For the past fifteen years, we have, with support from generous sponsors, been able to bring to the University’s Loyola Heights campus children (aged 6 and above) from communities of the poor in such areas as Fairview, Novaliches, Payatas, Commonwealth, Loyola Heights, Cubao, Marikina, and Cainta where the Gawad Kalinga-Ateneo, the Ateneo Center for Educational Development, certain Loyola Schools organizations, and Jesuit scholastics carry out apostolic work.
The children are fetched in groups from their humble but heroic communities in rented jeepneys and brought to the sprawling Loyola Height campus, to engage in educational/formative activities, run about, watch shows and performances, enjoy inflatable giant slides or equivalent play facilities, participate in games, and win prizes. They partake of merienda and lunch and are returned to their communities with some mementos of their day at the Ateneo de Manila, full stomachs, countless pleasant memories, and happy hearts. This is the Ateneo way of bringing cheer and hope to the children of marginalized families each year.
This school year’s edition of the LIGHTS FOR HOPE 16 continues to be undertaken as a University-wide social development outreach activity under the primary handling of the Office of the Vice President for Social Development. It will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017, again at the Ateneo de Manila High School premises. Formative and interactive activities among university students and children will be held from 8:30 am until lunchtime and fair-like entertainment and activities will be provided the children from 1:00-5:30 pm. For this edition, we are expecting to host 1,200 children.
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