It has been a joy to see our Mangyan tribal students grow deeper in christian values and stronger in education each year. Of the seven students who completed Grade 10 last year and are pursuing Grades 11 and 12 in other schools, two of them are in the honour roll. This school year, we have five students who have completed Grade 10 and will likewise pursue further education. As of now, we offer classes from Grades 1 - 10 due to limited resources and classrooms. Our goal is to open Grades 11 and 12 TESDA classes (i.e. skill-based education supported by our Dept of Education) in the area of Agriculture, Cosmetology, Baking and Culinary/Restaurant Management wherein several of our teachers and school staff have much experience. We will also provide livelihood opportunities in these disciplines for our graduating students in order to give them gainful employment as well as provide sources of funding for the school. And we would not be able to accomplish this goal without your continuous prayers and generous support!
Last Christmas, the dream of every student to visit and dine in Jollibee (a popular Filipino fast food chain) for the first time became a reality through the kind sponsorship of one of the executive officers of the company. Our board members offered their vehicles to transport 80 students and 14 school staff. We had the place all to ourselves. What a Christmas treat for all!
We had our first school field trip to the electric company and the Municipal Building last January. The students were fascinated to learn about Power Generation and Distribution. At the Calapan Municipal Hall, the students walked in in awe at the expanse and grandeur of the building. There they learned about the different local government functions and how they serve the needs of the municipality.
In February, we had our first Soccer Camp sponsored by a few students from Faith Academy, an international school based in Manila. In three days, our elementary students and high school boys and girls were taught how to play soccer and how to be practice good sportsmanship. Many demonstrated their skill in the game during the practice sessions.
The culmination was a soccer tournament between two high school teams with the trainers. It is worth mentioning that our students played barefooted just like they do in basketball. Needless to say, the Faith trainers were astounded and thoroughly impressed!
In April, the high school students had their first spiritual retreat and baptism. Our speakers were our very own board members who are also pastors in their local churches. At the end of the retreat, the school board and teachers prepared a candlelight alfresco dinner for all the students as an expression of how our God loves and cares for them. It was truly a night to remember.
This school year ended with five students completing Grade 10 and eleven students graduating from elementary or Grade 6.
We invited the parents to attend the Recognition/Graduation Day, specially those new to the school. Given that our tribal families live in remote areas in the mountains where they walk 10-15 hours to reach us, we provided overnight accommodations and meals for the
m. The students prepared a wonderful program with songs, poems and speeches honouring their parents, their teachers, the school workers and their co-students. They expressed their deep gratitude for their genuine love, concern and tireless support through the years. It was difficult to hold back the tears of joy and pride as we marvelled over all that the students had learned and achieved the past year.
A for the parents, never did they imagine that their children could accomplish a higher level of education and moral character. It was a day of celebration, of confident hope for a better tomorrow for all of them.
