RSU and the Rotary Club of Manila Binondo Prime strengthened their support for early childhood development as RSU President Merian P. Catajay-Mani, Impact Creating President Vilma Morato-Lim, and seven fellow Rotarians joined Romblon State University’s Project PAGIBIG and launched “An HOUR with the Kids,” an engagement activity for children and parents under the University’s Family Empowerment Center.
An HOUR with the Kids stands for “Holistic Opportunity for Understanding and Reading,” a program designed to support the overall well-being and development of children through age-appropriate and differentiated activities.
The program provides opportunities for children to learn, read, play, interact, and develop social and communication skills in a supportive learning environment.
A total of 63 participants took part in the activity, including 22 parents, 20 children, 13 student volunteers, and eight members of the Rotary Club of Manila Binondo Prime.
Beyond providing support as one of the activity’s sponsors, President Morato-Lim and her fellow Rotarians spent time interacting and playing with the children. They also led storytelling sessions, creating opportunities for the young participants to engage with stories, practice listening, and experience reading as an enjoyable shared activity.
The Rotary Club of Manila Binondo Prime also distributed school bags, pillows, coloring books, stickers, storybooks, and snacks to the children.
Officer Siolan Orencio Calub of the Philippine Navy previously donated blankets for the children to use during nap time at the Family Empowerment Center. The blankets were also distributed during the program.
In appreciation of the Rotarians’ visit and gifts, the children prepared handmade thank-you cards for the club members. The cards served as personal expressions of gratitude from the young beneficiaries and formed part of the children’s interaction with their guests.
During the activity, Morato-Lim also pledged to personally provide free hot meals for the children every week for six months. The commitment forms part of her advocacy for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and extends the partnership beyond the one-day activity toward sustained support for the children.
Student volunteers of the College of Education under the BEEd and BSNEd programs also assisted PAGIBIG FEC Main Teacher Miss Azel Marie Fortaleza in taking care of the learners during the storytelling and play sessions.
RSU President Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani expressed her gratitude to Morato-Lim, the Rotary Club of Manila Binondo Prime, Calub, the student volunteers, parents, and everyone who contributed to the activity.
President Mani emphasized the value of partnerships in sustaining programs centered on children and families. She recognized the Rotarians for giving more than material assistance by spending meaningful time with the children through reading, storytelling, play, and personal interaction.
“Every hour we devote to a child’s learning, care, and development contributes to the future we want to build for our communities. We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Manila Binondo Prime and our partners for sharing their time and resources with our children and families,” President Mani said.
Through An HOUR with the Kids, Romblon State University continues to bring together the University, families, students, volunteers, and community partners in creating meaningful learning experiences for young children. The initiative reflects RSU’s commitment to extending education beyond the classroom and building partnerships focused on the well-being, development, and future of every child.
The program provides opportunities for children to learn, read, play, interact, and develop social and communication skills in a supportive learning environment.
A total of 63 participants took part in the activity, including 22 parents, 20 children, 13 student volunteers, and eight members of the Rotary Club of Manila Binondo Prime.
Beyond providing support as one of the activity’s sponsors, President Morato-Lim and her fellow Rotarians spent time interacting and playing with the children. They also led storytelling sessions, creating opportunities for the young participants to engage with stories, practice listening, and experience reading as an enjoyable shared activity.
The Rotary Club of Manila Binondo Prime also distributed school bags, pillows, coloring books, stickers, storybooks, and snacks to the children.
Officer Siolan Orencio Calub of the Philippine Navy previously donated blankets for the children to use during nap time at the Family Empowerment Center. The blankets were also distributed during the program.
In appreciation of the Rotarians’ visit and gifts, the children prepared handmade thank-you cards for the club members. The cards served as personal expressions of gratitude from the young beneficiaries and formed part of the children’s interaction with their guests.
During the activity, Morato-Lim also pledged to personally provide free hot meals for the children every week for six months. The commitment forms part of her advocacy for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and extends the partnership beyond the one-day activity toward sustained support for the children.
Student volunteers of the College of Education under the BEEd and BSNEd programs also assisted PAGIBIG FEC Main Teacher Miss Azel Marie Fortaleza in taking care of the learners during the storytelling and play sessions.
RSU President Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani expressed her gratitude to Morato-Lim, the Rotary Club of Manila Binondo Prime, Calub, the student volunteers, parents, and everyone who contributed to the activity.
President Mani emphasized the value of partnerships in sustaining programs centered on children and families. She recognized the Rotarians for giving more than material assistance by spending meaningful time with the children through reading, storytelling, play, and personal interaction.
“Every hour we devote to a child’s learning, care, and development contributes to the future we want to build for our communities. We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Manila Binondo Prime and our partners for sharing their time and resources with our children and families,” President Mani said.
Through An HOUR with the Kids, Romblon State University continues to bring together the University, families, students, volunteers, and community partners in creating meaningful learning experiences for young children. The initiative reflects RSU’s commitment to extending education beyond the classroom and building partnerships focused on the well-being, development, and future of every child.
