Millions of Filipino children face uncertainty as access to education remains a key national issue, with nearly 20% of students not in school, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. In Mindanao, poverty is the primary reason keeping children out of school. However, individuals and organizations are lending support to initiatives to make education more accessible, such as Project Damlag, a program that brings together sponsors to help fund the education of students at Napalico High School. Recently, the remote Filipino employees of Window Treatment Marketing Pros (WTMP) started a small donation drive to support Project Damlag, which was later matched by WTMP CEO William Hanke, resulting in the sponsorship of 46 students, the biggest contribution Project Damlag has received in its 13-year history. This initiative highlights the impact of collective efforts in providing opportunities for those who need them, and demonstrates the value of “Bayanihan,” a centuries-old Filipino value of helping each other.
