BENEFICIARIES of the tablet donations expressed gratitude to the youth organization Kilos Kabataan Livelihood Foundation Incorporated and to the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

Joshua Velasco, a street kid from Cagayan de Oro City, was among those who benefited and said the mobile tablet will definitely help him finish his education.

“I am very thankful because even though I have nothing, they helped me and gave me an opportunity to finish my education,” Velasco said in the vernacular.

The KKLFI recently donated 50 tablets to the Army 4th Infantry Division headed by Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. for its support to the military’s ‘Education for All’ peace campaign for indigenous people.

In a statement over the weekend, Col. Michele Anayron Jr., 4ID deputy commander for Retirees Reservist Affairs, said 13 units were immediately distributed to select indigenous peoples youth beneficiaries identified by the 8th Infantry Battalion in Bukidnon province, while the 4ID is finalizing the identification of other beneficiaries.

KKLFI founder and chief executive officer Kristin Bangot said the endeavor is part of their ‘education for all’’ advocacy which they extend to communities that are geographically isolated and disadvantaged.

“We want to give aid to students who want to study but are hampered by difficulties due to lack of digital gadgets for online education. We intend to share quality education and equal opportunities for everybody, particularly in digital education, especially that we have this pandemic,” she said.

Brawner said the partnership with KKLFI is a big boost to the military’s fight against violent extremism as it helps contribute to stopping youth radicalism in the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions, especially by elements of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and National Democratic Front.