A Christmas Surprise!
After receiving a heartwarming letter from a Dr. Raquel Azur, Education Program Specialist at the Department of Education-Division of Biñan, KCFI brought the Gift of Knowledge to five elementary schools in their area. One school did not expect what was going to happen…
December 13, 2016 — The weather was overcast all over Metro Manila, but this did not dampen the spirits of the employees from the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) As early as 6AM, they were packing and loading five 40-inch Sony television sets in two vans and a box full of loot bags while wearing Santa hats. It was an usual scene that day as KCFI employees were all over the lobby of Benpres Building while scrambling for things they might have missed.
Each KCFI employee had a role to play. Some carried television sets while some were double-checking lists and items. Jane Maren Dasal, one of the employees in charge of the loot bags, felt enthusiastic. “As one of the new employees, this will be one of the first projects I’ll be involved in outside the office. This is really meaningful for me because I will be a first hand witness on how the Knowledge Channel Foundation affects the lives of students.”
This was the day the foundation planned to surprise Malaban East Elementary School, one of the five beneficiary schools in Biñan, Laguna to receive a TV set and an external hard drive containing more than 1000 multimedia learning materials from the Knowledge Channel.
In September 2016, Dr. Raquel Azur, an Education Program Specialist from the Department of Education in the Division of Biñan, wrote to KCFI an earnest request to connect five elementary schools in Laguna to the Knowledge Channel: Malaban, Malaban East, Loma, San Vicente, and Southville 5.
In her letter, she stated that these schools had the lowest National Achievement Test scores in the division. Lack of student engagement and access to technology were two challenges she observed, and saw how the Knowledge Channel could provide the support they needed.
Without hesitation, KCFI President and Executive Director, Rina Lopez-Bautista, offered to help these five schools with support and donations coming from different partners like Sony. It was a perfect opportunity for KCFI to “pay it forward” this Christmas season.
The annex school
With a population of more than 700 students and 21 teachers, Malaban East Elementary School only had 10 classrooms with five on each floor. One class on the second floor was handled by Ma’am Marilyn Aben.
In an interview with her, Teacher Marilyn narrated how floodwater would inundate their school whenever torrential rains hit their area. “Kapag papasok, nagbabangka kami. At kahit bumabaha na dito, ginagawa pa ring evacuation center itong eskuwelahan namin. (When we go to school, we have to take a boat. And even when it floods here, people still use this school as an evacuation center.)”
Despite the stormy weather, the employees of KCFI pushed through, carrying a television sheathed in red Christmas wrapper. Without any clue from Teacher Marilyn and her class, the employees suddenly entered and serenaded them with a Christmas carol. The kids were baffled yet excited to see what was happening. They clapped and cheered while keeping their eyes glued to the Christmas present in front of them.
Three kids volunteered to open the present and slowly, a 40-inch flatscreen TV was unraveled. Words could not express how ecstatic the students were upon seeing it, moreso when the external hard drive was connected, showing the different Knowledge Channel shows.
After the surprise, the kids were treated with a classic parlor game and given loot bags filled with school supplies. KCFI President and Executive Director, Rina Lopez-Bautista, also had an unexpected announcement. She pledged the school with one ABSCBN TV Plus unit , a cherry on top that perfectly ended a sweet surprise.
Dr. Raquel Azur, the Education Program Specialist who wrote the letter to KCFI, broke down in tears after witnessing the whole event. “Malaki po ang pasasalamat ko at natugunan po ng K Channel ang aking liham. Napakalaking tulong po nito sa mga mag-aaral namin sa Biñan. Hindi po matutumbasan ng salapi ang kaligayahang naramdaman ko. (I’m very grateful that the Knowledge Channel responded to my letter. This will greatly benefit the students of Biñan. The joy I have right now is truly priceless.)”
More than just a gadget
After the surprise event in Malaban East Elementary School, the employees of KCFI visited the Biñan Division Office of the Department of Education for the turnover ceremony of the remaining TV sets and hard drives to the other four beneficiary schools.
The event was attended by the principals of the five beneficiary schools, as well as the OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Mr. Nicolas M. Burgos.
In the turnover speech of Lopez-Bautista, she emphasized the importance of engaging students through multimedia. “Ang Knowledge Channel package ay hindi lamang gadget or equipment, isa itong learning resource para sa mga bata. Importante ang engagement ng bata sa pag-aaral. (The Knowledge Channel package is not only a gadget or equipment, it is a learning resource for the children. Engaging children is important in their learning.)”
The Knowledge Channel packages turned over to the five Biñan schools will benefit more than 6,000 learners and 200 teachers.