BalayniCharie turns 18

BalayniCharie kicked off its 18th year of service to the children in Capiz, Philippines on February 5, 2024 at Tabuc Norte in Panitan, Capiz. The school has 117 students from Kinder to Grade 6. The Principal, Jessiemar Diaz, gathered all the children at the quadrangle so we could give them notebooks, pencils, and pens. Afterwards, we did a Q&A with the kids and those with correct responses received a prize.  

Some of the children receiving their school supplies.

We also delivered the books donated by Nieva Q. Burdick and the United Federation of FilAm Educators (UNIFFIED), New York Chapter.

We had the chance to tour the school's vegetable garden where they grow eggplant, upo (bottle gourd), cabbage and okra, among others. Lettuce is also thriving in a separate area. These vegetables are used for their feeding program. The best thing about this garden is that the kids not only have nutritious meals, they also learn the importance of growing vegetables for food sustenance.

Lettuce Garden

While the school is small and short of classrooms, the Principal with the teachers and PTA work hard to give their students the best education. 

Many thanks to our sponsor, Gary T. Steele of The Steele Family Charitable Trust, for his generous support of BalayniCharie throughout the years. With Gary’s support, we have been able to reach thousands of children in Capiz and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in their studies.

*****

Images by BalayniCharie