Number 1 in Joy (Manila Bulletin)
The Joy Schools Program from Manila to Tacloban
It’s not every day that you see a school like Sampaloc Site II Elementary School. Sure, the scenes of crowded alleyways filled with people leading up to the school may be commonplace in most urban areas. The sight of some 60 children squeezed into too hot and small classrooms may be something millions of other students experience every day too. But Sampaloc Site II is extraordinary because in spite of all these challenges, the school managed to attain what was unthinkable achieve the #1 rank among all public elementary schools inParanaque City.
A recent article even cited Sampaloc Site II Elementary as one of the most congested schools in Metro Manila, according to the Department of Education (DepEd). One step into the school and you will see it’s true. Every year the population of some 2,900 students continues to grow, with the number of classrooms not quite growing as fast. But in this school that lies in the heart of a community struggling everyday to survive, joy is alive and well thanks in part to Mondelez Philippines’ Joy Schools program. The school has exceeded its limitations and is now the #1 ranked school of its kind in Paranaque, based on the National Achievement Test (NAT).
Problems in nutrition, teacher training and facilities improvement faced with joy.
These are the three most pressing problems of students in school these days. How can one listen to class when the sound of a grumbling stomach is louder than teacher’s voice? How can you enjoy listening to teacher if there are 59 other students vying for her attention? And how can you look forward to going to school when you know your chair is broken and it rains from the ceiling? How can going to school become motivating with all of these problems?
The answer lies, as Mondelez Philippines sees it, in providing solutions for all three areas. That’s how the Joy Schools program was created. Then named Kraft Foods, the Company talked to its only adopted school at the time, chosen for sharing its hometown of Paranaque City Sampaloc Site II Elementary.
“That’s the simple action we took to begin,” shares Maria Cindy C. Lim, Head of Corporate and Government Affairs of Mondelez Philippines. “We asked the school Principal at the time what they needed to be a good school. The answer became apparent to not only look at one area but to provide for the most critical and interconnected of problems. The goal was to make every school day something to look forward to one where kids would experience joy in learning.”
So it began in 2011 that Mondelez Philippines adopted Sampaloc Site II and implemented the Joy Schoolsprogram. As the Company relates they focused on a mission, to make the school one of the Top 10 in the City based on its performance on the NAT. Administered to Grade 6 students, it measures students’ aptitude and is a reflection of how well the school performs and develops.
A David among 22 Other Schools.
“We thought it was an ambitious goal,” adds the current Principal Marita Briones of Sampaloc Site II Elementary. “There are much bigger and welldeveloped schools in the City. How could we compete with them? But as we saw the support from Mondelez Philippines, we began to feel hopeful. The 9month daily feeding program really makes our students present and energized in class, the training is something our teachers appeciate very much, and the improvements in our facilities like better bathrooms, kitchens and libraries are very much needed.”
During the first year of the program came the surprise. From a #8 ranking in Paranaque, the school achieved the #2 rank. Such an achievement was heralded not only in the school but also inside,among the people of Mondelez Philippines who as volunteers for the program felt proud of helping the school achieve such a feat. Though setbacks were experienced during the 2nd year of the program, the school, the Department of Education’s Paranaque Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Joel T. San Luis and the Company together fought hard to continue bringing joy.
During the 3rd year, improvements were made to the Joy Schools program. The former fortified bread feeding was changed to providing full meals of rice, viand and fruit to the 150 beneficiaries of the school. Training was expanded for teachers and facilities renovationwas stepped up. Dr. San Luis also continued to motivate and encourage the school. Undeterred by the setbacks, Mondelez Philippines even expanded the program and adopted four more schools in Metro Manila.
#1 with Joy.
While preparing for the 4th year of adopting Sampaloc Site II, the news came. The 20132014 National Achievement Test showed the school ranked #1 among 22 other schools in its Gity with a mean percentage score of 88.16 pts. The “little congested school that could” proved that it really can succeed.
“We are thankful to Mondelez Philippines for their continued support,” shares Principal Briones. “They inspire and motivate us to be a better school and create joy everyday for our students.”
