MORE than 2,400 students from farming and fishing communities in Cebu and Negros Oriental received school supplies ahead of the new academic year, thanks to a volunteer-led effort organized by logistics company FedEx in partnership with the non-profit Feed the Children.
A team of 40 volunteers filled backpacks with notebooks, pencils and other learning materials, which were distributed to students in underserved areas. The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on families and support children’s continued access to education.
In the Philippines, challenges to education access remain significant. According to Unicef, only half of children aged three to four are enrolled in daycare, and only 78 percent complete basic education. By equipping students with essential supplies, the organizers hope to encourage school attendance and learning continuity.
“At FedEx, our commitment goes beyond delivering school supplies — we aim to uplift the communities we serve. This initiative reflects our purpose of connecting people with possibilities and empowering the next generation to thrive and reach their full potential,” said Maribeth Espinosa, managing director of FedEx Philippines.
“Our continued collaboration with FedEx reminds us that real change begins when communities come together,” said Bregeita Jefferson, president of FEED International. “These school kits represent more than supplies; they carry hope, dignity and opportunity.”
This effort is part of a wider movement to address long-standing barriers to education in rural communities across the country. / PR