Children across Visayas, Mindanao receive over 30,000 books from Globe Telecom

Over 100,000 children from war-torn Marawi City as well as various barangays of Samar, Negros Oriental, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Leyte, North Cotabato, Davao del Norte and Davao City have received over 30,000 books from Globe Telecom – a move aimed to promote literacy and help them regain a sense of normalcy.

Various humanitarian organizations have estimated that 50,000-80,000 children from Marawi are still recovering from the trauma caused by the terrorist siege. After months of conflict in the war-torn city, Globe commits to provide young Maranaos the needed psychosocial support by filling child-friendly spaces with fun and engaging books.

UNICEF has reported that the poorest and most disadvantaged children do not even have access to the necessary educational materials for academic development. These books are seen to remediate children with their learning delinquencies caused by the poverty and insecurity they face as a result of living in far-flung areas.

“We sympathize with our young kababayans who went through trying times of conflict and disruption. To do our share, we commit to provide them with humanitarian support and ultimately help them mold to become better citizens of the country,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications at Globe. “We hope these books will not only transmit knowledge, but also aid in rebuilding the dreams of our children.”

From interactive storybooks to popular young adult serials, these books will be distributed to different evacuation centers, day care centers, and community libraries across barangays in Visayas and Mindanao. Globe has also tapped Gawad Kalinga to organize storytelling sessions to encourage the youth to read and learn from the educational materials.

Students from Tambacan Elementary School, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte receive books from Globe Telecom.
Photo from Gawad Kalinga

“In every calamity, man-made or natural, the most affected in the long term are the children,” said Jose Luis Oquiñena, Executive Director of Gawad Kalinga. “Our response to the call to care for these little ones defines whether the calamity becomes a tragedy or an opportunity to build hope.”

As the government focuses on relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation, Globe continues to provide educational assistance for the affected communities. Globe early this year turned over a total of 20 bikes made by a total of 80 volunteers under Build-A-Bike program. These bikes were donated to children in Marawi aged three to six years old. Globe had partnered with the Philippine Air Force and the Marawi Task Force to have these bikes delivered from Manila to Laguindingan Airport in Mindanao.

These initiatives are banked on two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which promotes Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities. As leader of digital lifestyle, Globe is anchoring its key initiatives on its four-point program: Care for the Environment, Care for our People, Positive Societal Impact, and Digital Nation.