While the same joy lives in the adopted schools in Pateros, Muntinlupa, Manila and Pasay, another school of joy is rising in the Visayas. Amidst the rubble and despair brought by Typhoon Yolanda, the 6th Joy School in Tacloban, Leyte is working to bring back normalcy to their students’ and teachers’ lives.
“Our adopted school in Tacloban has much more to overcome,” admits Lim. “But the shining example of Sampaloc Site II tells us that regardless of obstacles, joy can always be created and we’re excited to see this happen once again.”
Goodbye to Sorrow, Hello to Joy!
Looking at Marian with her bright and expressive eyes, you would never have thought that she has lived through a tragedy in her young years. “My mother and I almost drowned inside our school. After, I tried drying my notebooks but they were stolen from me.” This was during Typhoon Yolanda, a time that many still look back on with fear and sadness. But Marian, perhaps thanks to her youth, maintains a hopeful attitude. “I still dream of finishing my studies,” she says.
After heartache and the tears that come with it, there comes a moment when you shake of your shoulders and think to yourself, “Enough.” It’s then that you become open to the possibilities of tomorrow, to hoping for a better life again. That time has come for one school in Tacloban, Leyte. In fact, they’re beyond happy; they’re opening themselves to feel and create joy again.
There is no magic potion for forgetfulness that can ever wipe away the nightmares that Typhoon Yolanda brought. Even now, nearing its first anniversary people still speak of it in hushed tones, remembering all too well that horrible things happened during that period of time. And they can never be forgotten or erased. The best anyone can do is to move forward. That’s exactly what Mondelez Philippines is helping one school do in Tacloban.
The reality behind the headlines.
Panalaron Central Elementary School in Tacloban City lived the horror behind the headlines last year. Perilous floodwaters, school property damaged beyond repair, decades of records and memento swept away, and lives merely seeking shelter were lost to the waters.
These were things that happened just on that fateful day. The uncertainty and helplessness which pervaded weeks after were equally difficult to overcome. “When we first came to Panalaron in January of 2014, it was clear that the Typhoon left more than physical scars,” shares Lim.
The Company together with partner the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) went to Tacloban with the express intent of looking for another school for its Joy Schools program. Continues Lim, “But apart from the obvious damage, there was one thing that made it imperative that we do our part as many other organizations were doing. There was hope; in the shy smiles of the students and the eyes of the teachers. It was that hope that propelled us to adopt Panalaron as our 6th Joy School and hopefully replicate the joy that we have created for our other schools.”
Joy and a Little Something More.
If you visit Panalaron, the transformation becomes evident. Apart from 18 classrooms that were rebuilt and facilities made whole again, new additions were made so that the school would not only be functional, but able to stand on its own moving forward.
Water and energy, and the funds for both are problems not. only of schools in Tacloban but in many other schools nationwide. Using technology that is present inside its own factory in Paranaque City, Mondelez Philippines installed solar panels and solatubes (or structures that filter down natural light) so that the school need not consume electricity in the morning, and use solar power at night.
Rain, which is a constant presence in the Region, was also transformed from a problem into a solution through rainwater harvesting tanks, which are now used to provide water for bathrooms, and washing. Making the most of children’s energy for play, a deep well seesaw and carousel were installed so that while children learn to have fun again, the water pumped by mechanisms is collected in tanks and stored for future use.
“This is the most memorable event in Panalaron Central School. The Joy Schools program will give us inspiration that will bring joy to our children, our teachers, our parents,” says Principal Asela P. Refuerzo of the school. “The program has made us very much happy. With Mondelez Philippines’ care and perseverance for our school, I think it’s not enough to say Thank You. We are very lucky to have with us this Company who really.shared their blessings with us, their talents and their gifts.”
Where there were once sad memories, joy has entered. But much like scars, memories and other things that fade only in time, those left behind by Typhoon Yolanda cannot soon be forgotten. Which is why for the next three years, The Company pledges to stand by Panalaron Central Elementary School’s side.
To guide, to support and to create delicious moments of joy. For more information on Mondelez Philippines and how it creates joy, visit www.mondelezinternational.com/ph.
Source: Manila Bulletin, p.6, October 13, 2014