Saipan’s Tuloy-Aral has 107 scholars

The Philippine government’s Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office on Saipan reported that of the 206 scholars under the worldwide Tuloy-Aral Program, 107 students are being sponsored by Saipan-based donors comprising 55 individuals and 13 groups.

Welfare officer Leonora Mabagal said the CNMI continues to have the distinction of having the highest number of sponsors worldwide. She said the program is so thankful for the “many individuals and many groups who, despite the economic crises, are so kind and generous to share their financial resources to the less privileged children.”

The Tuloy Aral Project is an OWWA project not only in the CNMI but also in other parts of the world where there are OWWA offices. It aims to help children of former overseas Filipino workers and other needy children in the Philippines fulfill their dream of continuing their education. With the money, the children will be provided school necessities such as notebooks, pens, pads, bags, and books, among others.

Mabagal said she could never contain her excitement when sponsors tell her that they are very willing to continue their sponsorship for the next school year.

“As a matter of fact, some of them are willing to sponsor more despite these hard times,” Mabagal said.

A foster parent or sponsor donates $100 per school year for the elementary or high school education of a selected child.

Mabagal said that she has always been a strong advocate for children’s education.

“For the many children who want to go to school and learn, we try to find ways to help them. The end result of their learning is very rewarding to an individual or group sponsor,” Mabagal said.

The Tuloy-Aral Project is still open to those who want to extend their assistance and help impoverished children in the Philippines. There are no requirements to extend help to the students, said Mabagal.

When an individual has expressed his or her interest in helping out, the CNMI OWWA office calls the Manila Office so that it could allot a recipient from the Philippines. The OWWA office will then notify the CNMI office to confirm the sponsorship

For more information on how to extend assistance, donors can visit the OWWA office located at the ground floor of the Nauru Building in Susupe or call Leonora Mabagal at 235-6992.