Kapuso star Bianca Umali joined child-focused NGO World Vision in Laurel, Batangas last February 7 to visit and help distribute learners’ kits to about 400 school-aged children from Grade 1 to 7. Each kit contains a school bag, school supplies, and art materials to help hundreds of children who temporarily stopped schooling due to the eruption.
As Taal Volcano still shows signs of a volcanic threat to its surrounding communities, World Vision commits to assist affected families, including thousands of children they have disrupted whose schooling for almost a month.
Nine-year-old Jhylian from the locked-down village of Buso-buso said, “I used to have 10 notebooks but after Taal erupted, it destroyed most of my school things. Now, I only have three notebooks for nine subjects. I’m worried about what I will use after I’ve used up all the pages of my three notebooks.”
According to the Department of Education’s report, at least 575,456 students coming from 1,034 schools are affected because of class suspensions.
A lot of children could not spare their bags or notebooks and worse, could not go back to their school because of the damages caused by the eruption. This should not stop them from learning though and that’s where we all come in – to support them in any way possible to keep them in school,” says World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte.
Since 2017, Umali has been an active advocate and generous supporter of various World Vision’s campaigns for the benefit of children. Months ago, Umali offered her voice and influence to promote the “1,000 Girls” campaign and the “Hope Town” experiential booth at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.
