Brigada Eskwela means “working together for the school.” It is also the name of a nation-wide initiative of the Philippines Department of Education. The initiative brings together people and other resources within communities to clean and refurbish local public schools in preparation for the opening of the school year. Last month, Filipino YES alumni Adzhar Nurhassan (YES ’12), Nujaima Abdurahman (YES ‘12), Aiza Dahman (YES ‘13), Shareen Mae Akarab (YES ‘14), Ben Badz Usman Gadjali (YES ’15) and Fatima Raiza Hussin (YES ‘15), in coordination with the Philippines USG Alumni Association, took part in Brigada Eskwela by volunteering at Talon Talon National High School. The alumni worked together to fix and arrange chairs and cleaned classrooms so the students would have a fresh start to their school year. The annual campaign also involves teachers, parents, students, community officials and non-governmental organizations.