Education

Forms of school bullying include verbal bullying (name-calling, teasing, insults, threats), physical bullying (hitting, pushing, kicking, damaging possessions, spitting), cyberbullying (sending hurtful messages, posting harmful content, online harassment), social bullying (spreading rumors, excluding someone, public humiliation), coercion and extortion (forcing someone to do something against their will or demanding money or belongings).

Children who were bullied during their school years
have been reported to suffer negative effects in the following area:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported that children
who experienced school bullying during adolescence are more likely
to experience depression and anxiety in adulthood.

This underscores the importance of school bullying prevention efforts.

To raise awareness of the growing and increasingly severe issue of bullying
and to help children develop healthy behavior, the Eastern U.S. Chapter
of the International WeLoveU Foundation (Hereinafter referred to as WeLoveU)
is conducting anti-bullying programs that teach appropriate responses and promote positive values.

There is an African proverb:
“It takes a village to raise a child.”

This highlights that raising children is a shared responsibility
involving the entire community—including families, schools,
local communities, governments, and businesses.

On April 24, WeLoveU held the Anti-Bullying Workshop in partnership
with the global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca,
under the theme “Inspiring a Kinder World.”

The event took place at the AstraZeneca campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland,
with around 1,200 participants, including WeLoveU members,
AstraZeneca employees, and their children.

Every year, AstraZeneca hosts a “Take Your Kids to Work Day” event,
offering parents and children the chance to build meaningful memories
through hands-on activities.

This year, in partnership with WeLoveU, AstraZeneca introduced
an interactive education program that help children learn
how to respond to various forms of violence,
creating a beneficial experience for both parents and kids.

WeLoveU members presented short skits
representing different types of bullying to help children understand
the issue more easily, and shared the message:
“Even a small act of kindness can stop hatred and violence.”

Children shared their ideas for responding to school bullying:
“Telling a trusted adult 📢”
“Reaching out to lonely classmates 🎀”
“Helping friends who are vulnerable 💕”
They also sang “Speechless,” the theme song from the film Aladdin,
to express their determination not to remain silent in the face of violence.

Around the campus, various activity booths offered science experiments,
craft workshops, and more—sparking curiosity and joy for the children.

Experiential learning programs like this
not only help prevent school bullying
but also bring positive impacts
such as children’s social development and well-being.

Chase Warner, Director of North America R&D Site Communications
at AstraZeneca, shared: “It was an honor to join with WeLoveU today.
Thanks to all of you, the event was both educational and filled
with laughter. Thank you for helping us convey the importance
of a world without bullying to our children.”

One AstraZeneca employee and parent commented:
“The skits were fantastic. They helped my child understand
the different types of violence in a fun and engaging way.
She loved singing and dancing with the members.
The whole event was amazing, and the message of creating
a kinder worldt hrough a mother’s heart was deeply moving.”

When NGOs and businesses work together through partnership,
they can fulfill their social responsibilities and create even greater synergy.

WeLoveU will continue to collaborate with like-minded organizations
around the world to prevent school bullying
and create a safer, kinder world for children everywhere.

With no access to public transportation, walking remains their only option.
For some, the round trip can take up to eight hours a day, leaving them
physically exhausted and often unable to focus or even attend school regularly.

A recent study conducted at a national university in Morocco
found that students with longer commutes are more likely to be late or absent,
and tend to have lower academic performance. Clearly, the burden of distance
can hinder students’ educational outcomes and future aspirations.

To address this challenge, the Ormoc City Department of Education
made a promise to sixth-grade students at the start of the last school year:
“Maintain good attendance for one year, and you will be given a bicycle.”

With a bicycle, students can reduce their commute time
from 3–7 hours on foot to just 1–3 hours. As junior high schools
are also located far away, having a bicycle helps them continue
their studies after graduation. Encouraged by the promise,
students significantly improved their attendance rates.

As the end of the school year approached, the Department of Education
sought support to fulfill their commitment,
and came across the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation.

On April 23, a bicycle donation ceremony was held at Leondoni Elementary
School. The event was attended by school teachers, students, representatives
from the Ormoc City Police Office and Department of Education, officials
from the Leondoni barangay office, and members of the WeLoveU Foundation.

WeLoveU supports children’s big dreams by providing audiovisual equipment
Principal Jonathan Villacorte expressed his gratitude, saying,
“We sincerely thank Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah for her generous donation.
These bicycles will help our students commute more easily
and attend school more consistently.”

Education Supervisor Uldarico N. Bojos Jr of District V added,
“Among all my years in education, I have never experienced a day
as touching and meaningful as this one.”
He extended his heartfelt thanks to WeLoveU on behalf of the students.

Excitement filled the air as the students rode their new bicycles
for the first time, their faces beaming with joy.
WeLoveU members shared their hopes that the improved commute
would inspire greater motivation in learning
and help students take meaningful steps toward their dreams.

In recognition of their contribution to improving academic conditions
for local youth, the Ormoc City Department of Education,
the Leondoni barangay office, and Leondoni Elementary School
presented certificates and plaques of appreciation to WeLoveU.

WeLoveU will continue to provide various educational support
so that more children can pursue their studies consistently.