Students in Davao Oriental receive school supplies from GMA Kapuso Foundation

First grade and kindergarten students in Tarragona, Davao Oriental, received school supplies from GMA Kapuso Foundation just as the new academic year is set to begin this month.

According to "24 Oras," Wednesday, the young students were among the first beneficiaries of the foundation's Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan Project this year.

One of those who benefitted from the initiative was Sham, a first grade student who lost most of things early this year when heavy rains hit their town. The rains caused flooding and landslides in the area, which destroyed Sham's home and swept away their valuables.

"'Yung mga gamit po ng mga anak ko, wala na po kaming natira. Masakit po talaga. Mahalaga po sa'kin 'yung mga batang nakakapag-aral. Pero wala po ako magagawa, wala po kasi pampalit ng pang-school supplies sa mga anak ko," said his mother Rheren Siarot.

Sham's school, the Lucatan Integrated School, was also left heavily muddied after the rains and its students left with no pencil nor paper to use.

Per the report, the foundation distributed bags and school supplies to students in Tarragona with the help of the Department of Education Davao Oriental, Solid Shipping Lines Corporation, the 701st Brigade of the Philippine Army, and more.

Cherry Ann Verana-Quibo, senior education program specialist of DepEd Oriental, said that other families are still trying to recover from the calamity early this year, with parents struggling to provide even basic school supplies to their children.

To support GMA Kapuso Foundation's Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan Proejct and its other initiatives, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, and Shopee. Go here for more information.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News