Library and school ferry boats

On tiny islets in the Philippines, young children were needing to cross a two-kilometre stretch of water to get to school each morning. The same journey waited for them at the end of a long day of learning.

Sailors' Society stepped in and worked with the local community to build two ferry boats to get the children safely to and from school, on time and dry.

Following the success of the school ferry boats we built a library boat to ensure children on these islets had access to books. The boat pulls up close to the shore and a small library hub is set up on the sand.

The pandemic forced schools around the world to close. Home schooling was an even greater challenge in remote places like these islets, without any internet. So we repurposed the ferry boats to take work and books to the children, ensuring their schooling could continue.

"Lack of internet access means the education gap is becoming even wider for children in the most deprived areas of the Philippines, so we urgently needed to offer something to support them. These books have been the only way these children could continue any kind of education once their schools were closed."

Gavin Lim, Regional development manager for Sailors' Society in Asia

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