In a world where many children are forced to grow up too soon, a simple act of sitting down to read, count, or draw can mean everything.
This is the heart of the Basic Literacy and Numeracy (BLAN) Learning Sessions, a community-based initiative led by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) in partnership with ShellACTS and ChildHope Philippines. Here, learning becomes more than just a lesson. It becomes a lifeline.
The BLAN Sessions give underserved children a rare and precious gift: someone who believes in them.
Every Child Deserves a Chance
Many of the children who attend the sessions have limited or no access to formal schooling. Through the KalyEskwela program of ChildHope Philippines, they are identified and invited to take part in small group or one-on-one sessions that nurture the very basics of learning: reading, counting, recognizing colors and shapes, all through joy and play.
Guided by social workers and educators, ShellACTS volunteers become mentors and role models, offering their time, patience, and open hearts. For children who often feel left behind, these sessions become a safe space to try, make mistakes, and try again without fear.
Whether it is learning the alphabet through a colorful game or practicing math by counting snacks, each moment is filled with laughter, encouragement, and growth. Most of all, it is filled with love.
When Volunteers Become Heroes
The first session on May 4, 2024 started small with just four volunteers from the Finance Operations Credit team of Shell Business Operations (SBO) Manila. But from that humble beginning, the program has grown into a powerful expression of compassion and solidarity.
Since then, over 200 ShellACTS volunteers have joined the cause, not only teaching children but also packing learning kits, coordinating activities, and sharing meals. Many have formed deep bonds with the kids they mentor, proof that even a few hours of your time can leave a lifelong mark on someone else’s journey.
Each session is a celebration of learning, connection, and resilience. For shy children who once hesitated to speak, these gatherings become their stage to sing, to dance, to smile wide with newfound confidence.
A Growing Circle of Care
In 2024, BLAN completed six sessions, ending the year with a Christmas celebration filled with music, games, and gift-giving. In 2025, the dream continues. Three sessions have already touched the lives of hundreds of children:
- April 26 at the SBO office with 20 children
- June 7 at Jacinto Ciria Cruz Sports Complex with 150 children
- June 28 at the same venue with 100 children
Each session is made possible through shared generosity. Learning kits, snacks, and smiles are provided by volunteers and supported by PSFI.
Beyond Numbers, It Is About Love
Behind every statistic is a child discovering joy in learning. Behind every lesson plan is a volunteer choosing to make a difference.
BLAN is not just about literacy and numeracy. It is about lifting each other up. It is about the stories written in coloring books and in hearts, the story of what happens when people come together not out of obligation, but out of love.
A Future Full of Promise
PSFI believes that no child should be left behind. Through BLAN, ShellACTS volunteers and partner organizations show what is possible when we reach out with empathy, humility, and hope.
Each session is a reflection of ShellACTS’ call to Serve More, a commitment to extend help beyond the workplace and into the lives of children who need encouragement, care, and support. It is about giving time, sharing stories, and creating safe spaces where children feel seen, heard, and valued.
These sessions remind us that true learning starts with connection. And in every child’s giggle, every volunteer’s tearful goodbye, and every shared story of triumph, we are reminded that we rise by lifting others.
