Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the Catholic Church in the country, has set up a scholarship fund for “academically challenged” junior high school students.
The organization allocated Php65.5 million for its educational assistance as part of its Alay Kapwa Legacy Stewardship Program.
Bishop Jose Collin Bagaforo said the aim of the project is to provide at least 525 poor children “with equal access to primary and secondary education and skills and opportunities.”
“We need to invest in the education of our youth if we want more gold medals, better government and next-generation leaders,” said Bishop Bagaforo in a report on CBCP News.
Father Antonio Labiao, executive secretary of Caritas Philippines, said the educational assistance covers online learning and other school fees, tutorial services and training.
The program is integrated with Caritas’ family development program, which also includes food security, savings mobilization, enterprise development, citizenship building, and family feeding.
“We are hoping that with these interventions, we will be able to realize our mandate to instill mercy, justice and sustainable development as pillars of our faith and action,” said Father Labiao.
Launched in 2021, the Alay Kapwa Legacy Stewardship Program is Caritas Philippines’ contribution to the initiatives in celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the country.
