CNMI hits a record of 68 foster parents for Tuloy-Aral Project

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration hit a record of 68 CNMI individuals and groups who have come forward for this year’s edition of the OWWA Tuloy-Aral Project—the second time that Filipinos in the CNMI ranked No. 1 worldwide in their support of the project.

Last school year, the Tuloy Aral Project in the CNMI also ranked No. 1 among OWWA offices in the world after it managed to recruit 31 foster parents.

The Tuloy Aral Project is an OWWA project not only in the CNMI but also in other parts of the world where there are OWWA offices. It aims to help children of former overseas Filipino workers and other needy children in the Philippines fulfill their dreams of continuing their education. With the money. the children will be provided school necessities such as notebooks, pens, pads, bags, and books, among others.

OWWA welfare officer Mary Dait said that the Tan Holdings Employees Volunteers Group comprised the most number of donors for this school year, with 31 members sponsoring less fortunate children in their elementary education. Sixteen other Tan Holdings employees who are not members of the volunteers group also supported the project by adopting foster children by themselves.

Dait said that, through the $100 sponsorship, the education of the beneficiaries would be smoother and more rewarding. This year, her office is looking at increasing the number of student recipients to 100.

“We’d like to thank the sponsors for their generosity,” said Dait.

The deadline for registration as foster parents ended yesterday, but Dait said her office is still accepting donors who want to sponsor a child in the Philippines. There are no requirements to extend help to the students, said Dait. When an individual has expressed his interest in helping out, the CNMI OWWA office calls the Manila Office so that it could allot a recipient from the Philippines. The OWWA office will then notify the CNMI office to confirm the sponsorship.

OWWA head administrator Marianito D. Roque earlier said in a letter to prospective sponsors that OWWA launched the project in December 2004 for the schoolchildren to continue their elementary and high school education in the Philippines.

“The education of our youth being a responsibility of Filipinos here and abroad, may I appeal on our sense of social responsibility as we work together in laying down the foundation of our country’s future,” Roque said, adding that for only $100, donors could be “foster parents of Tuloy-Aral Kids” for one school year.

For more information on how to extend assistance, donors can visit the OWWA office located at the ground floor of the Nauru Building in Susupe.