The Program: “LINGAP SA PAARALAN AT KABATAANG FILIPINO”

    
    LINGAP SA PAARALAN AT KABATAANG FILIPINO (nicknamed LINGAP) is designed and created primarily to help the school and the underprivileged Filipino Youths help each other in a symbiotic environment patterned after a Munificent Business System which derives its existence and funding from offering school photography services and sharing back to society part of its profits.

    
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS:

First came a dream…  LINGAP was conceptualized in the early part of 2004 by Dino Canlas with Jose Flores providing technical support.

    Armed with an old personal computer, a borrowed canon ixus camera and together with one youth (Hazelle C. Alvante), and a long time friend (Pol Apacible), LINGAP started to embark on a journey which most people said was impossible.

    Determined and inspired by the challenges, LINGAP got its first school partner, Carmina Day Care Center, under Mrs. Edna Argana, on February 2005.  After the last piece of picture was distributed, news spread quickly about its quality and cost.  During the summer months, three more youths were added.  Reggie Padua,  Celina Espiritu and Dion Canlas (Lingap's youngest Graphic Editor at 10 years old) were trained in basic digital imaging to provide support for the anticipated demands once the new school year opens.

    During those trying times, concerned and unselfish individuals extended gracious hands to LINGAP.  Among those were:

Mrs. Norma Polon (Buli Elementary School – Principal)
Mrs. Fatima Autor (MSWD Head – San Pedro, Laguna)
Mrs. Jane May Valbuena (F. de Mesa Elementary School -Principal)
Dr. Angelita Pelagio (Muntinlupa Elementary School – Principal)
and Mrs. Rhodora V. Mandap (Lakeview Elementary School – Principal).


WE WANT TO:

1.     HELP THE SCHOOL –
A.) To provide additional source of funding for the school’s needs.

B.) To provide all Government and Private Schools nationwide with its own official internet websites FREE of charge in keeping abreast with the changing times.

Significance:
a.)    The schools’ websites may be linked with that of the Government’s, providing for a more efficient and fast medium for communications.  The Government can save substantial amounts in terms of communications related expenses (postage/stamps, NDD/IDD calls, etc.)
b.)    Fosters awareness for the Faculty and Students with regards to cyber technology.
c.)    Adds prestige to the school as it opens its window to the world.

2.  HELP THE FILIPINO YOUTHS – To provide mainstreaming opportunities to selected poor Filipino youths, and youth handicaps by affording hands on training in digital imaging as well as basic website development.  Not only will the youths get free training, they also get a share from the proceeds of school pictures that LINGAP sells.

In other words, LINGAP pays its students to study!

    Significance:
d.)    Harness the volatile minds of the youths and focusing into one common objective, that is, to become productive members of the society.  With this, we envision to alleviate the problems if not eradicate juvenile related problems that plague us.
e.)    Provides possible source of livelihood.

THIS IS HOW WE DO IT:

    Selected youths will be given FREE basic training in basic digital imaging.  Their matriculation, meals and transportation allowances are derived from the proceeds of school pictures.

    To further illustrate:

 FUNDING:

    The Program is designed to stand on its own in terms of finances.  We derive our financial requirements from digital imaging services.  Such as:

    School ID’s
    Digital Class Pictures
    Graduation Photos
    Etc.

    Other services offered:
        Website Design and Development
        Tarpaulin Layout and Printing
        T-Shirt Printing

    Part of the proceeds is used to defray for the expenses needed in training our youths.  LINGAP also sets aside a portion of its income to help the school / PTA in augmenting its financial resources, while the rest is used for maintaining LINGAP’s operation.


SHARING OUR BLESSINGS:

We may have tiny wallets, but we honestly try to possess BIG hearts.  Not only are we intent on teaching technical matters, we are also keen on imparting values to all LINGAP youths.

    We teach them the importance of sharing and compassion.  At LINGAP, even the poorest youths get to share their blessings.  Everybody contributes a little of what they can.  The amount collected is used to buy rice, noodles and sardines which are then distributed to poor families dwelling nearby our School Partners.

     With this humble act, we hope to inculcate in their minds that to be strong, one has to help the weak.  For our nation to progress, we ought to help one another with love in our hearts without expecting anything in return.

FINAL WORDS:

We at LINGAP are now prepared to bring this project on a higher level.

The task at hand may seem daunting.  However, if we work hand in hand in the true spirit of “bayanihan”, we believe that we will overcome and achieve our goals.

    This is one fine laurel to be added on your cap.  We invite you to join us in the creation of a legacy.  Let us carve our names in history so that the future generations may reap the fruits of what we have conscientiously sown today.

Let us leave something for them to remember us by… even before we are long gone.