Project Himanan: School Readiness through Art Appreciation, a sustainable program centered on UN SDG 4: Quality Education, was spearheaded by John Paul D. Sapsal, a Grade 12 student (SY 2019-2020) and Our Lady of Fatima Academy of Davao, Inc.’s official nominee for Junior Chamber International’s (JCI) 53rd Search for the Most Outstanding High School Graduate (MOHSG 53) of Davao City. Derived from the Cebuano word, himanan, which means “to equip”, it aims to equip preschool children ages 3-5 of Barangay 24-C with the necessary core skills for school readiness through the development of 7 validated learning materials—4 module workbooks and 3 coloring booklets—centered on the 5Rs—Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic, aRt, and Religion through values education, and the incorporation of these materials as references in the eight-week peer tutorial session conducted every Sunday from the months of January to March 2020.

Inspired by how art played a pivotal role in his character-building and holistic development, John Paul D. Sapsal sees Project Himanan as an avenue for him to not only share his passion and love for art to the young generations of his very own community where he grew up in, but also to contribute to nation-building and advocate for quality and inclusive education, a cause he feels strongly connected with.

Through the collaborative effort between the Project Himanan team, the Our Lady of Fatima Academy of Davao, Inc., Barangay 24-C Council, its other esteemed partners, and benefactors/donors with magnanimous hearts, Project Himanan was culminated and wrapped-up with flying colors.

Finally, Project Himanan is one of the recipients of JCI of Davao’s special citation for project completion, as mentioned in the recently-held virtual culmination program of MOHSG 53, with John Paul Sapsal as one of the Top 10 declared winners of the prestigious search.

With Project Himanan, let’s make the world more colorful by touching the hearts of the young ones through art — one child at a time!