What we learned in DEAR Care Initiatives 2006 Fiesta Financial Report CARE Presentation
What
we learned in DEAR Care Initiatives
2006
Fiesta Financial Report
CARE Presentation
Lapis Kag Papel
In every childhood there is a moment
when a door opens and lets the future in.
— Graham Greene
The wonderful thing about childhood is that every day is a new experience. And
among the most extraordinary of experiences is setting foot into a schoolhouse
for the very first time. The magic is the same whether the rite of passage
takes place in the toniest of private schools in metropolitan Manila or in the
humblest of hamlet schools in Alimodian.
At least this is what we wish dearly for ALL children of Alimodian – that the start of their formal education is a magical experience.
Such is the economic reality, however, that many Alimodiananon families could not afford to wave their children off to school with backpacks bulging with the basic tools for reading, writing, and arithmetic.
A “Mongol” pencil costs five pesos and a roll of pad paper 10 pesos – “only” by
certain standards, but in this time of the gasoline crisis when the prices of
just about everything have skyrocketed, the otherwise pittance of an expense
presents a stark choice between food in the table and pencil to write with and
paper to write on. Needless to say, food trumps education in the daily
high-stake game of poker called survival.
Then consider this: “Department of Education data show that for every 100 children who enter Grade 1, close to 15 do not make it into Grade 2, and roughly one-quarter (24 percent) have dropped out before Grade 4.”
This schoolyear CARE starts a new initiative – school supplies assistance to first-graders. The recipients are children in the barangay schools of Ubodan and Tarug, and kids of Malamhay who are enroled in the barangay school of Gines.
CARE coordinators/volunteers MICHELLE ANN LOREDO and XIAXIA ALGER launched the
initiative on June 10 with the presentation of a CARE package to 16
first-graders in the Felix Amparado Memorial Elementary School in Brgy. Ubodan.
They were welcomed by FAMES head teacher MA. FATIMA CLARA “Ma’am Fatim” ALPES
ALDAMAR and Grade 1 teacher Ma’am FELTRIN ALIFONSO.
A CARE package consists of: plastic envelope, long brown envelope, box of crayon, pencils, pencil case, eraser, ruler, and notebooks. Because they bring lunch to school, the students in Tarug and Malamhay get a lunch box.
The program complements another initiative of CARE that is in its second year now – the Caparanga Big Brother, Big Sister Mentorship Program. The Program started last year with 10 second-grade recipients in the Central Elementary Schools; the 10 are now in the third-grade. Aside from school supplies, the recipients receive a set of uniform, a pair of shoes, and a school bag; they are expected to attend the DEAR sessions throughout the year.
Both initiatives are “modest” projects, and the number of recipients is an
insignificant percentage in the total population of schoolchildren in Alimodian.
But, as we always say in CARE, hope springs eternal. As we build on these initiatives in the coming months, we also hope that more Alimodiananons who are in a position to help in the education of their young kasimanwas will be encouraged to embark on the same or similar projects on their own or in concert with their families, relatives, or friends.
Some Alimodiananons are doing so already. This year the Alimodian Association of America (AAA) is helping seven students who are starting their first year in high school (http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/27/Alimodian_Association_of_America).
“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things,” goes one of our favorite
quotes (by Verna M. Kelley), “but just look what they can do when they stick
together.”
Yes, it is possible to imagine that a Mongol pencil and a roll of pad paper can open a door that lets the future in for a child of Alimodian.
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More photos may be viewed at: http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/25/CARE_Mentoring_Program_Distribution_of_School_Supplies
CARE thanks OMPONG ALITAO for driving Michelle and Xiaxia to Brgy. Ubodan; and FAMES teachers Ma’am FATIM ALPES ALDAMAR and Ma’am FELTRIN ALIFONSO for their warm welcome and kind support.
Bringing Hope to Malamhay
By Mariel Fleur Loredo
On April 19, 2008, Saturday morning, I woke
up with excitement though a little bit tired from packing the books and
preparing the things needed for the Malamhay trip the previous night. At last it
was happening; after many postponements, we were finally launching CARE in
Malamhay.
