More than a Shoebox: Helping Kids Bounce Back through Education

This year is one of many drastic changes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people everywhere stayed at home as much as possible as part of the collective effort to flatten the curve. While the battle against the pandemic pans on, children’s education continues. The president announced that face to face classes will resume next year but for the meantime, the Department of Education (DepEd) has provided the academic community the option to continue schooling by pivoting to other learning delivery modalities stated in the Basic Education Learning Continuity Program for the safety of students and educators. This new educational set up entails the need for long-term supplies. However, not all students have the resources to continue their education in this new system.

This is why My Dream in a Shoebox (MDIAS) is launching its twelfth year with a renewed driving force to champion every Filipino student’s right to education and safety. MDIAS is an annual education campaign of TeamAsia that aims to equip less fortunate Filipino children with resources that will help them reach for a brighter future. Now more than ever, MDIAS is driven to empower more Filipino children to fight poverty and continue their education as they remain in the comforts and safety of their homes.

 

New School Year, New Goals

With the academic community facing even greater challenges today due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign wants to make its impact not only bigger, but more efficient and safe. For year 12, MDIAS aspires to support 50,000 underprivileged children to adjust to the new normal with shoeboxes filled with school supplies. The campaign aims to alleviate some of our parents’ and learners’ worries in accessing resources for the upcoming school year.

MDIAS upgrades its traditional shoeboxes of school supplies by adding hygiene kits to help parents and learners facilitate a proper learning environment at home. Children need more than school supplies in order to pursue their studies in the new blended learning environment. This is why MDIAS is also planning to provide 500 radios for radio-based instruction, and solicit donations of old computers and printers for various community centers in order to access and print students’ educational materials.

Through the years, MDIAS has equipped 405,090 children with the necessary tools they need to chase their #BiggerDreams. By pivoting its initiatives to address children’s most pressing educational needs, and by working together with the local communities, MDIAS plans to make a bigger impact.

 

A United Stand

As the late South African President Nelson Mandela once said, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Through education, children can make amazing things happen, and become the change the world needs. The world is evolving in the midst of this pandemic, and we need transformative solutions to solve modern issues. Children are the beacon of hope to take us forward into a better future. This is why it takes solidarity to fight for every Filipino child’s right for education. It takes cooperation and a lot of kind-hearted individuals or dream builders to encourage children to dream without limits, and make their biggest dreams come true.

The pandemic poses a lot of challenges for everyone, and the future is uncertain. However, when we work together, we can help support more children in these trying times. Every pledge in the MDIAS campaign is a powerful contribution to prepare future leaders and movers of society to help realize their full potential. Together, all the contributions can make a difference in the lives of Filipino children, one shoebox at a time! To join the movement and help build more dreams, send an email to shoebox@teamasia.com.