Background

St Madeleine Sophie Foundation (SMSF) is an educational center situated in the municipality of Rodriguez (commonly known as Montalban) in the province of Rizal. It is the most populous municipality of the Philippines and 5,62% (2018) of its population leaves under the poverty line. 

The poor academic performance of Filipino children and youth is evidence of an educational crisis in the country. This is particularly obvious for public school education, and even more so in remote rural areas and pockets of poverty in urban areas where there are problems of lack of appropriate educational materials and supplies, clustering grade levels, absenteeism, and drop-outs. 

Activities

The project addresses the “learning poverty” of around 80 children aged 7-12, from poor families, who are assessed non-readers or struggling readers. It organises, at the Saint Madeleine Sophie Foundation, after-school reading sessions in small groups to stimulate the recognition of syllabus and understanding of read sentences. Participants with intermediate reading are also proposed English online lessons with twin students in Japan and USC schools.

In addition to academic support, the project supplies the participants with a healthy meal when coming to their sessions.

Results

Children demonstrate enhanced confidence in their reading abilities, and with delight stated “I can read”. The most significant improvements tend to be observed among lower-level readers. Parents’ are supportive of the program as they observed improvements in their children and appreciate the meal supply.

However, there is a need for greater parental involvement to dynamize their skills and provide better support to their children at home

People being served

People being served : Children and Young People

Age group : Children 0-17

Number of participants : 51-100

Schedule

Project status : Ongoing

Collaborations

  • Collaboration type : Financial

    Collaboration with : Mother House Solidarity Fund

    • 2022 MHSF

  • Collaboration type : In kind/voluntary

    Collaboration with : Society-sponsored organisations

    • St Madeleine Sophie Foundation

Images

Overview

Society presence : Philippines

Focus of the project : People

JPIC Imperative : Transforming and Being Transformed

UN Sustainable Development Goals : 10 Reduced Inequalities, 3 Good Health and Well being, 4 Quality Education