SIA volunteers create better learning environment in Bohol

In today’s tumultuous world, concern for humanity sometimes takes a backseat to keen competition and profit-driven motives.

Recently, my faith in corporate social involvement and moral responsibility was rekindled and renewed when I witnessed an outreach project in the nearby island of Bohol by dedicated individuals who happen to be members of the cabin crew of one of the world’s top multi-awarded airlines.

The Singapore Airlines Cabin Crew Club for Community Care, better known as the 5Cs, was established in 2001 as a volunteer organization with over 1,000 members. They are actively involved in the special needs of the elderly and the children in Singapore. They hold monthly activities for their adopted communities, namely the Asian Women’s Welfare Association, a community home for senior citizens, and Chao Yang School for young children with special needs.

Fully self-funded internally raising an average of S$25,000 each year, the 5Cs had a vision of extending its horizon overseas to other Asean countries. Thus, the Reach Out Program by Employees of Singapore Airlines (ROPES) was born in 2005.

Naturally, certain questions and concerns had to be addressed before undertaking such an extensive project. Where would they go? Who would be their beneficiaries? How would the undertaking be implemented? And to what degree would the assistance be made?

All these uncertainties were answered with the valuable help of the World Vision Foundation, which identified the island of Bohol as one of the areas that needed assistance.

Last July, 20005, 26 members readily submitted their leave of absence and prepared for the journey ahead.

While their airfares were supported by a 30 percent company subsidiary, the volunteers paid for all their other expenses, such as accommodations, food and beverage, land transportation, cargo charges, cost of publicity for fund raising, printing of banners, and photography fees. Silkair, SIA’s regional partner, also offered special airfares and accommodation packages for all the participants.

An advance party of four, led by in-flight supervisor William Chua Sow Ngang, arrived in Bohol two days earlier to coordinate with the project partner organizations, such as the Bohol Island Lions Club District 301 B, headed by Jerry Lim, the Bohol Medical Society, the active and driven Parents-Teachers Community Association, and the Bohol Police Division.

The fortunate beneficiaries of ROPES’ first overseas project were 260 grades 1 and 2 pupils, with ages ranging from six to eight years old, of the Booy Main and Eastern Cogon public elementary schools. They received fresh milk and bread every day in a feeding program. Also, 60 selected undernourished and malnourished students partook of daily balanced menus, pre-approved by 5Cs. This consisted of soup, meat, vegetables, and fruits, lovingly prepared by volunteer parents. A multi-vitamin pill completes the feeding program.

Likewise, the students were given 300 school bags, 8,000 stationery items, a television and two desktop computers with introductory computer training to both schools.

And yet their assistance does not end here.

With the aim of improving student performance and providing a more conducive learning environment, the volunteers got to work. With some materials brought in from Singapore, hammer and nails on hand, they refurbished the physical setup of both schools, transforming old, unused rooms into a library with books properly catalogued, a small clinic with basic first-aid medicines, and a dining room with a complete set of utensils. They also constructed 11 cement walls for perimeter security.

All the organizations, including local government officials, like Rep. Edgardo Chatto, Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera, and City Mayor Dan Lim also gave all-out support for the laudable project. Governor Erico Aumentado and Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol attended the unveiling of the rooms, while Governor Aumentado hosted a thanksgiving dinner at his official residence in appreciation of the 5Cs efforts in uplifting the lives of the children.

Just recently, the group, this time 14 in number, once again visited Bohol to follow up and evaluate their progress. The team was led by chief steward Mohamed Zaheer Noor Mohd, SIA’s manager for marketing communications and services Rita Dy, former Silkair manager for the Philippines Nabil Rohman, and Cebu station manager Vincent Anthony Villamor.

Now, we better understand why Singapore Airlines, in particular the cabin crew, is known for its empathy, generosity, and sincerity.

Would it not be utterly wonderful if other agencies, corporations or even individuals could undertake similar programs to reach out and uplift the less fortunate and underprivileged?