Initiated in year 2000, the Adopt-a-School Project aims to enhance the pupils’ academic performance among Dole Philippines, Inc.’s six (6) adopted public elementary schools. To achieve this objective, the project has distributed supplemental textbooks/reading and reference materials; conducted Teachers’ Training and monitoring and evaluation in partnership with Dole Philippines School; and provided infrastructure support. The project forms part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), implemented in partnership with Mahintana, the Rotary Club International, and READ Philippines (formerly MOVE ON Philippines).
In March 15, 2011, Mahintana in coordination with Dole Philippines, Inc. distributed a total of 248 reading and reference materials in the two (2) schools of Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu. These were New Cebu Elementary School and Day Care Center, with a total number of 109 students and Tubog Elementary School and Day Care Center, with a total number of 98 students. The students received a total of 138 and 110 assorted educational books from READ Philippines, respectively.
Though non-adopted schools of Dole Philippines, Inc., they were two (2) of the identified school-beneficiaries situated in Geographically Isolated and Displaced Areas (GIDA), places where the company and Mahintana seek to extend their reach in helping communities. The books were brought at a distance that crossed several mountains and a river before reaching the schools’ site.
Beneficiary-students were very grateful when they learned that the books were given for their use. The big and happy smiles they manifested as they helped carry and open the boxes indicate their uplifted spirits and morale. As the students had expressed, they are more encouraged to attend their classes despite the trek from home to school and the given terrain.
