“Thank you po kasi nakakapag-aral ako dahil sa kanila. Sana po marami pa silang matulungan.”

This is how Sajie Dela Cruz, a 10-year old Grade 4 student, expressed her gratitude towards Singapore Airlines (SIA) on helping her, together with her fellow scholars of Bantay Bata 163-  Bantay Edukasyon during its recent Opening Assembly at the La Mesa Ecopark.

For almost 17 years, SIA has been sharing the same vision with Bantay Bata 163 on believing that every child has the right to education regardless of their social origin, age, gender, and economic status. They believe education is still one of the building blocks of the society.

“Education is a gift. A gift that unfortunately not everyone has access to. Therefore, Singapore Airlines wants to share that gift which will enable a child to prosper, a family to flourish, a nation to progress, and [will] make the world a much better place”, said Yong Tat Lee, General Manager of Singapore Airlines.

To Sajie, whose school supplies and other academic resources turned into ashes because of the fire that affected their community last August 2018, this scholarship program is really a huge help. Through Bantay Edukasyon and its partners like SIA, that constantly assist them by giving allowances for their uniform, daily meal, school supplies and transportation, she gets to continue her studies without any traces of the tragedy that she had experienced. Now, Sajie enjoys performing and her favorite subject in school is MAPEH (Music, Arts, PE and Health) that is why she dreams of becoming a music teacher someday.

During the assembly, the scholars also showcased their talents in singing and dancing. Still part of the event, the kids, together with SIA’s staff, conducted a tree-planting activity where they potted almost a hundred Kupang seedlings.

Jigs Reodica, Marketing and PR Officer of Singapore Airlines, said that education is like a seedling that we plant for the future. Same as trees that we plant to secure us in the next time being. They both need to be given full attention as they play an important role in developing the society.

Everyone has the right to education. Unfortunately, there are still people who do not have access to this fundamental human right. This advocacy of SIA plays a significant role in molding one’s future and transforming one’s life.

To help more kids go to school, call the 1-6-3- Hotline.