Over Thanksgiving preparation I was talking to my niece Bebe. She was helping out on cooking on some of our food. I was asking her about her younger sister (Sahara) who just graduated her BSED (Bachelor of Science in Education) a year or so ago. She now teaches in the remote area of our province in Sarangani. Bebe’s been mentioning to me about some of the indigenous students of Sahara, you know living in the remote area, some of those kids never been to the city. So my niece took one of her student to the city with her to buy some school supplies and eat at the fast food (Jollibee). The student was just in awe upon seeing the big malls and buying the school supplies with huge selections for her to see. Honestly I really wanted to see the reaction of those kids myself. It’s priceless moments.
Upon hearing of Sahara’s students story, my kids wanted to give something. Aaron had a box of chalk that he had and just sitting in the cabinet, he told his cousin Bebe to give that to Sahara. Also my kids had a good selections of books that they collected over the years, some were brought from the States and some we bought here in the Philippines. They are books about science, history, reading material, many kinds animals and a vivid pictures, cars and trucks and many others. A lot of the books really have good pictures. One things Bebe mentioned that some of those kids have a hard time reading even though they’re already in the 5th grade. Some can’t even recognized the planet on the solar system, and some animals and vegetables. I’m sure my niece Sahara will be happy seeing that the books we’re giving to her. The books will be helpful to her students with a good pictures for them to see.
I really must give it to my niece and her co-teachers. They really have the patience and dedication. To go to that place that they’re assigned to teach, first they will ride a truck (like a military type) from the main town for 2 hours, then get off the truck (No access anymore of any ride there) only by walking to go to the destination where the school’s location, so they had to walk for at least 3 hours. Luckily one of the high up people there provided the teachers with board and lodging. Some parents gave food to the teachers like live chicken and good kind of rice. Somehow they have good rice plantation there. For groceries the teachers can buy at a small sari sari store there, it’s operated by one of the parents of the students. Really the place has clean air and it’s peaceful. Problem no cell phone signal, and no electricity.
Can you imagine some of their students would walked a few kilometers to be in school? They must have to start walking early to be on time in school. My niece she usually comes home to her parents house like twice a month. The long walks is really a killer. The place is not on a flat land, they have to walk through mountain terrain. Even with the long and hard walk Sahara told Bebe that it’s really a fulfillment for her to teach those kids and that they learned from her. She said even if she will be assigned there for 5 years she’s fine with it. She will sacrifice for those kids. Those kids are also eager to learn from her and her co-teachers. Kudos to them.
Really I have a lot of nieces that’s a teacher in profession. They also were assigned at first in the very remote area of the province. Then later move down to the nearest town where my family lives. I could see the fulfillment on their faces that they can make a difference to those kids from the mountains. I’m proud of them for that.
Many thanks to all the teachers for the sacrifice!
What makes that kind of sacrifice worth it is the eagerness of the students to want to learn.
So true PapaDuck. That’s what also my niece said.
Always good to see you here. Take care!
My wife lived a 3 hour walk into the mountains on Negros from the major town. They had a primary school in the village but for high school it was lodge in the local town and walk home for the weekends. Kid in the west don’t know they are born, god help them if mom’s SUV breaks down and they have to walk 1/2 mile.
Hi Gary Dadds – Your wife’s town is similar to ours in my hometown. The high school is quite a ways from our house. But to those native people that lives a ways from our town they had to stay in a lodging house or a family near the high school in the main town.
I’m like you I wonder what would the city kids do if they have to walk a half a mile or so? Or if they don’t have cell phone coverage? That will be interesting to know.
Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a great day!
Very enjoyable story. And certainly very admirable to willingly serve others at a cost of time to be with your own family, etc. Hats off!!
Hi Ron – Thank you. Definitely a big salute to them for the sacrifices.
Nice to see you here. Cheers!
What you described, Feyma, is sort of like life on the remote island that my wife was born on. They now, however, do have electricity from 6 PM to 1 AM. They still don’t have running water. But unlike Cebu City, or Manila, no one lives in a filthy alley way.
Few people will ever understand how difficult life is for the mountain people or those that live on remote islands. Everyone should go there to see how tough daily life can be. Guaranteed they’d stop complaining.
My wife says they don’t have any Christmas presents but they do have the Christmas spirit. What a treat it would be for them if Bob went there and had his Santa show. The kids would never forget Bob. Each year they’d wait in anticipation of his return.
Rusty
Hi Rusty – I grew up similar to your wife’s lifestyle. Same as your wife, our life were easier compared to the native people. Those people grow up on the deep mountain and no comfort, but they’re still smiling.
*** My wife says they don’t have any Christmas presents but they do have the Christmas spirit. *** — I can relate to that. We’re just happy to be around our families.
*** What a treat it would be for them if Bob went there and had his Santa show. The kids would never forget Bob. Each year they’d wait in anticipation of his return. *** — Honestly I wish we could go to the mountain with SantaBob. I really want to see those kid’s faces. It would be a priceless moments. Hmm, something for us to think about though for the next Christmas. Awesome idea…
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. Highly appreciated!
My wife is a teacher too, in a city. My impression is that the hole society is very dedicated about school and that teacher have a lot of status in Filippines.