My Dream in a Shoebox Year 13 aims to build an E-Hub to support Filipino youth in the pandemic learning

Education is the key for children to achieve their dreams and aspirations in life. But with the pandemic limiting the access of around 27 million Filipino children, it is imperative that we continue to instill hope and lifelong learnings into their minds. One way we can do this is by ensuring that children get proper education so they can make their dreams come true.

TeamAsia—an integrated marketing experience agency—recognizes the vital role of education for children to recover from the aftermath of the pandemic in the years to come. This is why the company is kicking off its annual education campaign program, My Dream in a Shoebox (MDIAS) to enable children to continue their education, especially during the second school year in the midst of the pandemic.

“Education is the most powerful tool we can equip children with to help them break the cycle of poverty and create new opportunities for them to succeed and map out their own future.  The impact of the pandemic only heightens the importance of making sure that every child, especially those who are less fortunate, continuously have access to quality education and the tools they need to conquer and learn in the now normal,” said TeamAsia’s Managing Director and MDIAS Chief Dream Builder, Bea Lim.

In its 13th year, MDIAS will be holding a fundraising campaign in partnership again with the Yellow Boat of Hope (YBH) Foundation—a non-government organization that ensures every child in the Philippines experiences quality education. MDIAS and YBH have previously worked together to help empower children through education to reach their dreams. This year, the two organizations are teaming up once more to help children who are struggling with the blended learning system.

“Even before the pandemic, there are a lot of factors as to why Filipino children are out of school. The pandemic highlighted these challenges even further, reason why we need to reimagine how we do education here in the Philippines and think of long-term solutions to enable children to stay in school,” said Anton Mari H. Lim, Co-Founder of Yellow Boat of Hope. “And Yellow Boat of Hope is very happy to be taking this journey with My Dream in a Shoebox to make Filipino children’s bigger dreams come true.”

MDIAS is raising funds for two causes this school year. First is to fund an E-Hub in one of the far flung provinces of the Philippines that will provide children with tools and equipment they need for blended learning. The goal is to raise PHP150,000 to provide a community with six laptops, internet connection for a year, printer and printing supplies, school supplies, face masks, alcohol, and allowance for logistical expenses.

Second, MDIAS will be calling for donations to raise PHP250,000 to support 10 scholars in each of its 10 partner communities from all over the Philippines. The donations will help finance the child’s supplies for school projects, parent’s transportation expenses in getting the scholars’ self-learning modules from school, and hygiene kits with face masks and alcohol for their daily needs.

TeamAsia believes that now more than ever, it is important that everyone continue supporting and empowering children, especially in creating ways for them to keep learning. Through these efforts, children have the potential to take charge of their future and make their #BiggerDreams come true.

Since 2009, MDIAS has been equipping less fortunate Filipino children with educational assistance. It started with a modest collection of 200 shoeboxes from TeamAsia’s industry partners and friends, containing school supplies to inspire children to go to school. From there, it flourished and has expanded to sponsoring students from various partner communities across the country and impacted as much as 500,000 lives.

If you’re interested to take part in this year’s MDIAS campaign, you may follow these steps to donate:

Step 1: Visit MDIAS website

Step 2: Scroll down and click the ‘Make a Donation’ button.

Step 3: Choose which of the two causes you would like to donate to–Fund an E-Hub or Support a Scholar? You can also choose both!

Step 4: If you wish to fund an E-Hub, you can just input the amount you would like to donate and click ‘Make a Donation’. But if you want to support a scholar or a community, you can only donate PHP2,500 and PHP25,000 respectively.

Step 5: Review your cart and hit ‘Proceed to Checkout’.

Step 6: Fill up the Billing Form, choose your mode of payment, click ‘Place Order’, and you’re done!

“The pandemic may be challenging, but it has highlighted the value of working and banding together to recover, heal, and make a change no matter how grave the aftermath is. Through this program, we have an opportunity and a shared responsibility to help children rise above these unfortunate events and turn their #BiggerDreams into reality,” said Lim.

Source: Malaya Business Insight