Village Connect
Online ESL Teachers Gave a Helping Hand to Taal Volcano Eruption Victims
With more than 20,000 teachers across the archipelago, 51Talk, one of the largest online English education platforms in the world, was quick to activate and respond to support and help co-teachers as well as residents affected by the Taal volcano eruption.
51Talk teacher Rayver, based in Batangas City, was just going about his usual teaching day at home when the Taal Volcano erupted. As the days went by and the alert levels were raised, his Batangas-based friends’ social media posts seeking aid for evacuees spurred him to reach out and activate his fellow 51Talk teachers to pool together resources and donate to the affected people.
“What happened after that was just short of a miracle. People started giving out cash donations and sending out goods and supplies like sleeping cots. I didn’t expect that this small gesture would create an avalanche of support from my co-51Talk teachers, from the JCI organization, and even from strangers who simply want to help. I was very happy because their kindness would help my fellow kababayans,” said Rayver.
51Talk Country Head Jennifer Que gave credit to the teachers because of their eagerness to help and their attitude of kindness.
“Our teachers from all over the country as far as Baguio, Bacolod, Cebu and Davao have been coordinating with us since day one offering to help their co-teachers and other people affected because they are truly concerned,” Ms. Que said.
Ms. Que added that 51Talk’s presence across the Philippines and the teachers’ strong sense of community helped immensely. “Teachers dropped off donations in 51Talk’s accredited centers which allowed us to send aid right away. And because the donations kept on coming, we had to go back just a few days after,” explained Ms. Que.
A total of PHP 500,000 worth of donations was received from 51Talk teachers. Around five hundred evacuees in Tabangao Elementary School and Sta. Rita Elementary School in Batangas City received food packs, supplies and clothes.
The platform, on the other hand, gave cash assistance to affected teachers. 51Talk estimate that hundreds of home-based online English teachers using the platform located in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite were affected by the volcano’s eruption, ashfall, and subsequent earthquakes.
“I thank all 51Talk teachers for the donations and assistance,” said Ms. Que. “You have once again showed your collective kindness and generosity as a kapwa 51Talk teacher.”
#Kapwa51Talk is the platform’s corporate social responsibility program which includes health, wellness and nutrition programs like fun runs, feeding programs, and medical missions that benefit charitable institutions and underserved communities, among others.
“I also thank Batangas City Mayor Beverly Dimacuha and 5th District Congressman Marvey Mariño, as well as our partners from JCI Batangas Caballero led by Mikee Panopio for their support and assistance,” added Ms. Que.
