MANILA, Philippines – The Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. (AKFI), the public service arm of TV5, brought hope and cheer to thousands of schoolchildren in far-flung provinces in Mindanao with the opening of classes for schoolyear 2015-2016. Dubbed Happy Eskwela, the project is aimed at enabling children and teachers to continue schooling despite the challenges brought about by armed conflict and natural calamities.
More than 24,000 school children and teachers from 82 schools in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Tacloban, Samar and Tarlac received bags filled with school supplies and teaching aids. National Bookstore generously provided backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils, ruler and other learning materials to the delight of the beneficiaries.
“Disasters and armed conflict force families and children to evacuate or move to safer areas with very limited opportunities. Our mission is to help keep the dreams of these people alive despite not having an ideal learning setup,” shared Menchie Silvestre, AKFI executive director.
Alagang Kapatid has been working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, LGUs and NGOs to cover hard-to-reach areas where help is badly needed.
AKFI is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) unit of the Happy Network and is intended to provide the needed response and assistance to victims of man-made and natural disasters throughout the country. Its activities are aligned with the social projects of the MVP Group of Companies that include MERALCO, Cignal, Makati Medical Center, PLDT-Smart Communications, Maynilad Water Services Inc., NLEX, PHILEX Mining, among others.
For inquiries and donations, AKFI may be reached at tel no. 376-4412.