“Ellie”, a 17 year-old Bantay Edukasyon scholar, experienced financial struggles just to continue his studies before he became a scholar. He used to go to school with an empty stomach. Worse, his stomach remained empty at home. Needless to say, Ellie’s family is impoverished.

Like Ellie, “Rain” had the same fate. The eldest among four siblings, Rain struggled to study, too. His father’s income as a security guard is not enough to send him to school.

ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director Susan Afan(First from left) during the MOA Signing with Lao Foundation.

“Ellie” and “Rain” are among the underprivileged yet lucky students who were granted scholarship through Bantay Edukasyon project of Bantay Bata 163, a program of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. that is responsible for ensuring proper care and welfare of the Filipino children. Through Bantay Bata 163’s collaborative effort with Lao Foundation- an institution that provides educational assistance, Ellie and Rain were given an opportunity to make their dreams come true.

Recently, Bantay Bata 163 and Lao Foundation sealed a memorandum of agreement to continuously give education assistance to poor yet deserving children.

Ellie and Rain are first batch of scholars of Bantay Bata 163 – Lao Foundation collaboration in 2016. It started with six scholars, which eventually increased to 15 in 2018.

“We are so blessed to be a part of your lives, and to be a part of your journey. Through everything, remember that we will always be here to support you and cheer for you!”- Said Erika Lao, Head of Operations, Lao Foundation.