The ongoing pandemic has caused one of the biggest disruptions in Philippine education, affecting millions of students all around the country. Because the vulnerabilities of education have been revealed by this virus, a call to action has emerged to support students who may not have the means to continue their learning at home. Thankfully, the Joy Schools Program of Mondelez Philippines has been innovating to continuously support its adopted schools even during the suspension of face-to-face classes.
The Joy Schools is the flagship community program of Mondelez Philippines, which has been running for the past 9 years. It has touched the lives of tens of thousands of students, through the adoption of 16 public elementary schools for various interventions on nutrition.
As part of the Joy Schools Program’s efforts to support its 3 currently adopted schools – Don Galo Elementary School and 4th Estate Elementary School in Parañaque, and Balara Elementary School in Quezon City– the Company, together with partner Philippine Business for Social Progress, will be giving away learning kits to 300 students. Each kit contains materials which can help students to keep up with their class activities, even remotely. These basic school materials are simple yet urgently needed by public school students as they embark on their home learning journey. These 300 adopted students are also part of a 9-month feeding program, where families will receive vegetable packs good for one week’s worth of meals. To help ensure students get the right nutrition to continue their learning.
More importantly, as the country is temporarily shifting to online learning, the majority of the adopted students do not have access online. The Company will be extending their commitment of strengthening education as a common good through the donation of laptops to the aforementioned schools.
COVID-19 most definitely creates real challenges. The pandemic invites engagement and action from all sectors of society, including government, corporate organizations, and citizens of this country. This virus has radically reshaped our world, mostly in a negative manner, but efforts like these make resiliency even more possible. Providing access to digital tools and educational materials will hopefully pave the way back to a better normal.
About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2019 net revenues of approximately $26 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.
About Mondelez Philippines
Mondelez Philippines Inc. has been providing consumers with delicious snack products for the past 57 years - since 1963. Its product portfolio includes Tang powdered beverages, Eden cheese, mayonnaise and sandwich spread, Cheez Whiz spread, Oreo cookies, Tiger energy biscuits, belVita breakfast biscuits, as well as Toblerone and Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates. The company employs about 450 people in the Philippines, with a manufacturing facility in Parañaque City. Visit https://ph.mondelezinternational.com/home.