“Kumuha base sa kailangan, magbigay base sa kakayahan.”
The phrase above can be seen in our society nowadays. It might be written on paper or cardboard, the sign directs people to what is known today as a community pantry. With just a table as the pantry, kitchen staples and other necessities are placed on it where people can access it easily. This all started at Maginawa Street and it inspired others to start in their communities.
Rotaract Club of Baguio South, in partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay Officials of Upper General Luna together with its donors, gave school supplies to the children of Upper General Luna Road to support their Basic Education and Literacy Program. Rotaract Club of Baguio South, in partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan Pederasyon ng Baguio, led by Hon. Levy Lloyd Orcales, made their way to support the children and youth Pinget Barangay, through the school supplies being gathered and being given to students
The Rotaract Club of Baguio South has adapted this concept and called it “School Pantry”. This idea popped from a post on Facebook about a student asking for GCASH donation to earn money to buy his own laptop for his classes. As more of these posts arise, we chose to give out school supplies to different barangays here in Baguio City.
We, the Rotaract Club of Baguio South, stand together to inspire our fellow children that whatever struggles we may face during this pandemic period, it is not a hindrance for us to dream and be what we want to be in the future. We are inspired to take the opportunities laid in front of us and make it a way to achieve our goals and the future we want to be in. Students or children also had their Information, Education and Communication (IEC) with regards to the topic on Anti-Drug Abuse campaign before we distribute the school supplies to them.
With the leadership of our Club President, the guidance of our Sponsoring club, and the partnership with the Sangguniang Kabataan Pederasyon ng Baguio, we are able to help 200 students from June to August 2021. As more donations come in, we are targeting to give 500 students at the end of the year.
This has been a great experience to uplift the students this new normal and as we continue on with this trying time, this Filipino trait of working together and helping each other can always be felt whenever there are natural disasters in the country. Filipinos’ ‘bayanihan’ spirit and now, the model of the community pantry is making it easier for people to lend a hand to those in need.
