Support Health Literacy & Supplies Access for Zamora Kids!

Help Us Teach Kids Handwashing & Provide School Supplies!

Join The LAB Project, Ford Philanthropy, and Watson Institute in Empowering Young Learners with Health Literacy and Essential School Supplies!

We selected 100 students of J. Zamora Elementary School's Kindergarten and First Grade class in Pandacan, Manila, Philippines, as the recipients of this year's outreach program. The program will be implemented on June 4-5, 2025, as part of the Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship Basecamp activities.

The Urgent Need for Health Literacy

Did you know that 1 in 4 adolescents is health illiterate, meaning they lack the basic knowledge to make informed health decisions? Even more alarming, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 5 children under the age of 4 die from diarrhea, making it one of the leading causes of child mortality worldwide.

The solution is simple but powerful: proper handwashing. Diarrhea-related illnesses are largely preventable with basic hygiene, yet many children do not receive the education or resources to protect themselves.

At The LAB Project, we are taking action by teaching young children the importance of handwashing through storytelling and interactive learning. We also provide essential school supplies to kindergarten and first-grade students in underserved communities.

Why the children at J. Zamora Elementary School?

The kids at J.Zamora Elementary School live in the heart of crowded Manila, and the children identified are indignant and live in extreme poverty. Most depend on public assistance or charity donations to purchase basic school supplies and equipment to attend school.

Why Handwashing & School Supplies?

Handwashing with soap can reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases by up to 50%, yet many children are not taught this vital habit early in life. Using storytelling and hands-on activities, we make health literacy engaging and memorable, helping children develop lifelong habits that can save lives.

In addition, many students in underserved communities lack basic school supplies, making it difficult for them to focus on learning. By equipping them with knowledge and materials, we are setting them up for healthier, brighter futures.

What Your Donation Supports

Your generous contributions will help us:

- Create & distribute health literacy storybooks about handwashing and hygiene.

- Provide school supplies (notebooks, pencils, crayons, backpacks, etc.) to kindergarten and first-grade students.

- Host interactive handwashing workshops in schools, complete with fun demonstrations and learning activities.

- Implement a handwashing program at the kindergarten level and monitor its effectiveness.

- Deliver engaging storytelling sessions that make learning about health fun and impactful.

- Empower children with lifelong skills that promote health and well-being in their communities.

How You Can Help

Every donation makes a difference! Here’s how your contribution can help:

$10 – Provides a child with essential school supplies (pencils, papers, notebooks, pens, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpener).

$25 – Provides a child with essential school supplies, a backpack, and a water bottle.

$50 – Supplies health literacy books and hygiene kits to students.

$100 – Helps sponsor children with books, supplies, and a health literacy workshop!

$250 - Helps sponsor a whole class with a handwashing station, program, and monitoring!

Your donation is tax deductible! You will receive an email with our tax ID after you make the contribution.

Together, We Can Save Lives & Change Futures!

By donating, sharing, or simply spreading the word, you are helping us create healthier, brighter futures for young children. With your support, we can reduce preventable illnesses, increase health literacy, and give children the tools they need to succeed.

Donate today and be part of the movement to protect and educate the next generation!