Distance learning comes with its own set of challenges, one of which is the financial burden on parents and students. They may not need to spend on fare and lunch at the cafeteria but they still need money for tuition, gadgets and a stable internet connection.
Here are creative ways young people are raising money to be able to support themselves and others through school.
Hand-embroidered coin purses
Xyeanne Million, 22, wants to buy her three younger siblings a laptop and get them a stable internet connection for their online classes. She graduated from University of the Philippines Diliman last July, and is waiting for the geologist licensure examination so she could start her career.
Her siblings are Xianeya, a library and information studies student; Xyla, who is studying public administration; and Xean Lourd who is in 10th grade. One of them has started the new school year and Xyeanne witnessed how difficult it is to be using just a phone without a stable connection to attend class. The other two start school in October.
“Bilang ate nila, I want to help in any way I can since unemployed pa ako,” she said.
Xyeanne sells hand-embroidered coin purses. It takes her hours to complete each piece—at least four hours on five-letter names. “Umaabot pa the next day ’pag mahaba yung name and may design pa.”
Xyeanne can customize the design for you. A 3×4-inch coin purse costs P119 while a 4×5-inch one costs P179. She’s planning to offer embroidery art soon, too.
Modes of payment are bank transfer, PayMaya, GCash and Palawan Express. She ships anywhere in the Philippines through JRS, LBC and J&T.
Follow xyeannemillion on Facebook, @xyeanne on Twitter and Instagram.
Full-body portraits and fan art
Noriel A. Beltran, 20, a Bachelor of Secondary Education student at University of Santo Tomas, is raising funds for his studies. He also needs an iPad for his art. He does portraiture.
“I want to keep improving,” he said of his art. He spent time in quarantine developing his technique and style.
This gifted artist is accepting commissions. He does icons and portraits for P250, bust with background for P450, full body portraits for P650. He can also do fan art, family portraits and more.
Email norielbeltran725@gmail.com, follow @artbynoriii on Twitter, @artby.nori Instagram
Japanese-style portraits
DJ “Jay” Guiyab will start the new school year at Lagro High School very soon. This creative 17-year-old, who is in the science program, is passionate about art and is accepting commissions to raise money for his classes.
“My funds are running low,” he wrote on Twitter.
Jay has loved art since he was young. “My mom used to scold me because I always filled the backs of my notebooks with scribbles and drawings,” he said.
Like Nori Beltran, Jay spent quarantine working on his art. “I’m using my art to help myself during these trying times.”
While his parents hope he will pursue science, technology and engineering when he goes to college, his dream is to get into University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts.
Jay can do Asian or Japanese-style portraits for P300 and semi-realism and duotone art for P500. He also does word art for P200.
The money raised will be used for his studies, to buy food for stray dogs and for donations to #PisoParasaLaptop and other drives.
Viber 0949-3926155, follow @ArteniJay on Twitter, @Sino_ka_ba on Telegram
Dried fruits and nuts
Chae Villanueva, a student at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, is selling fruits, nuts, mixed fruits (pineapple, blueberries, cranberries, cherry plums, guava, papaya and more), mixed nuts (cashews, almonds, pistachios) and trail mix in canisters as a way to earn money to support her studies. Prices are P185 for 100 g, P355 for 250 g, P660 for 500 g and P1,230 for 1 kg.
Follow @jooswonie on Twitter
Are you raising funds for your schooling needs or for others? Tell us about it. Send an email and pictures to inquirerstudentcorrespondents@gmail.com.