SMC Educational Fund invests on Samar Youth

By EMY BONIFACIO, Samar News.com
August 27, 2011

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  The SMC Educational Fund, a Scholarship and Financial Aid program, will be investing on Samar youths by providing a secured future through education. The organization hopes to provide paths for young Filipino adults to better themselves by assisting them with resources in education and work experience.

SMC gives credit to Mr. Simplicio Mendez Cajipe, a native of Sta. Rita, who made it well and good while working abroad. Mr. Cajipe was a source of inspiration to people whom he provided food, shelter and all the necessary tools at their younger ages until they became adults.

Ms. Emy Cajipe-Matthews, the Foundation’s CEO, attested to this and disclosed that she was just six years old when her father died and became an orphan herself. Still, Matthews has family ties in the Philippines and she would willingly work towards her cause in helping the young adults of Samar.  Samar is known to be one of the poorest provinces.

SMC, under Ms. Matthew’s initiatives, has become successful in making linkages and coordination with other partner institutions. It has now become a foreign assisted program.

The organization has long been extending yearly outreach programs in the Philippines that benefits the children. She has designed programs that would encourage creative and critical thinking skill in youth using Samar’s natural resources.

“Young adults need to understand the idea of community service, of learning the past, the present and the future of their province”, says Ms. Matthews.

Just recently, it has decided to shift on extending scholarships and financial aid to truly deserving and less fortunate young Filipino students.

“We make sure that children in each category qualify for our program (a) Poverty Assistance (b) Academic Scholar for high school graduate. We will help secure the child meet their basic needs, shoes, backpacks, school supplies, clothing items and a monthly allowance.

We are willing to extend help to those students at any Santa Rita Public High School District”, Ms. Matthews reveals her plans.

Inasmuch as the SMC is based in North Dakota, it has coordinated with the Samarnews.com through Engr. Ray Gaspay and Ms. Emy C. Bonifacio who takes charge in screening qualified beneficiaries. Presently, two (2) deserving SMC beneficiaries from Sta. Rita High School will be receiving cash assistance for this school year.

Cristina I. Lampanizo, 16 years of age, is a resident of Brgy. Hinangutdan, Sta. Rita, Samar and is in her 3rd year of secondary education. She is the 3rd child of seven children whose family’s main survival is sourced from charcoal making with a meager income of 50-100 pesos a day. She hikes to and from the school for more than two hours during school days because it would need thirty pesos a day for transportation fare using a “habal-habal”. At times, she goes to school without eating breakfast. Most often she fails to go to school because of lack of food and fare.

Likewise, Albert O. Baldiza, 19 years of age, was an orphan since he was in grade 1 and lives with a foster family. He disclosed that at times he goes to school with an empty stomach but he is decided to pursue his education. School records will show that Baldiza is a consistent honor student and is expected to become the valedictorian this school year at Sta. Rita High School where he is already in his fourth year.

An amount of P2,500 will be granted to Cristina Lampanizo while P1,000 will be given to Albert Baldiza. These monthly allowances from the SMC Educational Fund will cover the months of July 2010 to March 2011.

Furthermore, the SMC has identified two (2) graduating high school students who will be awarded cash incentives amounting to P30,000 per beneficiary, on the day of their graduation to financially help them pursue their college education. The identified beneficiaries were Wilfredo Ramirez Jr. of Tominamos High School and Emmanuel John Caudilla of Sta. Rita High School. Matthews disclosed that online applications to partners abroad were also facilitated.

The SMC is also finalizing proposals for student exchange programs. Hopefully, for this year, two lucky individuals from Sta. Rita will become the first beneficiaries in this program. The processing of their travel documents are now being taken cared of by the SMC.

The organization has been gaining support from Ms. Mathhew’s acquaintances and from those who believe in her cause. In fact, MMA Super Star Brandon de Vera has donated his autographed fight trunk to SMC Educational Fund for auction. More supporters and volunteers have signified their desire to extend charitable help to Samar youths.