By Mike Crismundo
PNA
Five depressed elementary schools in Agusan del Sur received educational aid from the Japanese children.
Through the Philippine National Red Cross, Agusan del Sur Chapter, the school materials were distributed as an act of friendship extended by the Japanese children to poor but determined children in Agusan del Sur.
Lyn Garcia, National Red Cross Youth governor, said the 600 bags contain notebooks, drawing books, crayons, pencils and other school supplies needed by elementary school children.
"These school supplies that you received came from the children of Japan through the Japanese Red Cross. I want you to know that children like you in Japan spare 1 Japanese Yen every day out of their allowances in order to buy these school materials for you as gesture of genuine friendship that they want to extend to Filipino children thru the International Friendship Project of the Red Cross", said Garcia.
Coalition Elementary School principal Babylinda Doysabas of Barangay Coalition, San Luis, advised the pupils to take extra care of the educational aid they received because it is the only way they can show their gratitude to the generosity of their fellow children from Japan.
In response, with tears on her eyes, the president of the Pupils’ Supreme Council of Coalition Elementary School said, they did not expect they will receive "gifts" like what they received from children outside the country.
She also promised they will repay the gesture of friendship by taking good care of the materials in order that the love behind the "gifts" will linger forever and friendship will flourish.
Rev. Solomon Bilaoen, chairperson of PNRC Agusan del Sur Chapter Board of Directors, said the "gift" giving is just the start of a deeper development of friendship between the Filipino and Japanese children.
"Someday, when our children and the Japanese children and the children around the world would share ideas and experiences through writing and other means of communication, then true friendship will grow and that will mean better cooperation and understanding which will lead to international peace that is so elusive", said Rev. Bilaoen.
Rev. Bilaoen and Christyll Basan, PNRC provincial Administrator, led the team composed of PNRC Board of Directors and Red Cross Youth volunteers in the distribution of the educational materials to New Visayas Elementary School in San Francisco, San Vicente Elementary School in Veruela, Noveli Elementary School in Rosario, Coalition Elementary School in San Luis and Mabuhay Elementary School in Prosperidad who were chosen to be the recipients of the Red Corss Youth International Friendship Project since July 13, this year.
Agusan del Sur Ma. Valentina Plaza expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Japanese children through the effort of the PNRC Agusan del Sur Chapter.(PNA)
LDV/MUC/ebp
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