Now on its 4^th year, the Kibuaya ABK2 Initiative Parent Association (KAICOPA) held its annual Project Angel Tree activity through the yearly distribution of school supplies to the students of Barangay Kibuaya in Hagonoy, Davao Del Sur.

The event took place alongside KAICOPA’s 5^th General Assembly last June 5, 2017 at Brgy. Kibuaya and was participated by DOLE XI Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante, OIC-TSSD Chief Paul V. Cruz, DOLE-Davao Del Sur Field Office Chief Henry O. Montilla and DOLE XI Regional Anti- Child Labor Focal Melanie R. Jadulang.

Project Angel Tree is a program of DOLE under its Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program. This activity aims to provide assistance to the victims of Child Labor through food, clothing, educational assistance and even skills training and development through the initiative of the “Angels” or sponsors and benefactors from the different private and public sector.

KAICOPA used to be a beneficiary of the Project Angel Tree but with their hard work, they were able to sustain Project Angel Tree among themselves not only as a beneficiary but as “Angels” to the children of their barangay. This year, they were able to award school supplies to 390 beneficiaries, gave educational assistance to 30 high school students and provided full scholarship to 2 college students.

DOLE XI Director Agravante showed his admiration to KAICOPA for they have become a success story on how a beneficiary turned to a sponsor or benefactor. He also elaborated to the beneficiaries of Project Angel Tree the importance of education and that Child Labor will never be a solution to their children’s better future. He also pledged to help KAICOPA in their future projects most especially to the enhancement of their existing programs to provide better programs and projects for its members.

Kat Guilonsod/DOLE XI-TSSD