Reaching across the digital divide: Converge brings robotics, coding to Oriental Mindoro grade schoolers
AS THE PHILIPPINES accelerates toward an increasingly digital future, the gap between the technologically empowered and the marginalized threatens to widen. Recognizing that true digital democracy requires more than just infrastructure, leading technology provider ConvergeICT Solutions Inc. is stepping in to build a digitally ready generation by inspiring young, under served Filipinos to embrace STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics),innovation, and emerging technologies.
This June, Converge took a significant step in this advocacy by launching its youth-oriented tech literacy program, “Tech For Good: Code the Future, Build New Paths.” The pilot implementation was carried out in Oriental Mindoro, powered by a strategic collaboration with its long-term NGO partner, Stairway Foundation Inc., and the innovative software research and development company, LAYERTech Labs.
From telco to techco: A strategic evolution
For Converge, this corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative supports its broader evolutionfrom an internet service provider into a technology company that aims to lead innovations forthe good of the Filipino people and the country.
“This year, we’re very happy to level up our collaboration with the Stairway Foundation,especially as we move from being a telco to a techco. We want to use technology for the goodof all, so we endeavored to reach the students of Oriental Mindoro to help them become familiarwith new technology,” shared Jay-Anne Encarnado, Converge VP and Head of CorporateCommunications and Public Relations.
Encarnado emphasized that bringing in LAYERTech Labs was a deliberate move to provideyoung minds with basic knowledge in software programming and robotics—the essentialbuilding blocks for more expansive innovation.
Democratizing tech with open-source solutions
LAYERTech Labs, an Albay-based software and R&D company, shares Converge’s strongadvocacy for digital democracy. They view early introduction to advanced technology as acritical equalizer for disadvantaged youth in the digital age.
To ensure sustainable learning, the program utilized bipedal robot kits software-engineered using an open-source programming language. This strategic choice removes the financial”barrier to entry,” allowing students to continue exploring and innovating long after the initialtraining concludes.
The workshops were tailored to reach specific groups, prioritizing the boys of the Stairway Foundation and Puerto Galera Academy, followed by a dedicated session for the girls of Baclayan Mangyan School and the Foundation.
“Our goal is to bring technology to where it is needed the most,” noted Frei Sangil, Presidentand Founder of LAYERTech Labs. “We strive to make solutions that do not aggravate existingsocial inequalities.”
Hands-on empowerment in the community
The success of the #TechForGood program lies in its grassroots approach, ensuring that localleaders are equipped to sustain the education.
The workshop is broken down to three parts:
● Train the Trainers: The program kicked off with a facilitators’ training for Stairway officersand coordinators from the Baclayan community. By assembling and coding the robotsthemselves, these community leaders were empowered to guide the students in thefuture.
● Building from Scratch: On the second and third days, students engaged in rigorous,hands-on teamwork. They spent several hours physically assembling the robots fromthe ground up.
● Bringing it to Life: Following assembly, students connected their robot circuits tocomputers, applying simple coding models to bring their creations to life.
“Ang partnership po na ito ay under sa ICT Program ng Stairway kung saan ako at mga ICTvolunteers dito sa Baclayan community ay nagtuturo sa mga bata ng basic na paggamit ngcomputer,” explained Jonalyn Onde, Baclayan Development Officer at Stairway Foundation.She noted that these efforts are crucial for preparing students for high school and making themcompetitive alongside peers from more privileged schools.
A deepening alliance for child advocacy
The Oriental Mindoro robotics workshop is the latest milestone in a deepening relationshipbetween Converge and Stairway Foundation.
Collaborators since 2023, their partnership initially focused on providing connectivity and digital enablement—through donated tablets and computers—while actively protecting children against the Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC). Over the years, this alliancehas matured to encompass a wider umbrella of digital advocacies, including data privacyprotection, defense against online fraud, and now, bridging the educational digital divide throughrobotics.
By investing in the minds of the youth today, Converge is proving that building a digital nation isas much about coding a brighter future for the next generation as it is about laying down fiber-optic cables.
