stuff and how you can donate to help the kids. I believe that spreading the word will make a difference and ofcourse will nto cost a thing, so here's the message from the Founder of Silid Aralan, Mr. Arci Mallari:
GREAT NEWS TO OUR PARTNERS!!!By Arcie MallariPresident/Founder Silid Aralan, Inc.
How has your donations helped the Silid Aralan, Inc. (Learning Room) build a Community of Learners Project?
Those who donated their money and resources this school year 2008 - 2009 to Silid Aralan, Inc. (SAI) will be inspired to know of the great progress that has been made possible by their generosity!
From the time of its inception last April 12, 2007, in which SAI catered to 40 children from a poor community in the suburbs of Metro Manila, it is now facilitating to 167 children. It's not only the academic progress of the children that SAI is working on. In fact, they are also providing healthy food during their meal in the SAI Community of Learners Center. As well as, several training/seminars that contributes to the development of their personalities. In addition, SAI trained 144 teachers and more than 80 parents.
Very committed facilitators of learning, namely, Russell Angeles, Hazel Castillo, and Yves Barbasina are now working with the children in the learning center everyday. Parents from the community are the ones cleaning and maintaining the general upkeep of the center and cooking food for their children; and students from different universities tutor during the weekends. To date, SAI has 80 volunteers. Their acts of kindness and volunteerism have transformed and continue to transform the lives of the children and the rest of the community. From hearing stories of hopelessness to stories of possibilities and seeing disillusioned people move to becoming an empowered community how can one not be inspired to do more?
How are lives being affected by the project?
After the first quarter of the school year 2008 - 2009, SAI stakeholders are raising their own personal bars and creating breakthroughs in their schools and homes. Academically, most of them have shown improvement in math and science. These are students who used to consider themselves academically challenged but are now taking on their studies with gusto and enjoying the "game of learning".
Take the story of Kent Ian Vargas, who is now the top 2 in their class. This is his first time to achieve an academic award ever in his life. The same goes for Rowena Aguirre, top 4; Rochelle Garbo and Ma. Ferliz Bernales, both top 5; and Abrylle Timothy Faelangco, top 7. Lloyd, who used to flunk in math, is now one of the best students in their math class.
SAI has received positive feedback from the children's teachers that most of them are excelling both inside and outside of the classroom. They even commended the grade 1 and 2 students who are now considered advanced in math by at least 2 years.
But their academic achievements is only a part of the whole picture of their improvement. Recently, the children rendered two dance presentations in one of their school events. Children who used to be shy and timid are now taking center stage. Their principal, impressed by their dancing skills, have ask them to prepare another number for their December event.
Progress at home completes the whole picture with a mother sharing how her child transformed an old family practice. In the past, as food was being placed on their dinner table, everyone would simply dive into the meal. But one evening, before eating their supper, her daughter suddenly asked all of them to pray first before partaking of the food before them. She even volunteered to lead the prayer. Nowadays, they pray as a family first before enjoying their meal.
It is music to one's ears to hear of such stories of transformation even in the midst of the most difficult surroundings. These stories only show how potent children are in creating a future full of possibilities. As they continue to discover their limitless potentials, more and more breakthroughs for a better future will overcome our country... one drop at a time.
What are the future plans of the project?With your continued support, we intend to build 5 more Silid Aralan Community of Learners Centers in 5 different communities in the Philippines.
How can you continue to help?
1. Send any excess school supplies you have, i.e. pencils, pens, papers, notebooks, folders, envelopes, erasers, sharpeners, crayons, water colors, etc.
2. Send any books you have which are suitable for students up to age 16.
3. Be a volunteer facilitator or tutor on weekends.
4. Financially support our facilitators' salaries.
5. Donate cash to buy books and other school supplies.
6. Help build learning centers physically and financially.
7. Forward this great news to family and friends who may want to help and contribute. Sharing this story to someone else is already a great contribution.
--silidaralan.multiply.com
