THE “education community pantry” in the City of San Fernando has rolled out in several Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centers after it was launched on February 17, 2022 in Barangay Malpitic, being the pilot village for the project.
At the ECCD centers, children aged zero to four and their parents or guardians will now have access to free learning materials or services and will be enabled to donate the similar tools to their fellow learners or parents.
“Dahil ang target natin ay children na nasa zero to four years old, ang mga bagay o serbisyong makukuha o maaaring i-donate ay yung makakapag-develop ng motor skills nila katulad ng laruan, story books, at iba pang kahalintulad na gamit. Sa services naman, maaari tayong magtayo ng ‘community of sharing or experience’ among the parents,” said Fernandino educator and City Government consultant for education David Zab Jimenez, who organized the pantry along with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
It was an offshoot of the first editions of the pantry primarily held in elementary and secondary schools, through the Project Nest (Nurturing Environment and System for Thriving).
Avigail Albes, City ECCD program chairperson, said they chose Malpitic as pilot village since it has the most number of beneficiaries of the program.
“Mayroon po tayong limang ECCD centers sa Malpitic kaya tinatayang nasa 500 pong mga bata ang beneficiaries ng ating programa. Ito po ang may pinakamalaking populasyon ng ECCD sa lahat ng barangay sa Siyudad,” she said.
Teachers and parents of each Malpitic ECCD center can now begin communicating about the roll-out of Facebook Messenger.
Physical materials may also be donated through the drop boxes located in five ECCD centers, which will be opened not only to Malpitic residents, but also to other donors.
After the discussion about the project, parents received tokens, such as milk, cereals, and drinking items for their children.
“Kapag naging matagumpay ang proyekto natin dito sa ating pilot barangay, susundan na natin ito sa iba pang mga komunidad, lalo na sa mga may malalaking populasyon ng ECCD beneficiaries,” Jimenez added.
Launched in August 2021, the “education community pantry” is a brainchild of Project Nest.
It aims to supplement the learning needs of students and parents in San Fernando either through intangible or tangible donations. (JTD)