Thomasian G.U.G.M.A. Supports Katiclan, Nabataan School Learning Resource Centers


Story & Photos By Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga

As part of the solidarity and actions to achieve Sustainable Development Goal No. 4, Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos Community Extension and Development Office (CEDO) supported the School Learning Centers (SLRC) of two adopted schools.

Books for nursery, kindergarten, and grades one through six, play rubber mats, toys and bookshelves were delivered to Katiclan Elementary School and Nabataan Elementary School last January 16 and 17, 2023, respectively.

Nabataan ES

Thomasian teachers and staff arranged and set up the books and shelves and welcomed the pupils of Nabataan ES into the SLRC, which was just a designated corner at the biggest classroom of the school. The pupils immediately found themselves seated on the rubber mats as they witnessed the short turn-over and signing ceremony between CST-R and Nabataan ES. This elementary school is home to 114 pupils and nine teachers.

Katiclan ES

Meanwhile, in Katiclan ES, pupils eager to browse their new books had to visit the temporary pending space by groups two or three since their SLRC is yet to be re-constructed. The previous SLRC was completely destroyed by typhoon Odette in December 2021. The Katiclan ES Principal’s Office presently serves as SLRC and houses the learning support materials from CEDO.

Ms. Rose Almaras, principal at Katiclan ES, shared that the new SLRC will be fully completed in March this year. Almaras is grateful because the first batch of learning materials from CEDO will be the first for their new learning resource center.

The Heart of CEDO

The two schools were adopted under CST-R’s G.U.G.M.A. project. As an acronym, G.U.G.M.A translates into love or charity and it means the Giving of Ultimate Gifts, Memories & Assistance to public elementary school-communities in need of support. This project is under CST-R CEDO.

G.U.G.M.A. is the result of the solidarity of Thomasian alumni, private benefactors, the OAR Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, alumni of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, YACAP Partylist and the Thomasian faculty, staff and religious administrators, past and present.

#Together this community of volunteers and benefactors work towards achieving Quality Education for all Filipino children.

Learn-&-Earn-A-Gift Pantry. Katiclan Elementary School’s pupils earn their toys by acquiring learning skills in exchange for used toys and clothing.
Eager Readers. Pupils of Katiclan ES eagerly browsed their new books. They took turns sitting on the play mat spread temporarily in their principal’s office.
G.U.G.M.A. for Katiclan. Rev. Fr. Excel Saycon, OAR, the director of CEDO, leads the Thomasian volunteers during the delivery of learning resources to Katiclan ES.

 

Together for Nabataan ES. Thomasian teachers put together the rubber mat for the reading corner.
Gracias! Nabataan ES pupils wave as they say their “Gracias!” to Rev. Fr. Keneth Pahamutang, OAR, a benefactor and a former teacher of CST-R, who is now a missionary in Cuba.
For Quality Education. Fr. Saycon (L) signs the turn-over documents with Mr. Reynante Chavez, head teacher of Nabataan ES.
Solidarity for Education. Katiclan ES and CST-R teachers with Fr. Excel and Ms. Rose Almaras, principal.
G.U.G.M.A. for Nabataan. Nabataan ES and CST-R teachers at the school facade.

 

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