In continuous support for the Bangsamoro children and as part of efforts to help rebuild Marawi City, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) has signed a partnership agreement with The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) to bring the Ronald McDonald Read to Learn Program in public elementary schools in the city.
The partnership between RMHC, McDonald’s Philippines’ charity of choice, and MBHTE will benefit at least 5,500 students in Marawi City.
The Ronald McDonald Read to Learn program aims to teach beginning reading by providing reading materials for Grade 1 and 2 public elementary school learners.
Every partner school will be equipped with children’s big books, student worksheets, teacher lesson plans and learning charts. The program also provides training for teachers and school heads.
McDonald’s has been supporting the rehabilitation of Marawi City since it was liberated in October 2017.
Last year, RMHC opened its largest Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit to date in Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City which has been welcoming around 70 children each day. The Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit provides these children with a safe place for both learning and play.The adoption of the Read to Learn program in 20 public schools in Marawi City further strengthens McDonald’s commitment to the community through RMHC.
“We are pleased to support Marawi in more ways with our partnership with MBHTE. While we have already opened a Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit learning center for the children in the area, we would like to make a difference in the lives of more kids across different age groups through our flagship program for basic literacy,” said Marie Angeles, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines.
Recognizing that much still needs to be done for the children of Marawi, McDonald’s and RMHC aim to have the Ronald McDonald Read to Learn program for the remaining 24 public elementary schools in the city.
“Everyone can participate and help Marawi. At McDonald’s, for every Happy Meal sold, a portion of the sale is donated to RMHC. We also have donations in canisters located in our counters where your spare change can change a life of a child,” said McDonald's Philippines corporate communications head and RMHC Board Member Adi Timbol-Hernandez.
Since the program began in 2002, RMHC has already partnered with close to 10,000 schools nationwide, which has benefitted around 12 million students and has trained over 27,000 teachers.
