I’d be happy, too, if I got a laptop.
Shot an event last week for Procter & Gamble (P&G), a regular client for event shoots thru CaPRi, their PR agency, and I just had to post some pictures and the accompanying press release below from the event. I don’t usually do this but felt I needed to, as I was truly impressed and inspired by the program that commits to give 1 million laptops to public schools nationwide over a period of 25 years, in time for the company’s 100th year anniversary in the Philippines. I think every Filipino should support this program. Please read the press release below (unedited) and learn how you can make this huge undertaking a reality for the country’s students all over the country. And don’t forget to leave a comment or share it in Facebook and Twitter to help spread the word. Let’s make this happen, Philippines!
(Here’s the press release)
Isang laptop. Mas malawak na kaalaman. Mas magandang bukas.
P&G and partners give students laptops, connectivity with its e.Studyante program
December 2, 2011, Tondo, Manila – Students at the Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School discovered a new world of knowledge at the launch of the e.Studyante program an e-learning advocacy program of P&G Philippines done in partnership with Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Synergeia Foundation.
The e.Studyante program will provide beneficiary school children with laptops and internet connectivity. With these, students are enabled to enjoyably self-discover a wider world of knowledge that helps them be more competitive in the future. They learn while sharing and connecting with each other, their communities and with the world.
School children in the Philippines face many challenges; sometimes, even the simple walk to school in the morning can be an arduous journey. And when they arrive, they are faced with meager resources – overcrowded classrooms, the lack of books and school supplies – which all make for an uninspiring learning environment.
Through technology and connectivity, the e.Studyante program hopes to make the journey more worthwhile for students with tools that make learning fun, empowering, and even gives them access to the latest ideas and information that can be found online, keeping them in step with an increasingly technology-driven and connected world.
“The XO laptop was really designed to help empower the world’s poorest children through education. They’re not only very durable and energy-efficient they come with learning software for kids. Through these laptops, students become more engaged and involved in school. The process becomes less of the teacher talking and more of the students discovering things for themselves and learning from each other,” explained Chad Sotelo, Country Marketing Manager for the e.Studyante program.
“And through the internet, they have the connectivity that will place the world’s knowledge at their very fingertips. People and places that seemed so far away are now within reach through the web. All of these are tools which will help expand their horizons and pave the way for a brighter future,” Sotelo said.
The students of Manuel L. Quezon discovered this firsthand as video messages from supporters of the program were showed to them as they received their laptops – including an email from the President of the Philippines himself!
The kids also got the thrill of learning all about email by sending a reply to the President through the help of P&G volunteers, who guided them through the exercise of sending their very first email message.
And Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School is just the beginning for P&G and the e.Studyante program. In its 76th year, P&G is taking its commitment to education to the next level as it aims to give out 1,000,000 laptops in time for their centennial anniversary.
“But it’s not something we can do alone,” Sotelo said. “To help us reach our goal of 1,000,000 students, we would like to invite moms all over the country to support the e.Studyante program by buying P&G promo packs.”
People can support the e.Studyante program by buying specially marked P&G promo packs available nationwide. They not only save up to 40% on your favorite P&G products but they also help provide a child with a world of educational materials and fun activities that will inspire them to learn and achieve even more.
Participating brands include Safeguard, Tide, Pampers, Downy, Ariel, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Joy, Rejoice, Whisper, Olay, Gillette, Vicks and Ambi-Pur.
“We are really in this for the long-haul. In the next few months, our target is to give out a total of 400 laptops to five schools nationwide but we hope that with your support, we will be able to give even more laptops in the coming years. Our goal is to make the journey to school for 1,000,000 students more worthwhile by giving them laptops not just to learn but to share and connect with each other, with their communities and with the world – helping them all become an e.Studyante,” said Sotelo.
P&G enjoins all Filipinos to support the e.Studyante program and help gift each student with wider knowledge and a brighter future! To find out more about the e.Studyante program, visit the e.Studyante facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/e.StudyantePH.
(Some photos from the event)
4 Comments
Nice project hah, pwede ba maka avail yong Skull sa Lugar namin, Guihing, Central elementary school , ang skull po nmin has won as best implementor of brigada eskwela, sana u can also help us na mas maangat pa ang quality ng mga estudyante dito sa amin, ang mga laptop ay makatulong para mas handa and equiped ang mga studyante dito sa amin.
@Jo – Please go their facebook page and I’m sure the page admin can answer your question. I know the eStudyante Program covers Mindanao as well.
How can other schools avail these project like like schools Mindanao?
Students might misuse the supposed to be benefit. Parents and teachers should double time guiding them in the proper use of the said items.