IBM reaches out to Migi's Corner

MANILA, Philippines - In line with its focus on the special needs of children for its KidSmart program, IBM Philippines recently donated to Migi’s Corner, located at the pediatric wing of the Philippine Heart Center, an IBM KidSmart Early Learning Program.

Migi’s Corner is a special place where sick children can find momentary solace, joy and comfort through various activities provided at the corner. The corner was inspired by four-year-old Francisco Miguel “Migi” Babao-Guballa who was born in 1994 with a congenital heart disease.

“To be a child confined in a hospital can be a very lonely and difficult experience,” says Cathy Babao-Guballa, Migi’s mother and founder of Migi’s Corner. “By providing these children with toys and other educational and fun materials, we help ease the pain of confinement. Migi’s Corner marks its 10th anniversary this year and we are so proud and happy that IBM has helped the Corner and the children cross over into digital learning. We look forward to helping educate and inspire more children through this partnership, making the hospital a little better for them in our own little way.”

The IBM KidSmart Early Learning Program is designed to integrate new interactive teaching and learning activities into pre-school curricula using the latest technology. It complements Migi’s Corner, providing the sick children access to advanced educational and learning materials through a child-friendly computer. The global program is being implemented in 60 countries, serving more than two million children from remote geographic areas to underprivileged areas of towns and cities. The program also includes teacher and parent training material critical for education.

“It gives us great pleasure to be of help to the children of Migi’s Corner and the Philippine Heart Center. IBM will continue to support projects and initiatives with a heart,” said Andrea Escalona, country manager for Marketing, Communications and Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs, IBM Philippines.

The Kidsmart computers are housed in brightly-colored Little Tikes furniture and are equipped with award-winning educational software to help children learn and explore concepts in math, science and language. It can help children mold important collaborative skills such as sharing and working together. More importantly, the Kidsmart’s fun and interactive education modules will encourage and motivate the children to learn and at the same time play in an otherwise somber environment.

KidSmart Early Learning Program is specifically designed to provide kids with an effective jumpstart in early learning. It will expose children to the world of technology in the most innovative and creative ways.

To date, IBM Philippines has already donated to 143 institutions across the Philippines including communities as far north as Batanes, and all the way south to Tawi-Tawi, covering public schools, museums, science centrums and day care centers. IBM has successfully implemented this program in partnership with its training partner, The APC Center, an affiliate of Asia Pacific College.