Expats send flip-flops to young Filipinos

Three Indian expatriates, moved by the plight of school children in the Philippines, support a project called Lapis, Papel, Aklat Atbp (Pencils, Paper, Books Etc).

Galo Damon Calizo of the UPAA-UAE co-ordinated with Indian expats to buy flip-flops for needy children in the Philippines.

DUBAI // Three Indian expatriates who were moved by the plight of children in the Philippines have banded together to buy 400 pairs of flip-flops for them. After reading about a project started by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in the UAE (UPAA-UAE) to collect supplies for two schools in one of the poorest parts of the country, the men contacted the group to ask what was needed most.

They then pooled several hundred dirhams to buy the items. "It doesn't matter if we're helping someone from Africa, the Philippines or India," said Reggie D'Souza, 45, a senior finance executive. "Reading about the plight of the children made me realise how privileged we are here in the UAE." The Lapis, Papel, Aklat Atbp (Pencils, Paper, Books etc) project was launched to help 400 pupils at the Mataguisi Elementary School and the Mataguisi Comprehensive National High School in Pudtol, about 500km north of Baguio City. The school term starts in June.

Galo Damon Calizo, the head of the special projects committee of UPAA-UAE, said most of the children's families could not afford to buy shoes, let alone books. "Many are forced to walk barefoot to school," he said. Mr D'Souza and his two co-workers - Ravinder Bhandari, 57, and Pradeep Warrier, 42 - bought the rubber footwear from a wholesale market. Mr D'Souza plans to add about 50 books to the shipment.

The Mataguisi Elementary School does not have electricity, relying on generators run by crude oil, fuelled with contributions from parents. Anyone who wants to donate to the project can contact Mr Calizo at 050 841 9880 or by e-mail at [e-mail]. @Email:[e-mail]