800 kids in landslide-hit Baybay, Leyte receive school supplies from GMA Kapuso Foundation

A total of 800 kindergarten and Grade 1 students affected by the landslide that hit the city of Baybay, Leyte in April have received school supplies from the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to a “24 Oras” report on Monday, among the beneficiaries was grade 1 student Bryan Perales, who was traumatized by the disaster in their community caused by Tropical Storm Agaton.

“Natakot ako kasi yung lupa, parang tubig tapos nagsitumbahan yung mga puno [I was scared because the ground was like water and the trees started falling],” he said.

Despite this, he continues to study hard in the best way he can. He vows to give his all for his family.

Several other children like him are doing the same even though they are still in an evacuation center. Guiding them are their teachers, who are also determined to provide the children with lessons.

“Kahit gano’n ang sitwasyon, talagang ipagpapatuloy natin yung education pero hindi siya yung typical na classroom teaching,” said Merson Parazo, school head of Kantagnos Elementary School.

(“Despite the situation we are continuing with their education, although it’s not the typical classroom teaching.”)

“Parang psychological intervention, psychosocial support siya doon sa bata [What we’re doing is like a psychological intervention, psychosocial support for the kids],” he added.

Apart from school supplies, the students also received COVID-19 kits and vitamins under GMA Kapuso Foundation’s “Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan” project.

“Itong mga gamit na ‘to ay talagang may impact para sa mga kabataan, hindi lang sa pag-aaral kundi may psychological impact ito sa kanila na talagang patuloy ang buhay,” said Josephus Duenas, Department of Education (DepED) Baybay’s administrative officer V.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, Shopee, GCash, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website. — Franchesca Viernes/BM, GMA News