MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The Schools Division of Lanao del Sur-I received various school supplies and equipment from the Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW)-Philippines on Monday, November 22.

The provision of school support was under IRW's three-year project dubbed Sustaining Transformative and Resilient Initiatives in Vulnerable Communities (STRIVEC). 

IRW-Philippines Area Programme Manager Sittie-Jamairah Disomimba turned over the school support consisting of office supplies, printer with ink, paper shredder, laminating machine, binding machine, tables and chairs, television set, and portable sound system, among others to Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Sahanee Sumagayan and Assistant SDS Mombao Abdul.

"Taus-puso po naming tinatanggap ang lahat ng mga biyayang mula sa Allah na sa Islamic Relief pinadaan (We sincerely accept all the blessings from Allah through Islamic Relief)," Sumagayan said during the turnover ceremony. 

She thanked IRW for giving attention to their needs stressing that after a long time of struggling due to limited resources, their concerns are finally addressed by IRW.

Assistant SDS Abdul also expressed her gratitude to IRW for its contribution to the upliftment of basic education in the Division of Lanao del Sur I. She cited that before the turnover of office supplies and equipment, IRW has sponsored series of training for teachers and even assisted torils/madaris under the jurisdiction of the Division.

With the aid from IRW, the assistant SDS encouraged her fellow educators to continue living out their mission by working together as a team. "Let us constantly work as a team, and to continue disseminating and multiplying the principle of collaboration, coordination and dedication to ensure that quality and accessible education for our children will be achieved. We are so grateful enough that IRW is with us now," she further said.

Meanwhile, Disomimba said IRW is willing to help the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education particularly the Division of Lanao del Sur I as their priority is focused on education and sustainable livelihood.

She said the school support seeks to assist the Division in delivering quality and credible education to learners especially in this time of the pandemic.

"With the changing needs of time, pwedeng meron pang other priorities na maidentify ang ating mga decision makers and eventually we will add more to this, that is kung kailangang-kailangan," she further said.

Now on its second year, the STRIVEC is currently implemented in the municipality of Ditsaan-Ramain with seven educational institutions as beneficiaries all under the supervision of Lanao del Sur I Schools Division. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)