Christmas in February

Posted Fri, 02/17/2012 - 12:02 by Phildhrra Luzon

 By: Ms. Faith Ramirez, Project Officer, PhilDHRRA Luzon

 
“Ate, babalik po ba kayo? Bibigyan nyo po ba kami ng bag?” was the exact words uttered by a seven year old student of Macario Arnedo Elementary School (MAES). These words kept resonating in my head after undertaking a focus group discussion and storytelling activity (as strategy for raising awareness on disaster risk reduction and management) under a School Restoration Project in Pampanga of the Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas in Luzon (PhilDHRRA Luzon).
 
After typhoons Pedring and Quiel battered the country in 2011, the low-lying barangays of Bulacan and Pampanga were submerged for almost three weeks, causing severe damages to livelihood and properties. School activities were also put on hold as classrooms and libraries were awfully soaked in mud; destroying books, school supplies, student records and other learning/teaching materials.
 
Even public elementary school students were obligated to clean up their school premises, scrubbing tables and chairs in order to remove mud and dirt brought about by floodings. Some had gone sick or were in pain, while others remain lonely and fearful of the floods.
 
On 08 February, PhilDHRRA Luzon in partnership with the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), The Asia Foundation (TAF), National Bookstore Foundation, Inc. (NBSFI) and Adarna House brought comfort and hope to weary students and teachers of MAES. Some 773 students were provided with bags and school supplies, while learning materials, like story books and supplementary books had been turned over to their library. [1]
 
Eager eyes greeted us when we arrived at MAES. Every student patiently sat on the cold floor of their gymnasium as they wait for the actual turnover activity. During the turnover ceremony, select Grade 5 students graced us with a Kapampangan medley of Ati Ko Pong Singsing, while some Grades 1 to 3 students voiced out a short story, entitled, The One and Only Earth. PhilDHRRA Luzon’s Regional Coordinator, Ms. Mags Catindig’s speech caused an astonished Mr. Tony Mendoza (MAES Principal) to lead a round of applause after hearing that a library refurbishing activity will be undertaken on 10 March in coordination with the NBFSI.
 
An excited principal shared to us his dream of elevating their library to reduce the risk of soaking and damaging again the newly donated library resources. His faculty members seemed like preschool students as they browse through pictures of storybooks from Adarna House. Some were thinking about where and how they will preserve the hard covered books and audio materials from The Asia Foundation.
 
Students, meanwhile, lined up to receive their bags with school supplies and extended to us their appreciation. It was like Christmas in a hot afternoon of February as I received manos (Filipino ritual of showing respect to elders by slightly bowing to one’s elder, taking the elder’s opposing hand and respectfully placing in to one’s own forehead) from overjoyed Grades 1 to 3 students. They all scampered to their favourite tambayan; trying out their new sharpeners with their new pencils.
 
Yes, it was exhausting. But, it was worth it as we waved goodbye to children with boundless vigor and renewed hope.
 
More library resources will be turned over on the 13th of March with support from the Peace and Equity Foundation and National Bookstore Foundation, Inc. For details on how you can help, please get in touch with Ms. Mags Catindig, PhilDHRRA Luzon Regional Coordinator (Phone: +632-436-0702 local 111; Email: luzon@phildhrra.net). More pictures are uploaded in facebook.com/phildhrraluz.

[1] Teaching and learning materials provided were based on FGDs (which includes needs assessment, impact/risk assessment, hazard mapping, livelihood assessment) with students, PTA and LGU representatives.