Adopt-A-School: In the Heart of a Teener
Adopt-A-School: In
the Heart of a Teener
Let me take you to an account relayed to me by a teener whom I will call “ hearty friend”. This story dates back five years ago when he
was still a student at Capiz National High School.
A group of YES-O officers
of Capiz National High School went on an immersion in the hinterlands of one of
the NPA-infested towns of Capiz. Jamindan is 54 kilometers away from Roxas City. The immersion site was 16 kilometers away
from the town of Jamindan. The group traversed through steep mountain roads to
reach the site for the tree planting activity which was part of the
project, “Green Philippines Program”
(GPP) of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. At first visit to the place, the group felt sad and helpless at the sight of hectares
and hectares of denuded forests. On site, one can just imagine the damage the
situation can possibly bring. And so, it
became easy for the group to commit to the adoption of the place as their Tree
Planting site.
On further inspection of the site, the group came across Ubog
Primary School. From the stories told,
the situation of the students was depressing.
The second visit brought mixed and even more unexplainable feelings. It was no longer the environmental damage that
upset the group but the dire poverty that caused the people to cut down trees
and make charcoal for a living. The
emotion grew more intense when the group knew that the little schoolchildren of Ubog Primary
School who came to welcome them at the site woke up at four o’clock in the
morning just to be there on time. Much
to their surprise, the pupils have to
walk long hours to attend school
everyday. Looking at them, they didn’t
have decent clothes to wear. Some did not
even have slippers on. This sight brought tears to some students and a realization that they are
luckier to be able to live a comfortable life in the city and avail of quality
public education. From the experience, an awakening dawned that something must be
done.
“Hearty friend” was challenged, “What can a 15-year old student
like me do?” He cowered at the thought
that he may not be able to do something.
On one hand, he was braced by the
conviction that big things come from small things. That is, if he can do even a little thing,
that little thing can grow big.
When “Hearty friend”
heard about the “Adopt-A-School” Project which his group is about to get
into, he readily volunteered to join in.
For him, this is now the opportunity he was looking for to do that
little thing he was pondering upon. He believes that with the help of his teachers and fellow officers in the YES-O, they can do what
they had to do. Their adopting a school is
one way of ensuring that the schoolchildren will grow intellectually capable so
that later on they can make use of their education to improve themselves and
free them from the shackles of poverty.
Adopting a school was no easy job. However since the group was
working for a noble cause, support and help from parents, teachers, students and some concerned people, the
project was materialized.
The work is magnanimous.
The challenge is great. The adopted school was 60 kilometers away from the
city where the student-volunteers live.
The site of the school is not even accessible to public
transportation. It is reached by trekking
through narrow and steep mountain trails.
Not only was the road difficult, the place was dangerous considering
that it is an NPA-infested barangay. The
group had to be escorted by the members of the Philippine Army to reach the
place.
Adding to the challenge was the lack of logistics. The students who are dependent on their parents are
not capable of financing a project. They come from a public school, so financially
they cannot expect much.
But who can stop a person whose demand is to help others? The group was
motivated by the conviction to serve and be of relevant help to their
community. "Service above
Self", this
is also something “Hearty Friend” learned from being an officer of the Rotaract
of Rotary Club-Metro Roxas, R.I. 3850.
For him, the leadership call was
already rung, and he must respond to it.
The time is now!
“Education is central to alleviating poverty. With proper
education and training, we can empower the young generation to be successful
and productive citizens”. These are
inspiring words from then Vice-President Noli de Castro, a man who himself braved
through hardships and difficulties, yet, ended up to occupy the second highest
position in the country.
Like the honorable gentleman from Mindoro, you and I believe
that education is a key to alleviating if not eradicating poverty. It is an instrument by which man can muster
resources to propel the wheels of change and realize development. No one can fathom the strength of a person in
need. As Publius Syrus said, “necessity
knows no law, except to conquer”. A man
who is in dire need of something is a bombshell to reckon. Therefore, poverty is not a reason not to
succeed, nor is it an excuse not to be educated.
Education is not the sole concern of the government nor a
private concern of parents. Education is a collaborative undertaking of
parents, government and the private sector. Adopt-A-School Program is the
government’s answer to alleviating the poor conditions of public schools which
house majority of the country’s school population. Like the thousands of depressed
children especially in remote barangays in the country - distance, inclement
weather, lack of transportation, insufficient food, clothes and other personal
things - could not deter them from
getting the best education available for them.
These children need something more than food, clothes and a decent home.
These children need to conquer ignorance so as to win the battle against
poverty. The school is their comfort
zone that gives them the assurance that there is an end to their dire
situations.
A poor man may only be financially deficient, but he is not
stripped of skills and the conviction to succeed and be productive in the
end. He can be capable of doing
something. All he needs is to be
mentored and directed towards the path of fulfillment.
Where else can a person hone his talents and skills? The school is the best institution to unfold,
discover, and utilize a person’s knowledge and skills to emancipate him and his
family from the threshold of poverty. A
school is one institution where there is no limit to what a person can achieve
regardless of financial and social status.
Benefactors to the Adopt-A-School Program have nothing to lose. What little they can
give can translate to a big step to make education accessible to the less
privileged. One does not have to be poor
to understand the poor. Likewise, there
is no sense in blaming the government for the inadequacies of better facilities
in public schools. What one only needs
is the conviction to help overcome the challenges of poverty through
education. There are ways to do it – material
or financial donations or simply a committed and honest service where help is
most needed.
I was touched at the sense of responsibility shown by my “hearty
friend”. And so, let me end my piece
with what this young fellow gained from his Adopt-A-School experience. “At a
very young age I realized that I will lose Nothing if I share SOMETHING. I believe
that I have even dignified myself by
helping others. From this little thing I
did, I further found my worth as a person and as a citizen of the
Philippines. It was an accomplishment
for me. It made me more of a man than
just a young 15 year-old boy”.
By : Mrs.
Hally B. Andrada
MT
II, Social Studies
Capiz
NHS
Comments