Help to Upgrade a Philippine Mountain Village School

Lepanto Elementary School is one of the mountain village schools in Alegria, Cebu, Philippines. It is situated 2,200 feet above sea level and is 12 kms away from the town proper. Around 300+ pupils aged between 4 and 11 years old attend the school daily.

The population of Lepanto is approx. 1,000- people and the community comprises almost entirely of subsistance or tenant farming. 

The last investment in school was more than 10 years ago (in 2002) and it is now in urgent need of a major upgrade, which cannot be currently answered by the government and/or the PTA.

1. The school consists of 4 buildings which need major repairs. The roof is made of zinc sheatings, and leaks during heavy rainfall, which is quite often. The wooden structure and flooring is rotten due to wet and dry rot as well as significant termite damage. Last year during the mayoral voting day the main steps collapsed causing injuries to a number of people that needed hospitalisation.

2.  The school has no water supply on premises and only 1 building has an electrical supply.

3. The school needs to be enclosed with a concrete fence. As of this time only the front side of the school has the fence.

The nearby tourist venture - Sun Xi Mountain Retreat has an ongoing pledge that 10% of guest revenues will be donated to the school and to date they have supplied fresh water toilets as well as a concrete play/parade ground for the children. However the needs of the school are now requiring much more urgent attention for the safety and security of the children. If the school cannot be made safe and secure, it may be forced to close down and the children would have no alternative but to stay at home and they would most likely end up working the farms with their parents.

Your donations, however small, will of course be greatly appreciated.

Thank-you very much.