Reconnecting students and dreams through an online initiative

It seems like COVID-19 has put many things on pause, including dreams. As the virus continues to spread and evolve, so are the changes and challenges that come with it. However, through initiatives like Reconnect PH, dreams can hopefully be continued and championed.

A system update

To ensure the continuity of School Year 2020-2021 amid the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that learning will be done in the safety of homes. The learning setup was recalibrated into a distance learning mode where students and parents were given a choice of online learning, modular learning, television/radio learning, or a blend of these.

Many were unhappy when DepEd chose to push through, despite alternatives that they laid out. A major social media backlash was subjected to the Department, highlighted by the calls for ‘academic freeze’ and #NoStudentLeftBehind.

It should have been expected given that only a select few have tools to adapt to such a huge update to the education system. The imposition of an Enhanced Community Quarantine from March 2020 to May 2020 saw a 78.1% unemployment rate from households with a member earning below PHP 9.5 thousand.

Regardless of protests and several postponements, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones officially made October 5, 2020, the National School Opening Day for S.Y. 2020-2021.

Reaching those that were disconnected

While different forms of assistance were given out by the local and national governments, the pandemic had greater effects on Filipino households that cash aides are mostly used on daily essentials such as food. With this in mind, private individuals and organizations were quick to move and use their resources for those who were in need. One of them was Reconnect PH, a project that aims to bridge the worsening gap between education and Filipino students. Reconnect PH opened donation drives and launched different fundraising activities to provide distance learning kits (DLKs) composed of a tablet, pocket Wi-Fi, and a monthly 500-peso load to 10 beneficiaries.

When asked about the inspiration behind the project, Sharra Elep, the initiator of Reconnect PH, said that the people who helped her when she was struggling financially as a student were what fueled her to give back and help others as well.

“I know what it feels like to be a student who lacks resources and I want them to know that someone is always ready to help and, hopefully, this would fuel them as well to help others,” Sharra said in an interview.

With this, she pitched the idea to her organization back in college, The Rhetoricians, who helped her in bringing the idea to life as several members volunteered to work on different committees. Just three days after the pitch, Reconnect PH was launched on social media and widened its core team by accepting volunteers from different schools.

Despite being mounted on an online platform, Reconnect PH considered students who might not be reached by the online promotion of the project. Referrals were welcomed, and text messages and phone calls were utilized to communicate with potential beneficiaries who are most lacking in terms of resources.

From the initial target amount of Php 63,750 for 10 beneficiaries, the project was able to raise more than double the goal and extended assistance to 13 students. A part of the amount raised was also donated for typhoon Ulysses victims back in November 2020. The team was happy with the downpour of support from individuals, organizations, businesses, and personalities.

Kirsten, one of the volunteers, shared, “It’s heartwarming to know that in times of need, there are a lot of people willing to step up and be of help to others.”

At times when everyone’s patience and determination were tested by various challenges, the goal of helping students continue their journey towards their dreams was what made Reconnect PH a success. In an interview with the past beneficiaries, it was mentioned that without Reconnect PH, they would have been forced to not enroll for S.Y. 2020-2021. It was a situation that should never happen, especially to those whose only hope in improving their situation depends on their education.

Reloaded for S.Y. 2021-2022

Now on its second run, Reconnect PH was relaunched to continue giving out support for students challenged by the distance learning setup. Robert, one of the beneficiaries of Reconnect PH last year, said that the project was a huge help to him as he did not have to think about how he can keep up with his online classes because he had a guaranteed monthly load. He also shared that he was able to participate in extracurricular activities through the assistance that he received from Reconnect PH.

With this in mind, the core team was inspired to continue the project and provide monthly 500-peso load assistance to 15 beneficiaries. The team also decided to partner with student artists via Reconnect through Art which hits two goals at once: help partner artists earn through art commissions and raise funds for the 15 beneficiaries.

Charlize, a two-time volunteer of Reconnect PH said that since she knows how it feels to face online learning difficulties, she is willing to help out in a project dedicated to this concern especially for people who have it worse than her. The same reason has been shared by Kristhina who was one of those who swiftly answered the call for new volunteers of Reconnect PH this year.

As the opening of classes for the new school year approaches, the team works double to raise enough funds to deliver load assistance. They are also hoping that more people offer support to the cause.

COVID-19 has truly been a virus to the system that affected how things operate, including education. However, with initiatives like Reconnect PH, aspirants are given hope to continue their way towards their dreams without lags and interruptions. Reconnect PH stands with every student and will be in existence as long as the gap between access to education and students has not been closed.

When asked about how she envisions Reconnect PH, Sharra said that the general goal is that “projects like this wouldn’t be a need for a society whose rights to live a decent life are being respected, and their basic needs are provided.” But since this is not the case, she added that “it can be a project that will focus on a different but also a relevant issue, something that isn’t necessarily huge but is important.”

To know more about the project, you may check out their Facebook page or email them at reconnectt.ph@gmail.com.

Read also

• Making #BiggerDreams possible in the Now Normal
• In the face of adversity, all you need is a Yellow Boat of Hope
• Championing Children’s Education