Collage of photos of various APPEND Educate A Child Beneficiaries
EDUCATE A CHILD
Educating a child is a pivotal step towards breaking the cycle of poverty. Out of 430 high school graduates, only 230 proceed to college, and merely 120 attain a degree, constituting 12% of the initial cohort. Unfortunately, many students from impoverished backgrounds are unable to afford the associated costs of higher education, perpetuating the cycle of limited opportunities and low-income jobs. Families, struggling with poverty, endure arduous work schedules, often spanning 12 to 18 hours a day, engaging in activities like scavenging recyclables, selling goods, and crafting items for meager income. This relentless effort merely sustains their families' basic needs for food and water. Regrettably, a considerable number of Filipino children and youth fall victim to this cycle, forced to forgo education in order to contribute to family income. This issue pervades both urban and rural areas, leaving families with the stark choice between sending their children to school or securing meals.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this situation, leading to extensive job losses, business closures, and displacements, further plunging millions of children (aged 0 to 18) deeper into poverty. Moreover, natural disasters compound these challenges, disrupting economic activities and exacerbating health emergencies.
"Education, whether formal or informal, is a formidable force that breaks barriers within the cycle of poverty. At APPEND and among our affiliated partners, we ardently champion this cause, striving to be a catalyst for change by offering scholarships and educational assistance to children hailing from economically disadvantaged families. Our pioneering effort, the APPEND-KILOS Program (Knowledge for Inspiring Leadership, Opportunities, and Spirituality), has its roots in the benevolent act of Mr. Gordon and Helen Smith in 2006. Their generous contribution sparked a transformative journey, dedicated to financing the college education of deserving youth across diverse communities.
Evolved from the foundation laid by the APPEND KILOS program, Educate A Child goes beyond conventional aid. It embraces a holistic approach, encompassing early childhood care, education provisions of essential supplies, technological empowerment, health and nutrition as well as fostering financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills.
Collaborating closely with local foundations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), our mission is to extend comprehensive educational support to empower 50,000 students within the next five years. Through these concerted efforts, we aspire not only to provide care, education and development but to kindle the flame of potential in each child, fostering a brighter future and a break from the chains of generational poverty.
