CARITAS Manila announced it can help around 5,000 scholars after raising P12.7 million during its one-day fundraising drive earlier this week.

Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, explained that the amount was raised during the July 15 Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program or YSLEP Telethon over Church-run Radio Veritas.

The fund will be used for assistance to 5,000 scholars for the School Year 2024-2025.

Pascual thanked contributors as he noted the crucial role of education in combating poverty and empowering young Filipinos.

He said the funds raised will support YSLEP scholars in pursuing college degrees and technical vocational courses, equipping them with the tools to uplift the quality of life of their families.

In the previous school year, over a thousand YSLEP scholars graduated, with many achieving high honors.

The YSLEP telethon 2024 theme is Empowering Youth Servant Leaders: Guided by Service, Inspired by Purpose, and will be dedicated to the continued education of its scholars in various parts of the country.

Pascual has earlier said 1,270 students have graduated for the 2023-2024 school year through the program’s help.

To date, there are over 5,000 YSLEP scholars in different parts of the country including Muslims and Christians.