Over 800 students in Catanduanes receive school supplies from GMA Kapuso Foundation

More than 800 students in Catanduanes received school supplies from the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to a “24 Oras” report, Monday, among the beneficiaries was Rimar who used to only rely on pad papers of his four siblings.

“Inaalis ko muna yung mga may sulat tapos tinitira ko yung wala pero pwede naman gamitin [I remove those with writings then leave out the ones that can still be used],” Rimar’s mom Irma Bagadiong said.

Sometimes, Irma would even erase the writings herself just to have more pieces paper that they can use.

Despite having limited resources, Rimar proved that he is determined to learn as he continues to get special awards from school.

Another beneficiary is John Albert also uses used paper for school as his father’s income as a construction worker isn’t enough for their needs.

“Minsan, humihingi siya sa ’kin ng papel. Minsan, sabi ko, ‘Pasensya na wala tayong pambili. Hahanap nalang ako ng scratch para may sulatan ka,” John Albert’s mom Sarah Jane Surban said.

(Sometimes, he asks me for paper. Once, I told him, ‘Sorry, but we don’t have money to buy some. I will just look for scratch paper so you can have something to write on.)

As a mother, Surban said it hurts her to see that they can’t provide all the needs of their children.

To make up for their shortcomings, Bagadiong and Surban said they make sure to teach their kids.

As part of GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan project, Rimar, John Albert, and other students in Catanduanes received school supplies and hygiene kits.

“When they have school supplies, they have their everyday needs, that also becomes their motivation to continue moving forward,” said Susan Collano, school division superintendent of DePEd Catanduanes.

The GMA Kapuso Foundation is still accepting donations through bank deposits, Pay Maya, Cebuana Lhuillier, Shopee, GCash, Zalora, Mega Mart, and Globe Rewards.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation's website. -- Franchesca Viernes/BAP, GMA News