UAE residents donate school supplies in aid of Philippine flood victims

The Lapis, Papel, Aklat Atbp appeal has proven popular with Filipinos as well as people from other nationalities in the UAE.

Daisy Dy-Liacco with her children Abigail, Isaiah and Danielle, sorting out donations for the Lapis, Papel, Aklat Atbp project, organised by the University of the Philippines alumni association in the UAE.Show less

ABU DHABI // Daisy Dy-Liacco and her three children are stocking up on notebooks, dictionaries and crayons to help more than 3,000 pupils at two underfunded schools in the Philippines.

Last month, a project organised by the University of the Philippines former students association in the UAE to provide materials for the pupils was relaunched after a two-year break.

Mrs Dy-Liacco, 46, an art teacher in Abu Dhabi, said her family would also be giving away books, paper, paints and children's clothes. She has even received a donation of five boxes of school uniforms.

By the end of November, at least 15 boxes of supplies will be shipped to Dayap Elementary School and Santo Tomas Elementary School in Calauan, Laguna, south of Manila. The schools have a total of 3,188 pupils.

"These children are poor enough to be helped by others," said Mrs Dy-Liacco, whose own children are aged 18, 12 and six.

"Some of their families had been flood victims in the Philippines in 2009, while others were orphaned and displaced by the heavy floods."

The donations will cover only a fraction of the children's needs, she said.

"But we hope it will make a difference in their lives and help give them some hope for a better future, knowing there are people who care about them," Mrs Dy-Liacco said.

People of other nationalities have also helped out with the appeal for school supplies.

"The response has been overwhelming," said Racquel Dulay, 33, head of the association's special projects committee.

"Since the start of the campaign we've been receiving so many calls and emails we decided to increase the number of boxes from 10 to 15."

Companies are also getting involved. Staff at the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone, with the support of Hilton Hotels in RAK, hope to raise enough money to buy school supplies for at least 1,500 pupils at the two elementary schools, said Cleo Eleazar, the free zone's media officer.

Anyone who would like to donate can contact Ms Dulay on 050 426 7879 or email [e-mail].