Black Pencil Project and Fanatic Photographers Society of Davao tapped 1003rd Infantry Brigade to provide scholarship to 45 Lumad children

by 1Lt. Harold A. Ho (Inf) PA

Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte – Forty five (45) children from the Maguintalunan tribe, a Lumad community in Brgy New Visayas, Davao del Norte were selected as beneficiaries of a 1-year scholarship grant by the Fanatic Photographers Society (FPS) last May 15, 2009. This program is spearheaded by FPS in coordination with the Manila-based Black Pencil Project (BPP), DepEd, MSWD, LGU of Brgy New Visayas and the 1003^rdInfantry (Raptor) Brigade. The objective is to provide free scholarship to the children living in the poorest Lumad community in the Municipality of Sto. Tomas.

The Fanatic Photographers Society (FPS) is an online community of photographers based in Davao City while the Black Pencil Project (BPP) is an advocacy group of photographers based in Manila which provides school materials to remote and indigent communities nationwide. These organizations tapped the 1003^rd Infantry Brigade in identifying communities as beneficiary for their Back-to-School Program in Sto. Tomas.

An ocular visit by members of FPS was conducted last March 24, 2009 in Sto. Tomas. They were assisted by teachers, barangay officials and Brigade personnel of the area. During the visit, the group found out that the majority of the children are not able to continue their studies due to financial concerns. Since it is the goal of FPS to help the kids of the Maguintalunan tribe, the group wasted no time in soliciting assistance from their friends. The network of friends reached not only in Davao but also in Manila who expressed their commitment to help the schooling of the Day Care students of this tribe.

In the morning of May 15, 2009, FPS and BPP members visited the community together with MSWD officials and 1LT HAROLD A HO (INF) PA, the Brigade CMO Officer. They selected forty five (45) children who will benefit in the 1-year scholarship program intended for Day Care students. These beneficiaries will receive school supplies such as notebooks, pencils and crayons. Books, toys, book shelves and visual aids are supplementary materials that will be provided to the Day Care Center. Financial support will also be given to cover the students’ Day Care fees. Due to the overwhelming assistance, the parents of the beneficiaries promised to monitor the academic performances of their children and that they’ll support the activities of the Day Care Center.

Another trip by FPS to Sto. Tomas is being scheduled and this is for the distribution of school materials to the Day Care students before the opening of classes.