Japanese educator turns over restored schools

CEBU, Philippines - A total of 10 schoolbuildings, damaged by Yolanda, at San Roque Elementary School in Tolosa, Leyte were turned over  by QQ English tutorial institution of Cebu City to the DepEd in ceremonies held in this town last Thursday.

The turnover rites was led by QQ English chief executive officer Raiko Fujioka, and attended by Tolosa town Mayor Erwin Ocuña, DepEd-Leyte schools superintendent Milagros Jamora, barangay officials, teachers, parents and the pupils.

The parents, pupils, teachers and residents of Tolosa sang, danced and rejoiced, saying that their prayers to bring back children to school have been answered, with their devastated buildings now restored.

“Thank you very much to QQ Engish of Cebu for having the heart and spirit of rehabilitating our school buildings that were destroyed by Yolanda,” said Judith Cionelo, a 32-year-old mother of four pupils in that school.

Jamora, for her part, said, “We are so thankful of QQ English, the key player of building restorations,” otherwise there would be no more school for these children of Barangay San Roque.

Fujioka meanwhile confirmed to The Freeman that at least 10,000 students enrolled online at QQ English have donated textbooks for the San Roque pupils and about 150 more of his students have pledged for additional donation of textbooks.

Fujioka has been appealing for more books from other donors so that the education of these pupils here would continue to its fullest, now that their school buildings are fully restored. —(FREEMAN)