OUR STORY
Back to School: A Story of Support in Santa Praxedes
As school bells rang again, marking the return to face-to-face classes after more than two years of pandemic isolation, Green Heart Foundation saw an opportunity on August 16, 2022 to ease students’ transition back to the classroom.
We focused our attention on Santa Praxedes National High School, where many students faced the challenge of returning to school with limited resources. Understanding that proper school supplies are essential for learning success, the foundation stepped forward to provide school bags and supplies to high school students.
The simple act of handing over new school bags filled with supplies brought smiles to young faces eager to embrace normal school life again. More than just materials, we were delivering hope and encouragement for students starting a new chapter in their education journey.
This initiative reflected our belief that supporting education through simple acts can create lasting impact. As students shouldered their new bags and supplies, we saw our mission of ‘Small Act, Big Impact’ come to life in the hopeful eyes of Santa Praxedes’ youth.
Supporting education remains a crucial part of building stronger communities, and we’re proud to have helped these students step confidently back into their classrooms.
A follow up visit is scheduled on December 2024, to hand over the same students with their 2-year miscellaneous fees.
Activity
In support of students returning to face-to-face classes, Green Heart Foundation conducted a school supplies distribution program at Santa Praxedes National High School. The initiative aimed to provide essential educational materials to high school students as they resumed regular classroom learning after two years of pandemic restrictions.
Preparation Phase:
The foundation began by coordinating with school administration to determine student needs and establish distribution protocols. A comprehensive inventory of required supplies was developed, followed by systematic procurement of school bags and materials. Each package was carefully prepared to ensure equal distribution among students.
Implementation:
The distribution event was conducted in an orderly manner, with students receiving their supplies by section. A brief ceremony marked the handover, emphasizing the importance of education and community support. The foundation team ensured proper documentation through attendance sheets and photography.
Outcomes:
All targeted students received school bags containing essential supplies, enabling them to start their face-to-face classes fully equipped. The school administration expressed appreciation for this timely support, noting its positive impact on student morale and readiness for the new school year.
Follow-up Actions:
Post-distribution activities included documentation completion, sharing of photos with stakeholders, and maintaining communication with school administration for potential future support initiatives.
This successful implementation demonstrated the foundation’s commitment to supporting education through practical, well-organized community programs.
Volunteers
Volunteers:
Rosela Ramos
Delia Mistanza
Faith Erika Tubera
Yssa Domingo
Florie Viernes
Jamaica De Peralta
Richard Ragudo
Renel Ramos
Recipients
30 High School Students
Santa Praxedes National Highschool
Funds and Resources
Php 60,000.00
Recognition
All volunteers
What went well
The school supply distribution ran smoothly as planned. School officials helped plan everything well, providing clear lists and supporting our coordination efforts. Everyone knew what to do and when to do it.
Getting the supplies to the school and distributing them worked like clockwork. Each school bag was properly packed, and students received them in an organized way, section by section. We maintained good records and took photos to document the event.
The students themselves made the day special. They attended in full force, followed instructions well, and showed genuine appreciation for their new school supplies. Their smiles told us we were making a difference.
Most importantly, we achieved our goal: helping students start face-to-face classes with the supplies they needed.
The whole experience showed us that simple acts of kindness, when well-organized, can make a big impact on young lives.
What went wrong
Planning Gaps:
The timing of our coordination could have been better. Starting our planning earlier would have given us more time to prepare and possibly reach more students. We also noticed some inconsistencies in our student lists, as some names were updated only on distribution day.
Documentation Issues:
Student acknowledgment forms could have been better organized to speed up the signing process.
Most importantly, we learned that while our support was appreciated, a more sustainable approach involving follow-up activities could have created longer-lasting impact. These challenges, though minor, provided valuable lessons for improving future distributions.
What we learned
Our school supplies distribution taught us important lessons. While giving bags and supplies helped students start classes, we saw they needed more support. Many families struggle and asked for school miscellaneous fees, not just supplies.
Main Insights:
Start planning earlier
Check supplies better
Keep better records
Consider helping with school fees
Stay in touch with school officials
Most importantly, we learned that helping with school fees, along with supplies, could keep more students in school. Some families need both kinds of support to keep their children studying.
For future programs, we’ll look at supporting both supplies and fees for students who need it most.
What we will improve next time
Next time, we’ll do more than just give school supplies. In December 2024, we plan to help the same students by paying their school fees for two years. This means families won’t have to worry about miscellaneous fees, and students can focus on their studies. To make this work better, we will:
Plan earlier with school officials
Get complete student lists
Check supplies carefully
Keep better records
Choose students who need fee support most
This bigger support shows how Green Heart Foundation helps in ways that last longer. When we cover school fees for two years, we’re not just helping for a day – we’re helping students stay in school and build their future.