Badjao children have been through a lot in the past 18 months, but we have some good news to share. We have two honor students - Sunshine, Grade 6, and Jackie, junior high school. Jackie has been our scholar since preschool; Sunshine, since Grade 1. Both of them are inspired by their families. They want to be able to help them out of poverty one day.
Like many others, they both struggled last year. Due to health protocols, they were not allowed to go to school but have only been receiving home assignments. It was hard to get the assistance they needed from their teachers and accessing their lessons online were costly. Despite the difficulties, these two excelled in their classes. Jackie said her determination and positivity kept her focused. Sunshine studied hard regardless of the difficulties and kept going.
We have 156 Badjao scholars enrolled in elementary, high school, and college for the new school year.
We have also extended help to other Badjao learners even if they are not our scholars. They are struggling academically. The current distance learning make it even more difficult for them. We have welcomed them in our tutorials so they can keep up with their lessons. Like our Badjao scholars, we also give them rice everytime they show up for tutorial. We are thankful for the opportunity to help those in need.
ONE-CLASSROOM BUILDING
During pre-Covid days, some of our Badjao scholars in one public school used to attend their classes in an old stock room; others did theirs outdoor or at some vacant space inside the principal’s office. The school doesn’t have enough classrooms.
We are happy to build and donate a one-classroom building for our Badjao learners. Construction began last August and we aim to complete it sometime next month. Soon, when face-to-face classes resume, a standard classroom with its own restroom with flowing water would provide a more comfortable, conducive learning environment for the Badjao students. Thank you all for your support! Together, in the midst of pandemic, we will continue to make a difference.