Continuing to provide communities with access to services and infrastructure, Habitat for Humanity Philippines, in partnership with Cargill and C-Joy, the company’s joint venture with Jollibee Foods Corporation, breaks ground for a two-story digital classroom and library in Santa Teresita Elementary School, Santo Tomas, Batangas province.
Held last June 19, 2023, the groundbreaking ceremony participated by Mardi Mapa-Suplido of Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Jennifer Sabianan of Cargill, Mija Darlene of C-Joy, teacher-in-charge Eric De Luna of Santa Teresita, Dr. Olive Deocariza of Department of Education Batangas, Barangay Captain Marlon Castillo of Santa Teresita, and Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurigue-Perez of Santo Tomas City marked the start of a multi-stakeholder collaboration toward community development and better education.
“This tripartite partnership among Cargill, its C-Joy Business, and Santa Teresita Elementary School, through the initiative of the Barangay, and Habitat Philippines is part of Habitat’s Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable, and Empowered (RISE) Communities Program. This integrated, holistic, and community-led approach focuses on building houses and essential community infrastructures. The school infrastructure demonstrates the commitment of all partners to quality education through digital inclusion,” said Mardi Mapa-Suplido, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat Philippines.
The digital classroom and library funded by Cargill is a one-of-a-kind facility that responds to the need of Santa Teresita Elementary School. This facility will provide access to e-learning materials that would encourage and enable better educational output for the students at school.
The project supports the United Nations’ sustainable development goal 4 (SDG 4) of quality education, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. With construction projected to be completed in 2024, the facility incorporates energy and water-saving features and accessibility to people with disabilities.
“C-Joy, as part of One Cargill, aspires to be a steward of culture and a valued member of the communities we live in. Over the past 3 years, COVID-19 has brought numerous changes and challenges to the way students learn. Through this project, we aim to enhance learning, development, and foster inclusion for the students at Santa Teresita Elementary School as they grow to become valuable members of the community amidst a fast-changing and technology-driven world. As we continue to overcome these challenges, we remain very committed to reflect Cargill’s value to connect and bring positive impact to the communities we share,” said Mija Darlene Cachapero, Commercial Director for C-Joy.
Santa Teresita Elementary School is a community public school with over 180 enrolled students, six teachers, one school head, and two non-teaching personnel. It offers free elementary education from Grades 1 to 6 and kindergarten.
At its core, Cargill nourishes the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Deeply rooted in its purpose is the food and agriculture company’s commitment to be a corporate citizen that contributes to the communities where it works. As Cargill gears up for its 75th anniversary in the Philippines, it will continue to accelerate efforts and deliver progress on key areas with corporate responsibility partners to ensure that Filipinos thrive.
