Sony Ericsson helps get children off the streets

At least 250,000 street children can be found in major cities of the Philippines, and an estimated 50,000 of them even spend their nights on the streets. While local government units look for ways to keep children off the streets, Sony Ericsson has donated P1 million to make sure most of these children, especially those in Metro Manila, are kept off the streets and engaged in worthy endeavors like the search for knowledge.
“Sony Ericsson and sister company Ericsson Telecommunications, Inc. Philippines are donating P1 million for a mobile education van which will help educate these street children,” Sony Ericsson marketing manager Patrick Larraga said during a press briefing in Davao City last week.
Larraga said the campaign will support the Mobile Education and Child Protection Program for Children of the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) for children on the streets of Manila. The fund will be used to purchase a van which will be equipped with a laptop and mobile broadband access and other equipment to help facilitate sessions on the streets led by trained street educators allowing the children better access to education, skills training and social services.
The UN Program for Children is an innovative approach that involves the local government and non-government organizations (Lingap Pangkabataan, Inc.) working together to give these children a second chance. Lingap will employ trained street educators and social workers who will provide counselling, reintegration and mainstreaming of street children among others.
Depending on the evaluation, the children will be referred to the Alternative Learning System (ALS), to mainstream formal schools or to vocational skills training programs.
Larraga said that by getting children off the streets and giving parents or caregivers more support “we help prevent violence and abuse.” The public can also contribute to the project through the donation bins which will be placed in all participating SM Supermalls nationwide.
The campaign will have its own anthem — “Let’s Be Happy Mga Kids” — which was composed by Itchyworms with vocals from La Diva, Ely Buendia, Dino Concepcion of Brownman, rapper Gloc 9, Kan Cipriano of Callalily and other artists.  [Lovely A. Carillo]