Ang Magiting - The Official Web Site of Rotary Club Makati North

RCMN: Adopt-A-Day Care Center

By: Betty Centeno

As the implementation of its “Adopt-A-Daycare Center Program”, the Rotary Club of Makati North (RCMN) turned over a donation of books, schools supplies, furniture and fixtures to the Sibol Daycare Center of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Ave Maria community in Tanay, Rizal, last September 24, 2011. This project was made possible through a District Simplified Grant (DSG).
A team composed of Pres. Archie Reaño, Spouse Tintin, Rotaractors Melissa Rafols and Katrina Danao, including staffers Betty Centeno and Moly Almenario, left the club’s office early morning of the same day for the few hours drive to the site. The group was warmly welcomed by volunteer teachers Jocel Miralles and Mardy Zarate, as well as the pupils of the Sibol Daycare Center, together with Mr. Dennis Arcilla, Provincial GK Head Coordinator, Ms. Raquel Majait, Rizal Area Coordinator and the community leaders of the Kapitbahayan Ave Maria.

The Sibol Daycare currently has 20 pupils, aged 3 1/2 to 6 yrs old, and serves as a center for the children’s intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual development and prepare them for elementary program with a value-based curriculum. The center also provides dynamic educational training to help in further development of the GK Ave Maria as a community of hope and respect. According to Mr. Arcilla, there are 28 families living in the GK Ave Maria site, or a total of 147 persons.

During a short program hosted by Mr. Caloy Balboa, Pres. Archie thanked the community residents and leaders for giving RCMN the opportunity to be part of the project, specially appreciating the two volunteer teachers for their work at the center. He also encouraged the parents to do their share in any way they can to support the school and help the community in general. The formal turnover was then held in the presence of the parents, pupils and community leaders.