Pinays raise funds for 'JeepNeed'

MANILA, Philippines - The jeepney for most is a cheap mode of transport, but for two young Filipinas, it is an instrument that can bring poor children closer to their dreams.

Shaina Tanjuico and Erika Pineda, both in their early 20s, are raising funds to bankroll the “JeepNeed” project, which involves redesigning the popular transport mode into a mobile science learning lab for public school students.

“Our mission is to build a sustainable educational system for all, to change the way non-profits, the government, and the private sector work with public schools by putting the needs of the community at the forefront,” Tanjuico told The STAR in an interview.

Tanjuico said they chose to focus on science learning since it can integrate disciplines such as social studies, mathematics, and the arts.

“It (science) has a direct connection to livelihood and creativity, vocation and invention. The goal of education is to make more choices available to students and science and technology is a good starting point,” she said.

Tanjuico said a jeepney can accommodate many students and can reach remote areas while carrying the needed learning tools.

JeepNeed is accepting pledges via Kickstarter (www.kickstarter.com <http://www.kickstarter.com/> ), which supports creative projects by serving as a platform for informing people about them.

Every project submitted to Kickstarter has a funding goal and a time limit set by the project proponents. If a project has met or surpassed its goal, all credit cards of those who pledged amounts are charged and the funds go to the proponent. If a project fails to meet its target, all pledges are canceled. The group of Tanjuico and Pineda needs to generate $8,000 worth of pledges before Nov. 14.

As of yesterday noon, JeepNeed has generated $4,377 from 58 people.

Investors – as Tanjuico wants to call them – who will support JeepNeed will have the chance to be acknowledged in the mobile science learning lab.

Those who will pledge $7 or more will get two photos of JeepNeed via e-mail and will be recognized in the project’s website. Investors who will pledge $15 or more will have their names on the jeepney’s bumper.

Those who will give $25 or more will receive a personal letter from the project proponents. Investors who will shell out $50 or more will have their caricature on the side of the JeepNeed.

People who will pledge $100 or more will be given a one-inch square space where they can place their art or design. Those who will pledge $250 or more will be given the chance to design a part of a jeep and will receive a print they can display in their living rooms.

Investors who vow to give $500 or more will be allowed to design the JeepNeed ceiling and will receive a copy of the artwork. Another possible reward is that a 2x3 side of the JeepNeed will be designed in their honor.

For those who will give $3,000 or more, their names will be sewn on the driver’s seat and will be given five prints.

Interested parties may support JeepNeed by visiting www.kickstarter.com/projects/530263804/jeepneed-magic-school-bus-for-the-philippines http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/530263804/jeepneed-magic-school-bus-for-the-philippines> They may also send an e-mail to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> or call 0917-3686301.

The JeepNeed, which will run on environment-friendly vegetable oil, will contain ten laptops, a projector, basic science materials and an Internet connection.

The project will also entail the hiring of parents and teachers who will help facilitate the weekly science classes.

Tanjuico, who obtained a bachelor of arts in policy schooling and the arts degree from the Massachusetts-based Mount Holyoke College, said they are still determining the public schools that will benefit from the project.

“We hope to launch a pilot in school year 2011, assuming that we get the money... We want to focus on years with the most number of dropouts and these are Grade 6, first year and second year (high school),” she said.

“Part of the project is to build something that the community can sustain. The barangays should decide what they need. It should be driven and facilitated by someone who knows the areas.”

In a country where funding constraints are affecting the quality of education, Tanjuico believes that people should do their part to help address the problem.

“We are responsible for responding to what is around us... I believe education is something that allows students to make their future. These are the students who will change the Philippines for us,” she said.