By Kenjo Mikagami, Mark Lester Cayabyab, Wino Dela Cruz, Hannah Castillo
To help support adaptive education implementation in the Philippines this coming school year, multi-awarded youth volunteer organization I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) launches a bayanihan initiative in light of the public health situation brought by the ongoing pandemic.
Dubbed as BIDA Eskwela (Bigay-Ayuda para sa Eskwela), the nationwide fundraising campaign is spearheaded by I am M.A.D. together with its cooperating partners, the National Youth Volunteers Coalition and Youth Advocates for the Philippines. A two-time Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards Foundation awardee, I am M.A.D. is a volunteer-powered nonprofit organization focused on youth development and empowerment through values-oriented advocacies.
The BIDA Eskwela donation campaign aims to raise at least P200,000 in 40 days from July 9, 2020 to August 17, 2020. The initiative is set less than 60 days before the August 24 school opening. Full details on how to donate are available at bit.ly/bidadonate.
The 40-Day Challenge, #BIDAEskwelaKwarenta
The group encourages the public to be a part of this drive by donating at least P40. With such a small amount, the organizers believe the collective efforts of Filipinos will make a big difference especially in these most trying times.
To drum up the campaign, a social media push under the hashtag #BIDAEskwelaKwarenta has been created. It literally means 40 days and is a play on the word “quarantine” which is what Filipinos are actually experiencing with the limited physical movements.
“Indeed, it is a challenging task for our government, specifically the Department of Education, to prepare schools in a different set up in such short notice. But like them, we at I am M.A.D. are committed to our responsibility to help realize our youth’s right to education and make it thrive, even in the most difficult time. Let’s once again come together and provide the ‘ayuda’ our public education sector needs. We invite all to join this 40-day challenge and help us support our education frontliners,” said Maco Ravanzo, co-founder & Chief Executive Volunteer of I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference).
While most are staying at home and maintaining social distancing, BIDA Eskwela calls on everyone to be part of this campaign digitally through the hashtag — #BIDAEskwelaKwarenta and help encourage more donors.
Poor public elementary schools as beneficiaries
BIDA Eskwela targets to send support to 20 school beneficiaries in mostly underprivileged and remote communities nationwide. I am M.A.D. is in close coordination with community authorities in identifying areas that need assistance from the private sector. Donation money entrusted to the volunteer group will be instrumental in assisting school teachers and non-teaching personnel as they adapt to the “new normal” learning modalities.
With the President’s directive to postpone face-to-face classes until a vaccine is available, the Department of Education (DepEd) is pushing for distance learning with blended modalities where students will be schooled in the safety and comfort of their homes.
The government will maximize the internet to facilitate learning. Meanwhile, for those without online connectivity or gadgets at home, the DepEd said preparations are underway to implement home-based learning through TV, radio, and printed modules.
Depending on the actual supplemental needs of the identified school partners, funds raised from this campaign will be allocated to each institution to give additional aid in carrying out their various distance learning delivery pursuits, which may range from printing equipment and supplies such as paper, printer, ink, photocopier machines, extra communication or data load allowance, as well as essential health supplies such as face masks and sanitizers, among others.
I am M.A.D. believes that with every donation of “kwarenta” pesos, this collective act of giving can reach school communities starting from up north Luzon in Benguet, to select provinces in the Visayas, to as far as the southern part of the Philippines in Basilan.
Donations can be made directly through the following bank saving accounts: BDO (Mayo Ceazar Mendoza – 003010257672), BPI (Vonn Vincent Tanchuan – 0999238424), Metrobank (Mark Conrad Ravanzo – 0663725653850), Landbank (Bigjay C. Lagang – 2986155891), and Unionbank (Vonn Vincent Tanchuan – 109420073791). You can also send support via GCash (Lester Lim – 09088160145) and PayMaya (Lara Myka Puchero – 09666537452) or use PayPal to donate with your debit and credit cards though this link: bit.ly/IAMMADPayPal.
BIDA Eskwela is being supported by CID Communication, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Inquirer Foundation, Daily Tribune, ClickTheCity.com, PAGEONE Media, Digital Filipina, Metropoler.net, CebuFinest.com, Metro Cebu News, SwirlingOverCoffee, Mindanao Times, Tech Beat Philippines, and WhenInManila.com.For updates and further inquiries, follow I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) on Facebook (fb.com/IamMakingADifference), Instagram and Twitter (@iammad_ph), or send an email to iammadph@gmail.com.
