Caritas PH sets up P65.5M scholarship fund for ‘academically challenged’ students

By CBCP News

Caritas Philippines has set up a scholarship fund for “academically challenged” junior high school students.

The national Caritas allocated P65.5 million educational assistance as part of its Alay Kapwa Legacy Stewardship Program (AKLSP).

Its director, Bishop Jose Collin Bagaforo, said they aim to provide at least 525 poor children “with equal access to primary and secondary education and skills and opportunities.”

“We need to invest in the education of our youth if we want more gold medals, better government and next-generation leaders,” Bagaforo said.

Caritas’ executive secretary Fr. Antonio Labiao said the educational assistance covers online learning and other school fees, tutorial services and training.

The program, he added, is integrated with Caritas’ family development program which also includes food security, savings mobilization, enterprise development, citizenship building, and family feeding.

“We are hoping that with these interventions, we will be able to realize our mandate to instill mercy, justice and sustainable development as pillars of our faith and action,” Labiao said.

Launched in 2021, AKLSP is Caritas Philippines’ contribution to the initiatives in celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the country.