DepEd and Amway Philippines launch EaseKul project and donate laptops to enable continuous learning amid pandemic
Amway Philippines, together with long-time CSR partner Department of Education (DepEd), has donated used laptops to public schools to enable continuous learning amid the pandemic. The partners are also launching EaseKul (pronounced as “iskul”) – a project that will provide trainings on health, beauty, and agriculture to help augment the incomes of displaced parents and teachers in these trying times.
As classes resume and shift to digital platforms in the middle of a health pandemic, the direct selling company and DepEd started the Oplan Balik-Skwela project: kicking off with a donation of laptops to 10 public schools last August 17, 2020. During the turnover, several school representatives received the laptops, remarking on how the donation will be of much help. “Simula po nung dumating ako sa school, wala pa rin silang laptop,” Roger Malawit, Principal of Magumbali Elementary School North District in Pampanga, gratefully expressed. (Ever since I started teaching in the school, they had no laptops.) Aside from Pampanga, other areas selected for the donation include Malolos, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, and Mandaluyong.
“Meanwhile, EaseKul is part of DepEd’s Learning Continuity Program (LCP) and hopes to extend learning opportunities to stay-at-home moms and dads and displaced teachers so they can gain new skills to help augment their income,” says Leni Olmedo, Country Manager of Amway Philippines. “We’ve always offered trainings on agri-farming, livelihood, beauty, and health and wellness among our direct sellers or Amway Business Owners (ABOs) to help build their skill sets. Now, we are extending those training modules to others, but we have modified them to better fit our new audience.”
Donation turnover in Amway’s office attended by DepEd officials Usec. Tonisito Umali, Esq., Partnership Director Edel Carag, and Partnership Officer Carol Labrague, and Amway representatives: Country Manager Leni Olmedo, CSR Lead Owen Rea, NCR Volunteer Team Leader Michael Padre, HR Manager JM Federico, Sales Manager Edmund Guinto, and Marketing Manager Christine Valmonte
DepEd’s LCP includes webinars that are held via Facebook Live. While most of these are on disaster risk management, adjusting to the new normal, and addressing psychological needs, EaseKul is changing the game by offering skills-based trainings that parents and teachers alike can use in their daily lives and to find additional sources of revenue especially during this crisis.
“Maski ganito na ang ating sitwasyon, kami ay nananalig na magagawa parin namin [i-angat ang kalidad ng edukasyon para sa lahat] sa tamang pakikipagugnayan sa aming mga partners katulad ng Amway Philippines,” Usec. Tonisito M.C. Umali Esq., Undersecretary for External Partnerships, stated during the laptop donation turnover.
(Despite the current situation, we have hope that we’ll be able to improve the quality of education for all with the help of partners like Amway Philippines.)
EaseKul will start late October, with over 300 participants to be identified by DepEd and issued a memorandum regarding the training.
