(Newswire.net — February 10, 2014) Singapore, Singapore — A group of SAS high school students have not forgotten the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines. The student-led Migrant Workers Outreach Program (MWOP) teaches courses to workers in Singapore – many of whom are Filipino and were impacted by the typhoon. Over the last two years, the program has enjoyed a budget surplus, allowing them to donate $10,000 to the Philippine Red Cross relief fund.
“Our group focuses on improving the lives of workers here in Singapore. Our courses have become very popular and we have had fundraising success allowing us to use some of our resources to help people in the Philippines,” explained SAS senior Oscar Adelman, president of MWOP. “While attention has been diverted from the typhoon to other more recent events, we hope to remind everyone that many people in the Philippines remain without basics such as shelter and food. They are still trying to put their lives back together.”
Adelman and other leaders of MWOP recently met with the Philippine Ambassador to Singapore, Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz, to make the donation directly and to discuss their on-going efforts. Ambassador Cruz expressed her appreciation to the students for their generosity and continued focus on the lives of Filipinos.
Ambassador Cruz was impressed to learn about MWOP and the efforts SAS students are making to empower workers by giving them the skills they need to find better jobs in the future. In just the past two years, hundreds of Filipinos have taken the Sunday classes offered at SAS and taught by volunteers. Courses in English language and computer skills are taught by students and SAS teachers.
The next English course session will be held on February 23, March 2, March 9, and March 16 and the next computer skills course session will be held on March 30, April 6, and April 13. Each course costs $10, however scholarships are available. Information about course registration is available on the group’s Facebook page, SAS Migrant Workers Outreach Program.
For further inquiries, email migrantworkersoutreachprogram@gmail.com.
Established in 1956, the school primarily serves the American and international expatriate communities of Singapore. SAS is registered with the Singapore Council for Private Education, affiliated with the Office of Overseas Schools through the U.S. Department of State, and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
For more information about Singapore American School visit www.sas.edu.sg.
Written by contributor Claire O’Brien, SAS high school student and member of MWOP.