Education:
Can change one child's entire future!
Your contribution:
Will provide school meals, textbooks and scholarships.
By Bruce Warren
In March of 2008, I found myself boarding a plane at San Francisco’s international airport headed to the Philippines to see a friend in Kidapawan City on the southern island of Mindanao.
It was a trip that would ultimately change my life.
In my first visit to the Philippines, I had no idea what to expect, but found so many friendly and generous people. I was invited to attend a year-end recognition ceremony at a rural primary school outside of Kidapawan City by Principal Joselito Maslog.
The Ray Buenaventura A. Sabulao Memorial Elementary School is not unlike many rural public schools in the Philippines, which do not get enough government aid for buildings or supplies through the Department of Education..
After watching the students receive awards not only for academics, but for character traits such as “Most Honest” and “Most Giving,” I found my heart melting from the kindness and generosity of these simple, humble people, who had “the American” sitting in the front row like some kind of dignitary.
Near the end of the ceremony, students performed some traditional dances and the young girls wore the most beautiful dresses with floral prints. Later, one of the teachers told me that the students made the dresses themselves just for this ceremony.
Guest speaker Clara Icdang gave an inspirational speech to the children on the value of education. It surprised me that she talked openly about how God could always find a way for those who are determined to succeed.
Icdang talked about how every mother hopes her children will have a better life some day. She described how mothers will find the best clothes they can for their children. Then, they iron them, and prepare them for the school day.
She did not mention that 60 percent of these students live in bamboo homes and these families do not own any property.
These young and enthusiastic children can benefit greatly from your donations, which will purchase food, textbooks and supplies. Many students come to school with no breakfast. Just $100 will feed 280 students one school meal a day for one month.
When given a tour of the simple classrooms, I noticed no electric fans as in other area primary schools, because RBA Sabulao School did not have electricity yet. However, since starting this project in May, 2008, donations have enabled both electricity and water to be installed.
We rely on donations for school meals, textbooks, medicine and dental exams. New projects include tuition scholarships to the local high school and future vocational training. Just $25 will pay for one year at the local high school.
The public school was founded in 2007, after Cesar Sabulao’s famiily donated land where the first classroom was built. Sabulao, president of Central Mindanao College, had the school named after his son Ray Buenaventura.
Principal Maslog, teachers and parents are so grateful for those who have given thus far, but much work remains. We invite you to visit the photo galleries and see the students, who will benefit from your generous support. We wish you all many blessings.
Salamat! Thank you!
Students share lesson materials and desk.
This teacher gives a boy cough medicine that just became available recently.
Children receive new backpacks thanks to Kiwanis donations.
Students wait in line for a cool drink of water.
