By Cyrus A. Natividad
Food supplies were delivered by CPU Project ETC to Zaragosa Elementary School in Balasan, Iloilo.
Food supplies were delivered to Zaragosa Elementary School in Balasan, Iloilo. This is Project ETC’s response, in collaboration with CPU, to the Zaragosa Elementary School Community’s call for assistance with their HAW-AS- Alleviating Malnourishment and Poor Academic Performance through Creative School Learning Centers and Home Gardening Innovation.
Project ETC, in collaboration with the CPU Outreach Program provided Zaragosa Elementary School with rice, canned goods, pancit molo, miswa, and ingredients sufficient for a 90-day feeding program.
Zaragosa Elementary School was named CHAMPION in the district, division, and regional level Innovation Showdown Competition 2021, and was recognized by the South East Asian Ministry of Education Organization as the Outstanding Innovation in the entire South East Asia with their Innovation called “Mga Hayub-Hayub sang Kauswagan,” which included 35 learning centers in the community to meet the needs of the students. No more children will go hungry and wasted as a result of this innovation.
Dr. Jephry V. Agpalo, Head Teacher III of Zaragosa Elementary School led the teachers and the community of learners and their parents in welcoming the CPU Project ETC team. Mr. Levi O. De Los Santos (CPU Community Engagement and Service Learning or Outreach Director and CPU Project ETC Team Leader) and Ms. Joan S. Castor (CPU Project ETC Logistics Coordinator) responded with their messages. Other persons involved in the project are Mr. Nico Catedrilla (Project ETC, Project Leader),Ms. Myrna Luceño (CPU Project ETC Assistant Team Leader) and 2 (Two) students from the College of Hospitality Management.
Project ETC is a non-profit organization that partners with the CPU Community Engagement and Service Learning Program. It provides greater opportunities to school children in developing areas of the world and their families through its core values of education, technology and community. Project ETC believes that education is one of the greatest tools for positive change in children and in communities.
In a letter sent to the Founder of Project ETC, Mrs. Ann C. Seisa, c/o Mr. Nico Catedrilla, Project ETC Leader, was a request for assistance for the School- Based Feeding Program. Zaragosa Elementary School had been a recipient of the School Based Feeding Program for nearly 9 years, but it was discontinued during the pandemic. According to Dr. Agpalo, the Innovation HAW-AS is a 90-day feeding program for 130 wasted and severely wasted learners, 21 learners with special needs, and 7 Aternative Learning System Students, for a total of 158 students.
ETC founders Ann and Loy Seisa and children Tristan and Andrea are generous advocates of technology; they respond to the needs of technology in expanding to other areas of the world. ETC’s humanitarian goals would not be achieved without the support of the community. It also aims for a positive relationship with community leaders, parents, and school officials in order to understand their exact needs and make resolutions together.