HARI Foundation, Inc. (HFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai in the Philippines, proudly formalized its funding support for Synergeia Foundation, one of the country’s innovative crusaders for quality education for children through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing last November 17, 2012 in Cagayan de Oro to underwrite its commitment to improving the access to and quality of basic education in Mindanao through its new “Hyundai Embraces Lanao’s Partnership or HELP for Education” Program.

The Hyundai HELP Program aims to engage the academe and local government to improve the quality of the system of basic education in the Lanao del Sur municipalities of Balindong, Calanogas, Ganassi, Kapatagan, Mulondo, Saguiaran, Taraka, Tamparan, and Marawi City. The program envisions making quality education accessible to all and empowering stakeholders to create safe and sustainable learning communities through training and capacity-building. Program activities include the organization and/or reinvention of local school boards; provision of learning material and facilities to enhance the learning experience of Lanao del Sur students; and training teachers, parents, school boards, and local government units in management, mentoring, and developing effective instructional material for school children.

Forging this milestone partnership in educational development were HFI President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo and Synergeia President and CEO Dr. Milwida Guevara, and partner institutions, Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan, and the Ranao Education Alliance, represented by local chief executives from various municipalities in Lanao del Sur.

“We have always looked upon education as a key driver in the growth, development, and stability of our nation,” said Ms. Agudo. “Through this new opportunity to revive the spirit of unity and synergy with our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters dedicated to education excellence, HFI will continue to aim for higher standards of corporate social responsibility by helping in the development of conducive learning grounds for our future leaders.”