Last November 18, the Zone V Camera Club (ZVCC), together with the Virlanie Foundation, launched their third Learning Hub, stationed in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, during the event “Pamilya para sa Pamilya.”
Through Zone V Camera Club’s Print Sale program last year entitled “Images of H.0.P.E. (Helping Others Prosper and Excel)” and this year’s 2″° ZVCC Golf Tournament, the group continues to raise funds to buy computers and learning equipment and build new branches of their Learning Hubs.
Located at the Livelihood Center, Lumang Palengke Building, Juan Luna Street, the latest Learning Hub will benefit 250 learners, ranging from 10 to 22 years old, as well as their mothers, who are part of the Virlanie Community Livelihood.
This branch will be a fully functioning digital learning center equipped with 10 desktop computers with fast and reliable internet speed and connectivity, addressing the children’s needs for finding an environment conducive to studies.
As in the past three years of building these Learning Hubs, the country’s leading broadband and digital services provider PLDT Home came in to ensure strong and reliable internet for the latest branch. This year, Crocs joined the project as well, partnering with ZVCC to give out over 200 pairs of footwear to the children beneficiaries.
GIVING ADVANTAGE TO THE DISADVANTAGED
Virlanie Foundation, a well-established agile organization that continues to care for the most disadvantaged children in a collaborative manner, takes pride in this latest center for learning as it complements and furthers its shared vision and commitment to ensure that every child has a better life.
“Virlanie Foundation is very thankful for the efforts of the Zone V Camera Club, as this new Learning Hub that they built through their fund-raising will surely be very important in the development of our children,” said Ms. Arlyne Fernandez, Executive Director.
“This project will greatly help us in our mission to provide the most disadvantaged children with a caring family environment, opportunities for their healing and development through a multi-disciplinary approach. In collaboration with all stakeholders, and with the support of organizations like the Zone V Camera Club, we are confident that our children can reach their full potential and contribute to society in very big ways in the very near future,” continued Arlyne Fernandez.
CONTINUING THE LEGACY OF CARING
Since its creation in 1978, Zone V Camera Club (ZVCC), a group of photo enthusiasts who share a love for the visual arts and craft, has become one of the most distinguished fine art photography clubs in the Philippines today.
Having already garnered acclaim at both local and international photography competitions, the organization’s membership has fused their passion for photography as an art form with an equally strong desire to create a positive impact and difference in people’s lives, most especially for the youth in need.
For many years now, ZVCC has been holding various exhibits and fund-raising activities to support the accessibility and advancement of the education of underprivileged students through their charity-event in past years, Images of H.O.P.E. (HELPING OTHERS PROSPER & EXCEL).
In 2021, the charity-event’s beneficiaries were scholars from the Assumption Development Foundation (ADF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the learning development of select youths at Sapang Palay, Bulacan. The launch of the first Learning Hub meant these underprivileged but deserving children and youth were able to receive 10 desktop computers plus internet connectivity so that the scholars could get access to information for their studies, helping the foundation in its perpetual mission to break the cycle of poverty through education.
Last 2022, ZVCC chose for their charity-event to benefit Educational Research Development Assistance (ERDA) SaBaNa (for SAnayan ng mga BAtang NAnambakan – which translates to Training Center for Child Scavengers).
Founded in 1974 by Fr. Pierre T. Tritz, SJ (Society of Jesus), a Frenchman who renounced his citizenship to become a Filipino national, ERDA dissuades Filipino children from dropping out of school. The ERDA Foundation helps underprivileged students in Radial Road 10, Tondo, Manila through the continued support of partners, volunteers, and generous benefactors such as ZVCC. Through last year’s efforts, 10 desktop computers were provided partnered with internet connection that went a long way in enhancing the children’s learning journeys.
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE
For 2023, ZVCC looks to continue its momentum as it has successfully established Learning Hubs every year for the past three years, in a long-term mission to uplift the lives and the educational experience of the youth in need.
“The Virlanie Foundation has already assisted thousands of children in their education, and Zone V is hopeful that we can help even more through this latest endeavor,” said Angela Panlilio, President of Zone V Camera Club. “But of course we need the public’s support, and so we invite our friends, art collectors, and photography buffs to please support us in any way that you can during our upcoming and future events or fund-raisers.”
“With your patronage, together we can blend our passion for works of art with a passion for worthy causes,” Panlilio closed.
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