The Countdown is now on with just 1 month to go until our next batch of Volunteers from Singapore visit us at Obo & Cancabalong Elementary Schools. Tzu Yin and Nadia will be repeat volunteers, and five will be visiting Cebu for the first time – Welcome Shilan, Lisa, Wan Ting, Jessica, and Celine. Meanwhile in Cebu, Mike, Celest and Emma from the organizing team are are busy finalizing the logistics such as airport transfers, transportation, accommodation, sightseeing, supplies, etc.
FUNDRAISING
Our volunteers are kicking off fundraising activities in Singapore now as we enter May. We are aiming to repeat the purchase of our school supplies list from 2018 which will provide items for Student Packs & Teacher Packs at an estimated cost of SGD $2,000. This provides each child with basic items like pencil, ruler, eraser, sharpeners, various note books etc. In addition to this, we hope to raise enough funds to purchase school uniforms for approx. SGD $500, and Multivitamins for junior grades for approx. SGD $200.
We have been looking at some specific projects which we can co fund with school resources. The floor of the Kindergarten classroom at Obo ES is badly worn and needs to be replaced. This is particularly important for safety and hygiene, since these 4 years old’s tend to spend a lot of time on the floor playing and doing activities like story time when Teacher Josephine moves away the tables and chairs. Based on quotations received, we can either reapply the red Almagre surface as a short term solution for a cost of PHP 8,500 (approx. SGD $200), or install robust and hardwearing floor tiles at a cost of PHP 36,000 (approx. SGD $900) for a long term solution. This would provide a major upgrade in facilities for our energetic little learners.
Another high priority area requiring investment is audio-visual equipment. Much of the TV and computer screen equipment we previously provided has become inoperable due a combination of laying idle during the pandemic lockdowns, and water damage from Typhoon Odette in December 2021. The Dept of Education moved lessons online during the pandemic, and schools now continue to supplement classroom lessons with the prescribed Dep. Ed curriculum modules to help children catch up on what they have missed out over the past two years. If we raise enough funds, or find a generous sponsor who wishes to help us here specifically, then we will look at replacing some of the damaged equipment.
All in all we are looking to reach SGD $3,000 – 4,000 this year as our fundraising target. We are calling on our ever loyal supporters since 2016 to help us reach our 2023 goals.
All the students and teachers at both schools are very excited to meet the 7 Singaporean Volunteers very soon! .
Stay tuned for more updates…
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Obo Elementary School
Cancabalong Elementary School
Project Ripple 