NSRC

Bridging Gaps in Education The “Batang KNL” project was developed by UP Red Cross Youth in collaboration with the Krus Na Ligas (KNL) Association for Hope and Unity and Lakas ng Nagkakaisang Kababaihan sa Barangay UP Campus.  Derick Cabotage, External Vice President of UP Red Cross Youth, shared that one day, a member who had been working with the KNL mothers’ association reached out asking if they would consider helping with their community learning hub. Despite the lack of formal training or qualifications to teach at the time, the team decided to visit the Learning Hub to see what they could do. They met Tita Wilma, Tita Maricris, Teacher Joshua, and some of the kids in the community and decided to move forward with the project. Following consultations with everyone in the organization, the initiative gained momentum, and their story with the Learning Hub began to unfold. This strategic partnership was crucial in identifying the needs of the community and ensuring that the project was tailored to address them effectively. A Community-Centric Approach At its core, “Batang KNL” aimed to support grade school children who needed extra lessons and who were eager to learn new skills outside their regular school curriculum. Recognizing the diverse educational needs of children in Krus Na Ligas, the project created a safe and nurturing environment at the Krus Na Ligas Community Learning Hub, where children could engage in various learning activities. Innovative Learning Strategies The project adopted a holistic approach to education, incorporating academic support with fun-filled activities. Volunteers from the UP Red Cross Youth, along with members of their partner organizations, dedicated their time and effort to offer a wide range of activities. These included: Challenges Encountered Throughout their 8 month-long journey, the learning hub faced numerous challenges. One of the most frequent issues was coordinating schedules and finding volunteer teachers each week. Sometimes, recruiting volunteers was easy but other times it was a struggle. The team often had to support each other and, although their work was incredibly fulfilling, it was also tiring at times. Due to difficulties in finding available members to […]