On March 25 and 26, 2021, FundLife successfully organized its first 'New Normal Educational Festival at Barangay Libertad, Palo Leyte.
The festival served as a culmination activity for the conducted 23 small group community-based educational sessions– a COVID-19 centered psychosocial engagement for vulnerable children affected by the COVID- 19 pandemic. A total of 25 children, 14 of which were girls, participated in various games facilitated by FundLife youth mentors to evaluate their learnings from the sessions they attended. Some of the games that the children joyfully participated in were: the modified Tag-It game and Healthy lifestyle amazing race about how children can avoid getting infected from COVID -19. They also played completing picture puzzles about child rights and child protection and a game show about Drug Use, Misuse, and Avoidance. The children also enjoyed the games that tackled Gender Equality, Safe Space, Leadership, Self-awareness, and Financial Literacy. Throughout the event, the team ensured that children wear a face mask and sanitize their hands every after games or activities. They were also assigned to designated areas to make sure that they maintain 1-meter physical distancing. “Before the Community based Educational Session of FundLife, children like us just stays in each of our homes because of COVID-19. We feel bored and left with nothing to do. Since I was young I do not have any interest in any sports. But, when FundLife started the educational sessions in our community I did not only learn to love Football but it (educational sessions) also developed my confidence and good attitude. We also became aware of how children can better respond to COVID-19,” said John Rey, one of the regular attendees of the sessions. The tournament does not only signify the success of the team’s perseverance in making a safe space for children. It is also a celebration of being able to provide support for children's mental wellbeing while trying to cope up with the negative effects of the pandemic. “We are one!” just like the children’s cheer, indeed through the community support, the passion of the youth mentors, and the commitment of the children to learn, the pilot initiative was completed. FundLife together with the BLGU of Libertad Palo will now focus on how to maintain this good practice for longer implementation.
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The coronavirus pandemic has brought global economic damage, and many people are left feeling helpless in the face of widespread suffering. But the compassion and generosity of people are never more evident than during a global crisis.
One year following the national lockdowns and suspension of face-to-face classes, FundLife remains on the ground, assisting those who are helplessly in need, especially the vulnerable children. With no exact date on when face-to- face discussions would resume, the children and youth are left with no choice but to face and endure more weeks and months of answering their modules without their teachers close supervision. The uncertainty in the quality of education they get seems to climb high. It has significantly taken a social, emotional, and academic toll, and some children are thinking of just dropping out of the school year. Learning and development have been interrupted and disrupted for millions of students in the Philippines. With that, FundLife tries to address these concerns, thinking about what's best to close the gaps in the education sector. With the support coming from the organization Sport at the Service of Humanity (SSH), FundLife reached a total of 50 families or 291 individuals during its stay-at-home educational packs distribution that included not just school supplies but also food items and hygiene kits on March 26, 2021, at Brgy. 105 San Isidro Suhi, Tacloban City and Brgy. Libertad, Palo, Leyte. The distribution activity was part of the community sessions culmination through FundLife's new Normal Educational Festival in both barangays. Inspired by His Holiness, Pope Francis, SSH is a global movement dedicated to promoting all faith and sport positive values to unite communities, inspire youth, and better serve humanity. Staying true to their word, the SSH, in partnership with FundLife, reached 50 children and their families from vulnerable communities with the stay-at-home educational packs' distribution. The children who received these packs are the players under the small-based group community-based sessions conducted by FundLife weekly. The educational packs included essential school items like pencils, ball pens, bond papers, plastic envelopes, coloring materials, and the most important thing nowadays: the load cards worth Php300. Having a connection to the internet is a must-have nowadays, but most students can't afford to buy load cards that they could use, hence, the need to address the said concern. Further, the parents are very thankful to both SSH and FundLife for helping their kids. Also included in the educational packs are the stay-at-home activity packs, which had fun and interactive games and activities which the children can do, especially during this pandemic. The activity pack was designed to provide psychosocial support to children as they hurdle their school modules while staying at home. The activity pack combines both learning and entertainment, which the children badly need nowadays. As one child shared, The educational packs are already a big help to our family. It includes school supplies for me and we were also provided with load cards. It's useful for us who rely on the internet nowadays to answer modules. Thank you to FundLife and SSH for not hesitating to help those who are in need Also, one parent expressed how grateful her family is because of the food items included in the pack since her husband lost his job because of the pandemic. Having nothing to rely on but their vegetable garden, the food items are already a huge help. To date, FundLife continues to work with international donors to support the most vulnerable communities through initiatives designed to help these communities bounce back and recover from the pandemic's adverse effects. FundLife is grateful for the collaboration with Sport for Humanity and the Australian Government, making these Stay- at-Home Educational Kits possible. |
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