British Philanthropist Donates School Kits, Rain Gear to Over 600 Manila Children

MANILA, Philippines — British philanthropist Jonathan Michael Sterling has expanded his support for public school kindergarteners in Metro Manila, with over 600 children receiving essential supplies and aid in separate gift-giving events held on September 2 and 7. Kindergarten pupils at Sta. Ana Elementary School, numbering around 300, received raincoats, school supplies, and food packs, coinciding with the rainy season. Five days prior, 317 kindergarteners at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School in Tayuman were recipients of similar kits. These distributions are part of an ongoing series of charitable activities sponsored by Sterling, a British philanthropist. Previous rounds of aid had been conducted at Eulogio Rodriguez Integrated School in Mandaluyong City and Santolan Elementary School in Pasig City. In total, more than 600 children across these two Manila schools benefited from his generosity within a week. At Sta. Ana Elementary School, Master Teacher II Rochel Aliwalas, speaking for Principal Maria Bernadeth A. Pablo, emphasized that the value of the activity extends beyond mere material gifts. She described it as an expression of care, love, and support for children in need, particularly those from families with limited resources. Aliwalas noted that Sterling's simple act of kindness can serve as a significant inspiration and have a lasting impact on the children's lives. Parents, like PTA officer Patty Quindipan, also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity provided by Sterling. Similarly, Principal Diana Flor Eco of Andres Bonifacio Elementary School highlighted how the donation alleviates financial burdens for many households in the community, where most pupils come from low-income families. She conveyed deep gratitude from both the school and the parents, expressing hope for a continued partnership between the school and Sterling's organization for sustained student support. Master Teacher Diane Kristel Rozol acknowledged the children's consistent attendance despite hardships and Sterling's willingness to give without hesitation. She voiced hope that the support would continue and extend to other schools beyond Andres Bonifacio. Parents at Andres Bonifacio shared their children's joy, with some noting the excitement over additional coloring materials. The distributions were facilitated by school teachers and parent volunteers. The gift-giving events took place in the same week Sterling formally opened the headquarters of his software company, Pleased, in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). The company also committed to creating over 100 high-skill tech jobs for Filipino workers within the next year. Teachers and parents at both schools expressed a shared hope for the continuation of such initiatives, looking forward to future support for the children. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo