Some of the unfortunate victims of the COVID-19 pandemic are students who have been left stranded in dormitories and boarding houses when the order for the Enhanced Community Quarantine took effect.
The students rely on financial support from parents and loved ones, who were far away but also under home quarantine. Soon enough, these students had to make ends meet, by scraping together what meager resources they have.
Sensing the need to help the students, the New Era University Alumni Association Incorporated (NEUAAI) provided them much-needed relief goods on April 11 and 18, 2020. Each goodwill bag contains essential food and toiletries that will last for up to two weeks.
According to Atty. Randy B. Escolango, President of the NEUAAI, the relief goods were given to 540 students and 60 personnel of the University who were also left stranded by the ECQ. Extensive consultations with University admimistrators and Barangay New Era officials were conducted to identify beneficiaries.
On weekdays, Alumni officials along with volunteers repacked the relief goods in nearby residences, in Veterans Village and Tandang Sora. In addition to the Alumni’s pooled resources, the Alumni of the NEU College of Accountancy donated around P250,000.00 to the relief effort.
The Association has also extended assistance during the Taal Volcano eruption last January where the group braved the perilous trek to Batangas to deliver relief goods to evacuees staying at Batangas City South Elementary School and NEU-Lipa Branch.
Under the Cover-19 pandemic, the Alumni Association went to the dormitories and provided relief goods to stranded students.
Joel Gonzallo, an NEU student from the African country of Liberia, was very thankful for the assistance. “When the quarantine took effect, I and my classmates rarely went outside the dormitory, and whenever we did go out, the nearby shops were closed or had no food stocks. We are very thankful to the Alumni Association for helping us and other stranded students.”
The New Era University Alumni Association Incorporated said it is always ready to reach out and help those who are in need. “Kasiyahan po ng NEUAAI na maging mabuting kasangkapan na makatulong lalo na po sa panahon ngayon. (It is the NEUAAI’s pleasure to be effective instruments ready to serve especially in these present times),” said Atty. Escolango.
For those who want to extend assistance, call NEUAAI President Randy Escolango at 0917 898 4050.