Representatives of MoneyGram International traveled to the remote barrios of Banaue, Ifugao to help school children achieve their dreams through the School-in-a-Box program.
A collaboration between MoneyGram and the Black Pencil Project, the School-in-a-Box aims to provide sufficient education materials and school packs to underserved schools in far-flung areas of the Philippines.
As part of its commitment, MoneyGram extended P1 million worth of educational supplies to the project.
On this final leg of the program, MoneyGram and Black Pencil visited the Cambulo, Matao and Pula elementary schools in Banaue. A total of 500 pupils from day care up to Grade 6 levels received school packs from the activity.
“We at MoneyGram believe in the transformative power of education in the lives of people. We believe that it is both a duty and a privilege for corporations such as ours to involve ourselves and do our part in helping uplift communities by promoting learning and literacy,” said Alex Chan Lim, MoneyGram country manager.
“This latest leg of our School-in-a-Box program in Banaue, Ifugao is proof of our commitment to help empower young minds no matter the distance, no matter the challenge, no matter the cost,” Lim added.
This is the second year MoneyGram has partnered with Black Pencil for its educational outreach. The firm has also independently supported other education-related endeavors, such as its book donation to the University of the Philippines Integrated School and classroom donations in Central Visayas.
“It is very encouraging for us at Black Pencil to have partnered with a company that is as passionate about education as we are. We commend MoneyGram for its consistency and dedication in making a difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth. We look forward to working with them again in our future outreaches,” said Mon Corpuz, founder of the Black Pencil Project.
Banaue is in the northernmost tip of the province of Ifugao, and is approximately a 15-hour trip from Metro Manila. Known for its beautiful scenery—particularly the Banaue Rice Terraces—the rough and mountainous terrain of barangays Cambulo, Matao and Pula make it difficult for pupils to access learning tools that are normally available to students in the lowlands.
The Black Pencil Project is an independent civilian volunteer organization founded by photographer Mon Corpuz in June 2008. It assists schools from far-flung areas all over the country.
