Calonkambing Elementary School

Calonkambing Elementary School is situated in a mid-high mountain range in Glan, Sarangani. While the small community dreams of a space conducive to learning for themselves or for their children, two out of their six working classrooms have been marked condemned and dangerous due to the weak integrity of the structures. Some children, while having the desire to attend school, simply do not have the option to. What hinders them may be a lack of parental support, not having enough money to sustain the primary needs of the pupils, or a long and grueling commute from home to school.

In partnership with the PhilSeven Foundation, HOPE built two new classrooms in 2019 which are now being used by at least 60 Grade 1 and Grade 2 students. The build marked the first of HOPE’s classrooms located in a midland area. “The Friends of HOPE, Inc.  gives hope and interest for children even living in far-flung areas,” one stakeholder said.  In addition to the classrooms, the 7-Eleven team went the extra mile and provided school kits to the students during the turnover ceremony. On top of providing a space for learners today, these classrooms will serve students now and “every year thereafter,” as one stakeholder puts it. The classrooms have truly served as community centers and were even used during the National and Local Elections in 2022.