The “Tanim sa Kinabukasan” (TSK) project scales up with the inclusion of Naga City and the Aeta communities in Clark. TSK builds the enthusiasm and capability of parents, students, and teachers to do backyard gardening. Aside from contributing to healthy living, parents can also be engaged in livelihood programs to increase their earnings.

The East West Seed Company, Inc., partnered with Synergeia and started the project in San Jose City. The Naga City project is now in full swing. Greenhouses were constructed in two schools in Naga. The LGU partner, led by then Mayor Jesse Robredo, who is now DILG Secretary rendered full support. A two-day “Train the Teachers” training workshop was attended by teachers and LGU personnel from Libon and Naga City. The training modules were approved and will be taught to schoolchildren. A community day is planned in the week of Penafrancia Festival in September.

The TSK project in Clark is also in full swing, greenhouses have been constructed and a lecture on container gardening is ongoing. Hopes are high that TSK will have a positive impact on the life of the Aeta communities. East West Company is exploring partnership with another 30 schools nationwide, mostly Synergeia Partners.

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iRemit, Inc. (iRemit), the country’s largest non-bank, Filipino-owned remittance company, has teamed up with Synergeia Foundation to improve reading skills in a school in Tondo, Manila.

This is part of iRemit’s move to raise social awareness, generate public support and mobilize resources for children’s education in the Philippines despite the global economic crunch.

The program will help 1,414 Grade One children in P. Guevara Elementary School improve reading skills, write and speak basic English well. iRemit and Synergeia have also provided the school with basic classroom materials.

“Amidst the reported financial downturn globally, the company still recognizes the value of supporting society especially in the field of education. This never stopped us from fulfilling our commitment with P. Guevarra Elementary School, which we started last year” said Harris Jacildo, president and COO.

Jacildo said the company prides itself on being a great advocate in social responsibility.  “This undertaking does not only express a well-intentioned effort of corporate do-good but as a positive strategy, able to add value to long-term corporate goals of being a safe, secure and reliable remittance provider and a company that is deeply involved in social programs for the community”.

He said the global financial crisis provides an opportunity for companies to adopt a long-term vision rather than go for short-term gains.

iRemit’s corporate social responsibility arm, iCare, focuses on two of the greatest concerns of OFWs:  education and livelihood.  iCare’s “Learning for Life” campaign recognizes that everyone should play a role in the continuous improvement of tomorrow’s work force.

Synergeia and its partners implement systemic programs to improve the provision of basic education to nearly 1.3 million schoolchildren 250 municipalities in the country. By engaging local governments, socio-civic groups, schools, teachers, parents and students, Synergeia’s programs serve as catalysts in mobilizing communities to recognize their collective responsibility in improving basic education.

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After three years of “absence”, the much-anticipated Tipanan returns on February 20-22, 2009 at the WOW Philippines Clamshell 1, Intramuros, Manila.  Tipanan  celebrates significant progress in education reform throughout the country over the past years.  Once again, the event honors the Filipino child, with its theme, “Rekindling the Filipino Identity Among our Children”.

Tipanan ’09 offers a good mix of educational and entertaining activities that aim to promote among kids what is truly Filipino.

There will be animated storytelling sessions featuring folktales from the different regions. Schools will compete in a sportsfest of folk games dubbed as “Pinoy-lympics”.  “Dugtong-Bugtungan Tayo,” a game on Filipino riddles, is bound to tickle the minds of children, while “Ola Saranggola!” a session on kite-making and flying, will surely fascinate them. Even adults will enjoy the activities, including a concert of Filipino kundimans and a culinary workshop on dishes from the regions aptly called, “Lutong Bahay”.

A better and bigger Tipanan is expected this year, with some of the top academic institutions collaborating with Synergeia Foundation and its partners to mount this three-day event.

Admission to Tipanan‘09 is free. For more details, contact Synergeia at 898-2913 or 898-2617.

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