Last August 5, the Movement of Gratitude in partnership with Kalibo Councilor Matt Aaron Peren Guzman and through the sponsorship of generous private and corporate benefactors launched the "Munting Gawain: Adopt a Day Care Project" for S.Y. 2024-2025.
The Adopt A Day Care Project originally started in 2017. It is a continuation of the Raven Book Drive (books and school supplies province-wide donation from 2013 to 2016 which was launched side by side with Raven Magazine, Aklan’s Eco-Tourism and Lifestyle Magazine) and an initiative benefitted by the 36 child development centers in the Municipality of Kalibo.
Through the collaborative effort of project proponents and sponsors, aside from giving storybooks, educational materials, school supplies and arts and crafts sets to the children, Adopt A Day Care provided other needs of child development centers such as plastic chairs, tables, electric fans, paints, reams of bond paper as well as candies and toys during Halloween and Christmas events.
Benefits for teachers
It was also through this project that the Sangguniang Bayan of Kalibo through Guzman conceptualized Ordinance No. 2023-0014 or “Ordinance Granting Benefits and Privileges to Child Development Teachers/Workers (CDT/CDW) of the Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan.”
Its purpose is to empower and secure the CDTs/CDWs and to guarantee that they are given benefits in time of death, separation from service due to retirement, illness, and other similar situations.
The ordinance was approved and signed by Mayor Juris Bautista Sucro on January 23, 2023, and took effect immediately.
Among the salient points of the ordinance include the monthly P5,000 LGU-counterpart and at least P1,000 barangay-counterpart compensation, P10,000 burial assistance, P2,000 Christmas bonus, and yearly added benefits for CDTs/CDWs.
On February 20, 2023, the ordinance was declared valid and operative by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan during its committee hearing and is intended to be adopted province-wide because it is a trailblazer—first in Kalibo and also first in Aklan.
Day cares as 'second homes'
Why adopt a day care center?
Guzman believes every child deserves a strong start in life and quality early childhood education and care are foundational to a child's development. Since not all families have access to the resources they need to provide for their children, giving school supplies lessens their financial burden.
Likewise, providing materials needed by day care centers helps improve the classroom setting, ensuring that the children have access to safe, clean, and engaging spaces where they can learn and play.
At first, Guzman did not expect that the influence made by the project would become impactful. During turnovers, he would reiterate the excitement he felt when as students, they were given nutribun, klim milk, and bulgur and they were asked to line up and receive Milo drinks.
The feeling of gratitude was incomparable and he wanted to make other children feel that way too. With a pay-it-forward attitude, he hoped that many would choose to be a blessing and share their blessing.
Empowering the youth
The teachers and parents said the advocacy empowered young children with the tools to learn and grow, setting them toward a brighter and more promising future.
According to the parents, the donations helped support their children’s early childhood development, enhanced their holistic well-being, and contributed to their educational journey.
Simultaneously, the proponents of the project and the benefactors experienced a sense of fulfillment by making a meaningful difference in the lives of others and by encouraging other individuals to volunteer during turnovers.
The domino effect of donating has sparked positive change at various levels—from individual lives to broader societal enhancements.
By initiating a cycle of giving, the Adopt A Day Care Project contributed to making the world a better place and inspiring others to follow, creating a chain reaction of goodness and generosity.
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