A quiet but profound transformation is taking place at Little Baguio Elementary School in Barangay El Nonok, Banga, South Cotabato. The school, once held back by fundamental challenges, now stands as a model of holistic support, thanks to a comprehensive initiative led by the ML Cares Foundation with the backing of M Lhuillier. Completed recently, the project tackled multiple barriers to learning simultaneously, creating an environment where students and teachers can truly thrive.
A Foundation of Health and Dignity
The cornerstone of the intervention is a newly built, gender-responsive comfort room and handwashing station. For the young learners, especially girls, this development is life-changing. Previously, the absence of adequate and private sanitation facilities created a significant, though often unspoken, obstacle to regular school attendance. This barrier has now been dismantled, ensuring that students can attend class with dignity and without health concerns related to poor hygiene.
Complementing the new infrastructure was a crucial Basic Personal Hygiene Education and Training session. Foundation volunteers taught students the vital practices of proper handwashing, personal cleanliness, and disease prevention. This knowledge empowers children to make healthier choices, leading to fewer illnesses and, consequently, fewer absences from school.
Equipping Minds and Classrooms
Understanding that learning cannot happen without basic tools, the foundation provided direct material support to every student. Each child received a school bag filled with essential supplies, including notebooks and pens. Perhaps more importantly, the bags contained hygiene kits with soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. For families navigating tight budgets, these kits remove a tangible financial burden and ensure students have the personal care items needed for daily health.
The support extended to the educators as well. Recognizing that better-equipped teachers deliver better-quality education, the foundation donated a new desktop computer and printer to the school. This technology enables teachers to prepare lessons more efficiently, create engaging materials, and manage administrative tasks, ultimately enhancing the overall learning experience for their students.
A Blueprint for Lasting Change
What distinguishes this project is its integrated, multi-pronged strategy. It acknowledges that challenges like poor sanitation, lack of supplies, and inadequate teaching tools are interconnected and must be addressed together to create sustainable improvement. By not offering a piecemeal solution, ML Cares has established the conditions for enduring progress rather than providing temporary relief.
This initiative, finalized and reported in early January 2026, exemplifies corporate social responsibility executed with deep understanding. It responds directly to the identified needs of the Little Baguio community and invests in outcomes that will resonate for years. As students wash their hands in the new station and teachers print their latest lessons, the focus at Little Baguio Elementary can finally shift entirely to what matters most: the pursuit of knowledge and a brighter future.
