FundLife Launches COVID-19 Emergency Education Fund for Children
September 10, 2021
2020 Beyond Sport Global Award shortlisters, FundLife have announced a partnership with the BitGive Foundation to leverage blockchain technology to deliver critical help to vulnerable Filipino children. All public schools in the Philippines have been closed since March 14, 2020, forcing over 22 million children out of school for over 500 days and at increased risk of domestic abuse, gender-based violence and online exploitation.
The partnership will allow any individual or business to donate Bitcoin or several other digital currencies through an Emergency Education Fund to support children suffering from ongoing COVID-19 education and child protection emergencies. Through the campaign, FundLife will be able to keep 1,000 children safe and in learning for 30 days, while providing much-needed mentorship and support during the unprecedented lockdowns.
Established in 2013, BitGive is the first Bitcoin and Blockchain charity aimed at transforming the world through digital currencies. Founder and Executive Director, Connie Gallippi, told Crowdfund Insider that she quickly understood and realised the potential impact of blockchain or distributed ledger technology (DLT) on many of the issues that nonprofits have suffered.
Through a 'GiveTrack platform', donors will be able to track their gift and see in real-time the impact it is having while having full traceability of funds deployed. For less than $0.7 a day, FundLife is able to reach one child with an Emergency Education Pack to ensure their safety and access to learning for 30 days. The Emergency Response Fund aims to reach 1,000 vulnerable children in FundLife supported communities who have been out of schooling and direct teaching for over 17 months.
FundLife was born out of a natural disaster. Over the course of nine days in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) devastated Southeast Asia and particularly the Philippines. It was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded and many of the 16 million affected were left with nothing. Those who would ultimately go on to form the organization took notice of the social interventions made in response to alleviate the resulting trauma, a number of which consisted of play-based sessions and sport tournaments in partnership with local clubs and communities.
Fundlife saw the potential to use sport holistically to support vulnerable children – recognizing that it all began with play. They aim to deliver direct support to children through access to purposeful play, quality education and positive youth mentors, ensuring even the most vulnerable reach their full potential.
Founder and Executive Director, Marko Kasic, said, “COVID-19 has decimated education for marginalized children across the Philippines. By engaging and harnessing the reach of the cryptocurrency community, we can keep hundreds of children in learning and ensure they receive critical support during this unprecedented and prolonged emergency.”
The collaboration with BitGive aims to further accelerate the organisation's mission to ensure children have access to a safe childhood, quality education and equitable opportunity to realise their full potential. “The potential of blockchain technologies to deliver quality education for marginalised children is undeniable and we are excited about embracing it”, Kasic added.
To contribute to the Emergency Education Fund for children in the Philippines please visit FundLife’s GiveTrack Page.