IP children get help from women org, soldiers, NGOs
Local News • 11:15 AM Sat Aug 10, 2019
1
By:
Edwin O. Fernandez
Aileen Usob Hualde (left), WORMD executive director, prepares the slippers for distribution to IP children during an outreach program in South Upi, Maguindanao. Other photos show the activity inside the school. (Photo WORMD organization)
SOUTH UPI, Maguindanao – A total of 135 pupils of a far-flung primary school in Maguindanao have benefitted from an outreach program organized by Women Organization of Rajah Mamalu Descendants (WORMD) and participated by multi-sectoral groups on Friday.
Aileen Usob Hualde, WORMD executive director, has partnered with the local government of South Upi, 6th Infantry (Redskin) Battalion, Army Warrior Angels and other civil society organizations to bring services to Tumbaga Primary School in Sitio Linamas, Barangay Romongaob, South Upi.
WORMD is a UN Women partner organization.
The outreach program includes feeding, distribution of medicine, slippers, dental kits and free haircut for 135 pupils.
Those who brought goodies to the Indigenous Peoples (IP) children had to walk for several kilometers to reach the school that was named after Timuay Andres Angias Tumbaga.
Tumbaga, a tribal leader, donated one hectare for the school and the school building was donated by Lumad Development Center Incorporated and another classroom building was built under the funds from UNICEF through BALAY NGO.
Hualde said it was her passion to extend help in whatever way to less fortunate people of the upland towns of Maguindanao.
“It’s a personal passion, I am happy when I see children smile for what I have done,” Hualde said adding that she was glad the soldiers and the Army Warrior Angels, an association of women composed of soldiers’ spouses, readily extended help.