By Angelito Gaballo

Inspired by Mr. Public Service, Kuya Daniel Razon’s Mobile School dubbed as “Dunong Gulong” by its partner-agency, Bureau of Alternative Learning System of Department of Education (DEPed), BREAD Society International launched its own version in support to the same anti-illiteracy campaign, the “BREADucation 1:3”.

BREADucation 1:3 is one of commitment projects of BREAD Society International this 2011. BREAD Society will mobilize their chapters nationwide to engage in Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education, train their leaders and officers to become effective ALS Facilitators and Instructional Managers. Traditionally, ALS encourages volunteers to take part in educating the impoverished youth sector, usually in far-flung areas where basic education is either hard to access due to location and distance or beyond avail due to economic incapability. To revolutionize this original concept of DEPed, BREAD Society rebranded, innovated and modernized this ALS Program by launching the BREADucation 1:3, transforming this into a feeding program, yes, a feeding program where one (1) beneficiary/client will be provided with food, three (3) servings per session: (1)literal food for his stomach, (2)academic food for his mind and (3)Biblical food for his soul, (by ratio, 1 is to 3, as coined in the title of this project). One BREADUcation Unit will be armed with the following: BREADucation Tent to shelter the learners, laptop with speakers, writing pad and materials, books, and most importantly, BIBLE. They will be taught of BREAD Spiritual Songs, Bible Studies will also be held and possibly, they may also be taught of livelihood programs to develop them become economically competitive.

On December 10, 2010, an ALS Orientation was held in La Verdad Christian College (LVCC), Caloocan Campus to prepare the volunteers for 2011 activation of the project. Mr. Juan Obierna of Quezon City Department of Alternative Learning System conducted said orientation, attended by 54 BREAD Officers initially from National Capital Region. After consulting Region Presidents, National EXECOM received notes and memos signifying their willingness and eagerness to support the program.

“With this swelling number of BREAD delegates willing to support the BREADucation 1:3 at the very beginning of our time-table, we can see hope that target clients- both youths or adults- will no longer be ignoramus, with God’s help,” said Ms. Sheila Gutierrez, the appointed Project Director for the BREADucation 1:3. Ms. Gutierrez is the International Vice President for Membership Affairs of BREAD Society and currently sitting as Deputy Administrator of LVCC.

Mr. Jensen Sobrejuanite, the National President that time and now the International VP for Spiritual Welfare and Development, gave words of encouragement to the delegates and reminded them of how important the project is in bring hope to our less-privileged fellowmen.