Rotary brings bright hope for poor kids

Sta. Barbara, Iloilo – Their parents have been shunned by society because of a long-dreaded, but misunderstood, disease called leprosy. As a result, the 229 pupils at the West Visayas Sanitarium elementary school are so poor they couldn't afford to buy school supplies.

ROTARY'S LITERACY PROJECT. School children from the West Visayas Sanitarium in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo whoop it up in glee after receiving notebooks, pencils and erasers from the Rotary Club of Iloilo City led by its president, Provincial Administrator Manuel "Boy" Mejorada. The school supplies were donated by its sister club, Rotary Club of Sea Goyang, in support of the Literacy Education Program of Rotary International.

Yesterday, bright hope sparkled in the eyes of these pupils as the Rotary Club of Iloilo City (RCIC) distributed notebooks, pencils and erasers to help them build their literacy skills and overcome the stigma of their parents by growing up to be intelligent individuals.

“We were so touched by the excitement and joy we saw in the eyes of the children,” Provincial Administrator Manuel “Boy” Mejorada, the club president, said. “These school supplies really meant a lot to them.”

Mejorada said the school supplies were a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Sae-Goyang, South Korea, a sister club that has been helpful in pursuing the RCIC's projects for literacy and education.

At the same time, the RCIC donated a set of used youth encyclopedia and books to provide the children with adequate reading materials and encourage them to develop a deep interest in reading.

Club Treasurer Lendry Certeza turned over the books that his brother, real estate developer Bernan Certeza, had given to the club in support of its literacy and education initiatives.

RI District 3850 past district governor Oscar “Oca” Nava said the WVS Elementary School will become an “adopted” school of the Club and more efforts to provide educational materials will be pursued by its members.

This early, past president Geoffrey Stammers is organizing a Christmas party for the school children scheduled for Dec. 19 this year. “We want to give these kids a big blow-out for Christmas and make them feel society has not abandoned them,” Stammers said.

WVS Elementary School principal Mrs. Felly Souribio expressed great gratitude to Rotary's help for the pupils. “This has opened a door of opportunity for them to gain more knowledge and education,” she said.

“Thank you very much Rotary Clubs of Sae-Goyang and Iloilo City,” the children shouted as they received their learning tools.