THE Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) recently turned over six motorized boats to beneficiary-communities of Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation (YBHF) in northern Cebu.
The wooden sea vessels are called Yellow School Boats.
With YBHF, the MBFI stated on its Facebook page that it is aiming to help 791 students’ future access to schools in Bohol, Camarines Norte, Cebu, North Cotabato and Basilan.
The MBFI also pledged recently to provide printers, copiers and risograph machines for the reproduction of modules and learning materials.
The donation will benefit more than 20,000 students from 39 schools across the country.
MBFI was established on Jan. 8, 1979, by Dr. George Ty Siao Kian 16 years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company (Metrobank).
As a development organization, MBFI stated on its website that it “aims to uplift individuals and the sectors they represent and strategically link with institutions for a shared-purpose.”
It further said: “By creating and propagating a culture of excellence and providing solutions to stakeholder’s needs, the foundation continuously expands its scope of reach and is at the forefront in serving communities.”
For its part, YBHF has been in existence for 10 years. It was formerly known as the Philippine Funds for Little Kids, which “started as a national movement to help children who used to swim to swim to school in the mangrove village of Layag-Layag, Zamboanga City.” The group gave yellow school boats to the community.