Empowering Minds, Illuminating Futures: San Juan Campus kick-starts 4th year of SHELS Extension Program

Southern Leyte State University-San Juan Campus kick-started a new academic year of an extension program in Saint Bernard, named "SHELS (Sanitation, Health, Livelihood, and Socio Civic) Academic Enhancement Activity for Mamanwa Learners," inaugurated in November 2019.

The SHELS program was made possible with the partnership between Southern Leyte State University-San Juan Campus and the Department of Education (DepEd) in Saint Bernard.

The primary objective of the SHELS extension project is to empower Mamanwa learners with multifaceted teaching strategies that address their diverse needs. The project is conducted every Wednesday, providing one-on-one teaching lessons in reading and basic arithmetic by educators from the Department of Teacher’s Education.

This year, the project has reached 21 learners, comprising 12 females and nine males. It operates in both Malinao Multi-Grade School and Catmon Integrated School.

Dr. Vangilit Retome, the visionary leader behind the SHELS initiative, is very excited to embark on another academic year of impacting the lives of these Mamanwa Learners while instilling a lifelong love for learning.

She believes that the program will be a success through engaging and interactive teaching methods and by customizing educational approaches based on each learner's unique needs. This ensures students have the skills to unlock their full academic potential.

Additionally, the project has done several outreach programs designed to help the families of these Mamanwa students. This year, they have given grocery items sponsored by kind-hearted private individuals to help them with daily sustenance.

The SHELS project marks a step forward for the SLSU-San Juan Campus as it exemplifies the institution's commitment to uplifting the lives of the marginalized while highlighting the importance of education.

As the SHELS project strides into a new academic year, the alliance between Southern Leyte State University-San Juan Campus and the Department of Education-Saint Bernard stands firm in their mission, which is to break down barriers, ignite aspirations, and shape a brighter future for these marginalized students.