Brigada Eskwela, or School Brigade as translated from Filipino, is a nationwide voluntary event that aims to prepare for the opening of classes. With support from the Department of Education in the governmental scope, a large number of schools have joined in the call for volunteers ranging from students to teachers to parents to even members of the army. The Earth SAVERS (Student Alliance and Volunteerism for Environmental Rehabilitation and Sustainability) for UNESCO formerly known as the Global Youth for Peace for UNESCO have brought a small group to help out as well in the Alabang Elementary School, the biggest public school in the district catering to more than 6000 school children. Though the support of conducting the following activities listed below have been made, awareness campaigning on Tunza Eco-Generation and its works have also been an integral aspect to the service trip.

Sample activities:

• Repairing of desks, chairs and furniture

• Installing of LED lights and solar lamp posts

• Cleaning up waste of school surroundings

• Setting up of greenhouse through hydroponics

• Replanting seeds in the vegetable garden

• Donation of food, water, disaster relief and school supplies

Though full in-depth implementation of the aforementioned have been merely the latter half, our action plans have carried even further beyond the few days in which the Brigada Eskwela has been conducted. For instance, a long-term project in regards to the maintenance of a greenhouse at the public school is to take place. After the initial project proposal form is officially passed, plans for regular meetings sporadically to double check on how specific types of flora are doing, research roles on which biodiversity can best contribute to a given need, and integration of curriculum are to take place. More details are to come once implementation is set.  

Tunza school supplies, that of which include rulers, notepads, pens, as well as information booklets have been handed out to over 100 primary school children. Education opens many doors to opportunity and hopefully this proved the case for them.

Photographic documentation is available here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B3px0qsYCTYEUEtZMUo4M3hjUFU?usp=sharing

*Note banner meant to show 18th rather than 16th terms

Holistic approach on the event report available here: http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/94749-what-we-can-learn-brigada-eskwela

Other actions by organizations at Alabang Elementary School:

https://www.facebook.com/ALABANG-ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL-194934092369/