At around 7:30 a.m, we started loading two
boxes of books into the jeepney we rented for the trip. One box was for Malamhay;
we had already delivered one box prior to the launching. The other box plus one
set of encyclopedia were for Brgy. Abang-Abang. CARE volunteers CADOY QUIJANO,
MAIMAI AMBUT, IRIS ANN ALONDAY, XIAXIA ALGER, GRACE ALITAO, JIMBOY SALAY, Tito
FRANCIS ALMIRA, seven DEAR kids from the Poblacion -- ELLY ABIENDO, AIRA ALIPAT,
JUNE PHILIP ALIPAT, JONA TERI LEGASPI, COLEEN MAE ANDOLOY, CHARISSE JADE ANDOLOY,
and ALYSSA MARIE MELICADO – MICHELLE, and I left at exactly 8:00 a.m.
The journey was long and winding, the road
was rough, but we were filled with anticipation of what lay beyond; innocence
and joy were written in the eyes of our young volunteers as this was their first
travel to the mountainous side of Alimodian. Irish Ann exclaimed, “Indi ko guid
dya pagpalampason agud lang makasaka sa Malamhay.” For her this was the farthest
she’s been to in Alimodian. As for me, it was like traveling for the first time
again and reliving the moment when I first saw the scenic mountains though they
were dry and arid (http://alimodian.net/new_year_in_malamhay.htm).
At one point we imagined it must have been like seeing for the first time the
chocolate hills in Bohol or the Banaue rice terraces in the Cordilleras.
After 40 minutes of driving under the hot sun, our driver, Manong ERWIN, turned right into a narrow, rocky road, as if entering toward oblivion. Five minutes more and there was the civilization of Brgy. Malamhay, with a population estimated at 300 and headed by Brgy. Captain ARMEN AMOYOT. The barrio thrives on farming rice, maize, peanut, and other root crops. It has a Day Care Center, a Barangay Hall that badly needs repair, and a basketball court.
The children at the Day Care Center looked
surprised at seeing the jeepney, and the adult folks gawked at us. We dropped
off the books at the Quia residence, the temporary site of the CARE learning
resource center until the barangay hall is renovated. The Poblacion Dear kids
practiced their production number while I inspected the bookshelf that I
sponsored. The bookshelf was a sight to behold. I was amazed at and in awe of
the intricacy of the bamboo work. It was a product of true craftsmanship in
every sense of the word. I could just imagine the time spent and the skill
rendered on that piece of craft over a bottle of rum, and am proud of my part in
helping fashion it.
I went ahead to the Day Care Center and
mingled with the kids who had gathered for the program. I joked that I was
giving away candies to those who could sing some songs. Unexpectedly, a little
girl volunteered to sing, followed by another, and still another until we had
some kind of a singing contest going.
The presentation program started with a warm welcome from ANGIE QUIA, niece of CARE volunteer AMY QUIA, a Malamhaynon. The little girl spoke in halting but well-practiced English. Angie followed up her remarks with a song for us. I thanked Angie and the folks of Malamhay for their greetings. I then introduced them to CARE, what it is all about, and underlined the organization’s goal of getting children to develop a lifelong habit of reading. As a sample, I read to them a book written by Ed Young entitled “The Seven Blind Mice.” The kids listened intently to the story. After the book reading, I asked the children some questions from the book, and for every correct answer I gave them candies. I was glad that they were listening to the story since most of them eagerly and correctly answered my on-the-spot quiz.
After the reading session, the volunteers and
the DEAR kids from the Poblacion performed their dance number. The Malamhay
children participated in the presentation as well. It was a kind of a comic
relief as Maimai Ambut, their dance leader, interpreted the dance steps in their
repertoire in a funny and relaxed fashion, with descriptions like “sampay,
panglaba, sipa etc.” After their dance production, the Poblacion DEAR kids chose
who among the Malamhay children exerted the best effort in following the dance
steps. The winner was JOHN PAUL CAMAYRA, who got a special prize, the cutest
alphabet matting you can “impossibly” sit on.
Another book reading followed; this time Angie Quia of the Malamhay participants volunteered to read. She chose the book “Arthur’s Promise.” In some way Angie personified the promise of the CARE initiatives. With a little more practice and books to read, I am sure she will do well in the English language in due time. Then some children volunteered to sing; we gave them the alphabet matting and some candies for sharing their talent.
At around 11:00 a.m., we served snacks to the children. They were treated to arrozcaldo, bread, orange juice, and, to our delight, “nilupak nga saging” and buko (butong) juice.
