Converge, Caritas Manila partner to uplift underprivileged communities

Leading fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. and the lead social service and development ministry of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, Caritas Manila, recently signed a partnership agreement to help improve the quality of life of communities, provide children with better education, and give the underprivileged access to livelihood opportunities.

Converge president and co-founder Grace Uy and Caritas Manila Executive Director Rev. Fr. Anton B. Pascual led the signing of the memorandum of agreement, which officially signified the start of their partnership to assist and uplift the most vulnerable sectors of society.

Not just providing technology

"Converge is not just vested with the mission of providing technology to enrich the lives of Filipinos; it also has the mission of extending the benefits and opportunities of technology to underserved communities. Apart from being a connectivity provider, we hope that this partnership with Caritas Manila could be a springboard for more meaningful programs that will provide livelihood and social development to people needing those the most," Uy said.

For his part, Fr. Pascual said, "It is our pleasure to conclude this MoA with a fast-growing technology provider like Converge, which puts people at the heart of its business. May this agreement be the start of deeper collaboration in projects that will help alleviate the plight of the marginalized and vulnerable members of society."

The MoA signing was marked with the turnover of charity cans which will be deployed to over 150 business centers, branches, and offices of Converge. The charity cans are intended to support children and the youth in their journey to finish college.

Unang Yakap

Earlier, Converge also embraced Caritas Manila's Unang Yakap program aimed at helping impoverished expectant and lactating mothers. The program provides nutrition to mothers and their newborn for their first 1,000 days, to ensure their critical health needs are met.

As part of its Mothers' Day celebration, Converge launched the "Mula sa Nanay, Para sa Nanay" program that aimed to raise funds for Unang Yakap mother beneficiaries by selling recycled bags made from old tarpaulin materials sewn by mothers of its partner women-led social enterprise KReations.