FundLife Proposes Community Sports Leagues to DepEd Tacloban to Empower 400+ Youth Through Sport

Tacloban City, July 4, 2025 — In a shared effort to promote inclusive education and youth empowerment, FundLife presented its Boys Community League (BCL) and Girls Community League (GCL) proposal to the Department of Education – Schools Division of Tacloban City.

The session, held at the DepEd Conference Hall, brought together key education leaders and 14 partner public schools. FundLife’s Head of Operations, Kimberly Lopez, led the presentation, which reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to using sport as a transformative tool for learning, protection, and positive engagement.

Among the attendees were Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Sherlita A. Palma, Senior Education Program Specialist Ms. Jennith II S. Gabisay, and Sports Coordinator Mr. Manolito Bolpa, who welcomed the initiative with optimism and forward-looking support.

“I can see the beauty in this project,” said Dr. Palma during the session. “It can help motivate children, especially those who struggle with regular attendance, to go to school, since they’ll have something to look forward to, such as trainings and league games.”

Tackling Realities Through Play

In many public schools across Tacloban and other parts of Eastern Visayas, adolescent learners face intersecting risks—high dropout rates, teenage pregnancy, substance use, peer pressure, and the growing threat of online exploitation. Girls are often pulled out of school due to caregiving responsibilities or early pregnancy, while boys face pressure to join gangs or seek income through hazardous means.

Recognizing these realities, FundLife developed the GCL and BCL as structured, community-rooted platforms to protect and empower vulnerable youth. By combining inclusive football leagues with life-skills mentorship, the program offers a safe and supportive environment where learners can build resilience, confidence, and a deeper connection to their education.

Reaching 400+ Youth in Pilot Phase

The pilot cycle, set to run from August 2025 to April 2026, aims to engage over 400 girls and boys from public schools across Tacloban. Activities will include weekly league matches every Saturday, complemented by values-based mentorship sessions on alternate weekends. Orientation workshops and training for team captains and school coordinators will begin in August following the finalization of a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between FundLife and DepEd Tacloban.

Throughout the presentation, DepEd officials and school representatives offered thoughtful feedback on program implementation, particularly around age groups and team compositions. The open dialogue highlighted a strong mutual interest in designing the league to reflect both educational priorities and community needs.

A Collaborative Path Forward

The sports season will culminate in March 2026 with semifinal and final matches, followed by a closing ceremony to recognize outstanding players, coaches, and schools. In April 2026, FundLife will conduct a comprehensive impact assessment and begin planning for the next cycle of implementation.

This latest engagement represents a meaningful stride in strengthening public-private collaboration for youth development in Eastern Visayas. Through initiatives like the BCL and GCL, FundLife remains steadfast in its mission to advance education through sport—creating safer spaces, inspiring greater learner retention, and unlocking the potential of every child.