Before we wrapped up the activities, I
reiterated to the children and the guardians who were present to take advantage
of the opportunity in enhancing their minds, stimulating their imagination, and
increasing their knowledge through reading. I stressed that the CARE books were
free and there was no excuse for them not to use them. I told them jokingly that
just as the carabao eat grass to live, the human brain needs to be fed with
information so it doesn’t shrink. They can even read a book while they look
after their carabao!
I called on Brgy. Captain Armen Amoyot, Amy
Quia, HELEN ANICO (a teacher at the Day Care Center), and Michelle for the
formal turnover of the books. The Kapitan thanked CARE and also reminded the
children to read and avail of the books they now have. We also called on the
high school students to help mentor the younger ones.
At exactly 11:30 in the morning, we bade our goodbyes and thanked once again the folks of Malamhay for welcoming CARE. On the way back, we dropped off the books earmarked for Brgy. Abang- Abang at the house of the scholar of Tito GREG AMARRA.
All in all we thought it was a successful
launching. The Poblacion kids enjoyed the trip and they were able to help out
their young kasimanwas. As for Brgy. Malamhay, we would like to think that we
left something indelible, something intangible, and yet in many ways real – HOPE
and the OPPORTUNITY to change lives
for the better through books.
_____________________
CARE thanks the volunteers and the DEAR kids, and Alimodiananons who helped them make the trip, and Kapitan Armen Amoyot and the folks of Malamhay for their warm welcome.
More
photos of the launching may be viewed at:
http://alimodian.net/photogallery/thumbnails.php?album=3
http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/21/CARE_at_malamhay_104_photos
Sprawling
in the verdant hills of Southwest Central Iloilo is the town of Alimodian, a
4 th class municipality that prides on its natural resources and productive
lands. This 25 kilometers town away from the city of Iloilo is surrounded by
towns; Maasin and Cabatuan on its East, San Miguel on its South and Leon on
its West and the Province of Antique on its North. It is traversed by the
rippling Aganan River with a land area of 14,482 hectares and composed of
51 barangays.
The town has
different soil types which are the clay loam, Luciana loam, Alimodian loam
and Umingan fine sandy. Other than these it has various lands classified as
vegetative, agricultural, residential, commercial, institutional and
agro-industrial lands, with a river, roads, open grassland and open space.
All of which has helped in the progress of the town especially in its
economy. With its stable climate, the town produces one of the best
vegetables like cabbages and broccolis. Farming as a main source of
livelihood, the town grows rice, corn, root crops, mango, banana, bamboo,
legumes and industrial crops like tobacco, cotton, abaca and others.
Alimodian's uniqueness can also be traced in its belief in the importance of education. Every household sends the children to school to learn so in return they can serve their community more with their capabilities.
This
“Excellence in Education” is provided in the various schools of the town. It
has forty-one Day Care Centers (including five ECD Pilot Center), three
preparatory schools and Kinder Schools, eight Primary Public Schools,
twenty-two Elementary Public Schools and three Secondary Public High
Schools. One of its schools, the Alimodian National Comprehansive High
School serves a tertiary education offering two basic courses on applied
electricity. Its belief in education has brought progress to the town with
its successful Alimodiananons. With their education, they have built
concrete houses for their families, help in renovating the old church, the
town plaza, built roads, bridges among others.
TOURIST ATTRACTION
The town's rich natural
resources made it a tourist destination. The Aganan River that brings
livelihood to the people, the mountains of Taruc and Balogo, with its
forests brought more serenity and security. It also has unexplored natural
beauty located on the upland clustered barangays of the town called “Seven
Cities”. It has various spots like the Agua Colognia, Tinagong Dagat, Bubon
ni Ibo, Taruc Hill, Umingan Plateau, Rice Terraces, Manipuron Creek,
Baraiton Skyline, Terated Cave, Bato Batiya, Bato Duko, Mount Colomo,
waterfalls among others. All of which is a perfect venue for hiking, bird
watching, photography, nature tripping, mountain biking, climbing and
rainforest trekking. Another is the Agony Hill which emerged from a combo of
human appreciation of nature's beauty and the amazing landscape designed by
the hills slope and topography. It also shows the Alimodiananons strong
Christian spirit, that they build the fourteen Stations of the Cross that
end upon the three crosses emulating Christ's way to Calvary. The place is
frequented by Christians especially during the Holy Week Celebration.
