"Aditako Bokodan Di Gawis" = Let Us Share our Blessings

Project Description.  This project offers an excellent outlet for tax deductible donations, since sponsors will be assured that even with as little as a $50.00 tuition fee grant sponsorship, they would have made a big difference in the life of an economically handicapped but talented student in the hinterlands of the Philippine Cordilleras. In addition, sponsors will be helping St. Mary's School continue with its mission of dispensing quality Christian education to the Igorots and related people of Northern Luzon. They will be helping a marginalized people catch up with the rest of the world.

Starting school year 2005, the SMS school administration will be focused on implementing the school curriculum called forth by its 5-Year Development Plan. While the school curriculum more than covers the basic building blocks of a quality-education creation program, it is expected that its appeal to parents is still not as enticing for them to forego the free public schools and enroll their children in SMS which will definitely be charging tuition fees to sustain its operations.

The school needs scholarship funding to attract talented students not only from Sagada but more so from interior municipalities and  barrios in the Philippine Cordilleras. These are the best hope for SMS to establish a reputation of a source of good quality education for economically handicapped but talented students. Talented students are the most likely students by which SMS can translate its curriculum into the limelight of academic excellence. Once SMS has reclaimed its reputation as a good quality source of education, it is hoped that parents will be motivated to send their school to SMS even if they have to pay tuition fees. The school is, therefore, appealing to alumni and friends to make sponsorship of SMS scholars a top priority in their support and/or fund-raising involvement during the next four years as they implement the new school curriculum described in the 5-Year Development Plan.

Project Costing. The cost of an SMS scholar or grantee is not that much estimated at:

• $140.00 per full academic scholar per year.

• $120.00 per partial academic scholar per year.

• $100.00 per full student grantee per year.

• $50.00 per partial student grantee per year.

Two or more individuals can pool their donations/contributions to sponspor any of the scholarship/grants described above. However, any amount is welcome [i. e., coin collections, a dollar, two dollars, etc..]. Just indicate where your donation/contribution will be allocated, i. e.,  scholarships or for grants, when you send your donation/contributions to the SMSSAFF treasurer.

Please click on the  "Sponsor A Student Brochure" to read more details on the Sponsor a Student Program.

Project Status. A working committee on the SAS project is in the process of being formed and alumni and friends are encouraged to join this endeavor. Please click on "Sponsor A Student Funding Assistance Committee" to read the task, current committee chair, and nominated / suggested members of this committee.

Where to send tax deductible donations for SMS in the USA:

• The Treasurer
  SMSS Alumni and Friends Foundation
  760 George St.
  Teaneck, NJ 07666
  Phone: 201-833-1548
  Email: Isaley@aol.com

For other help options, click on any of the hereunder hyperlinks:

I. Computers and Related Equipment Funding Assistance Project.

II. Sponsor A Student Funding Assistance Project

III. Library Facilities Improvement Funding Assistance Project  

IV. Sports Complex/Auditorium Funding Assistance Project   

V. Dormitories Funding Assistance Project    

VI. School Building and Facilities Renovaion/Upgrading  

VII. Endowment Fund Build-up

VIII. Book Campaign     

IX. Salary Equalization Fund          

X. Raffles     

XI. SMSSI Operating Budget       

XII. Memorial Funds

LBS