Celebrating our 20th Year

 

Tinigban Integrated School, Panitan

How we started: 

In 2006, I began giving school supplies to 20 of the most disadvantaged children in Roxas City. When we left the classroom, several children asked me, "How about us? When will you give us?" The following year I gave school supplies to the entire first and second grades. On the third year, I was able to give to the entire school. And now, BalayniCharie is on its 20th year, thanks to the generous people who supported our work. We couldn't have done it without their help. 

We kicked off our 20th year at Tinigban Integrated School where we gave school supplies to 133 students. This event was sponsored by Connie Collo. Many thanks to Connie for her staunch support of BalayniCharie. The backpacks which we gave to some deserving children were donated by Diane Acas who has been one of our steadfast supporters over the years. 

Images by TravelswithCharie

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.

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Images by BalayniCharie 

 

BalayniCharie Report for June 2019 - Sept. 2019

Canuto Fuentes Elementary School

The start of the 2019-2020 school year in the Philippines was a frenzy of preparations for BalayniCharie. We reached out to 15 schools and communities in Capiz beginning in June. BalayniCharie is celebrating its 14th year of giving school supplies to elementary school students in Capiz, thanks to our generous sponsors. We are excited to celebrate our 15th year of service to the Capiz community in 2020. 

Panfilo Mendoza Elementary School

These were the schools we visited:

1. Balaring Elementary School - Ivisan - June 4, 2019
2. Sinandigan Elem School - Sigma - June 7, 2019
3. Cabugao Elem School - Panitan - June 10, 2019
4. Agbatuan Elem School - Dumarao - June 13, 2019
5. Alipaciawan Elem School - Dumarao - June 13, 2019
6. Madulano Elem School - President Roxas - June 20, 2019
7. Valentin Punsalan Elem School - Pilar - July 1, 2019
8. Canuto Fuentes Elem School - Sibaguan - July 12, 2019
9. Panfilo Mendoza Elem School - Ivisan - August 6, 2019
10. Culasi Day Care Center - August 7, 2019
11. Carida Elem School - Tapaz - August 15, 2019

Culasi Day Care Center

List of communities we visited:

Story telling at Gawad Kalinga with Christian George Francisco Acevedo

1. Gawad Kalinga (GK) - Dinginan - June 23, 2019
2. Ati and Panay Bukidnon Communities - Dumarao - July 6,  2019
3. Juvenile Crisis Center - Roxas City - Sept. 5, 2019

Books from Amy and Nathan of California 
(photo courtesy of Abner Abs)

Book Donation:

1. Duluan Elementary School - Maayon - June 22, 2019

Shoes from Smiley and Kai Rice and Shoes Program

Many thanks to all our sponsors who made these school supplies distribution possible: Gary and Nancy Steele, Dr. Lilia Chung, Diane and Mon Acas, Smiley and Kai Rice and Shoes Program, Amy and Nathan for the book donation, and all our event coordinators especially Clara Salame, TinTin Alvarez, Dolly Buday, Quitty Gadian, Christian George Francisco Acevedo, Ryan de la Luna and all the principals and teachers for the smooth operation of these distributions. 

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Images by  BalayniCharie Foundation 

2018-2019 School Year Report

As the school year 2018-19 draws to a close, BalayniCharie Foundation is happy to conclude another successful season of giving school supplies to elementary school students in Capiz. Twelve schools and a day care center were the beneficiaries of the 2018-2019 school year. Here is the list of schools we visited:
1.  San Esteban Elementary School In Pilar, Capiz
2.  Dolores Elementary School in Dumalag
3.  San Jose Elementary School in Dumalag
4.  Maninang Elementary School in Sapian
5.  Culasi Elementary School in Sapian
6.  Jesus G. Albaña School in Panitan
7.  Agoho Elementary School in Pan-ay
8.  Tapulang Elementary School in Maayon
9.  Duluan Integrated School in Maayon
10. Lacaron Elementary School in Dao
11. Ameligan Elementary School in Pontevedra
12. Nipa Day Care Culasi, Roxas City

Maninang Elem School

We also had the opportunity to give school supplies to some thirty students in Mararison, Antique. That happened when we were enjoying the white sand beach of this beautiful island and the hike up to Mararison Elementary School.

San Jose Elem School

About 1,860 children received school supplies during the 2018-2019 school year from BalayniCharie. We are grateful to all the donors and friends who continue to support BalayniCharie most especially to Gary and Nancy Steele, Diane and Mon Acas, Rudynelia Valencia, Monike Alberjeun, Nieva Burdick, Consuelo Almonte, Nathan, Amy and Michael, Smiley and Kai Rice and Shoes Program, Leda Albar, Rick Albar and Jasmin Declaro. You keep us going. We look forward to 2019-2020 school year and our 14th year of providing school supplies to the children in Capiz.

Thank you Smiley and Kai Rice and Shoes Program

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Images by BalayniCharie