If you want to experience warmth and kindness from the Alimodiananons, find time to visit their town. They celebrate their feast every September 22 in honor of St. Thomas Villanova.
Source: The News Today
Meeting Angels on a Sunny Sunday Morning
By Mariel Fleur Loredo
Sunday, June 17, 2007, was
Father's Day. When I woke up on that day, my mind was just focused on cooking a
special treat for Dada, although the night before Michelle told me I had to
attend the “Recognition Day” for CARE volunteers. Little did I know that it
would make my day. I was caught by surprise when I went to the CARE Kamalig and
was welcomed with the sight of kids borrowing books, a new generation of
volunteers, and friendly, familiar faces of friends who had worked on CARE
projects for the past year.
The program started at around
10 in the morning with impromptu host FELIPE "Cadoy" QUIJANO introducing the
special guest, VISITACION "Lola Viting" STA. CRUZ. Lola Viting’s speech was
simple, yet filled with practical advice and tender words of gratitude to the
volunteers. She told the "little boys and girls" who were present to avail of
the books in the Kamalig. She also welcomed the new volunteers, mostly high
school freshmen, telling them that they were an "inspiration to the town;" that
the time spent volunteering for DEAR and other CARE projects is a good
opportunity for them to "interact with different people and learn proper
behavior in public places” – rather than spending their time on unproductive
activities. On the subject of books, Lola Viting stressed how reading can
expand their knowledge and imagination, and how better equipped they would be
when they go on to higher learning.
After Lola Viting finished her remarks, she helped Tita ZENAIDA TITULAR and MICHELLE distribute “certificates of recognition” to the volunteers who, for the past year, had processed and inventoried hundred of books; organized and managed the DEAR reading sessions, field trips, and other activities; minded the book-lending program at the Balabaw Cafe; hauled books to CARE centers; processed and packed books for barangay captains and school teachers in barangay schools; set up and staffed the Kamalig operations, among others.
This wasn’t any ordinary
recognition ceremony – Lola Viting put her personal touch to the ritual of
thanking the volunteers and giving some uplifting words we could live by. Every
volunteer who received the certificate was given a pat on the shoulder and a
handshake by Lola Viting, asked which part of Alimodian they came from, and
addressed with encouraging words such as "you are an inspiration to your fellow
youth; you are a good example to the community and you should encourage more to
join CARE." The volunteers were very happy and appreciative of Lola Viting’s
personalized “recognition”.
The funny part of the ceremony happened when they handed the certificate to HITZEL QUIA, and Lola Viting quipped, "Finally, may lalaki guid man ba!" We all laughed. She asked Hitzel where he was from, and he replied, “Taga-Malamhay.” That surprised Lola Viting, who then remarked, "Tama guid karayo ang Malamhay. Dapat ang certificate mo ipa-frame kag isab-it sa dingding agud to makita ka mga taho ang mga gin-himuan mo idya sa banwa kag rako pa guid ang ma-inganyo nga mag volunteer man. Your parents must be proud of you." We all clapped for Hitzel.
After the
certificates were handed out, we said grace and partook of the pamahaw of
spaghetti, sandwiches, and juice. While we were eating, Tita Zenaida went around
handing out white envelopes – small tokens of CARE’s appreciation of the
volunteers and the good work they had done. We were sooo happy. I, for
one, jumped with joy. It was really unexpected. Although a pat in the back and
words of thanks were more than enough, at that moment I was overwhelmed with
emotion – that someone out there appreciated our efforts in helping others here
in Alimodian, a town where all too often every bit of do-gooding is
politicized. For us, volunteers, the day recognized, without any malice, the
time we shared and the kindness we extended in our desire to make a little
difference in the lives of our young kasimanwas.
In the past year the greatest reward I have received is seeing our small library in the Plaza expand to other areas in our town, and the realization that there are Alimodiananons who have the vision and the heart to reach out to the children of our town. As volunteers we share their dream not because of any material reward or recognition, but simply because it is the RIGHT and HUMAN thing to do.
Truly, goodness is rewarded by heaven, and if you are lucky, you get to meet special angels on a sunny Sunday morning.
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Photos taken during the appreciation pamahaw for the volunteers may be viewed at: http://alimol.multiply.com/photos/album/7
Copyright © 2005 Alimodiananon Sa
Amerika. All rights reserved.