5th balik eskwela 2009 Hingatmonan Elementary School

CEBU, Philippines - A head teacher had given the Core Group her cold shoulder during the ocular inspection for the 5th Balik Eskwela and Fun Day Project in areas northwest of Cebu.

She literally turned her back from the team. Obviously, resorting to indifference at that time was her way of articulating how she hates to be bothered by tasks and responsibilities. In fairness, she succeeded in slapping onto our faces how much she’s tired of promises by certain charitable organizations sans sustainability; of feeding programs involving noodles fortified with malunggay and fresh eggs (whatever!) that did not find their way to all of the supposed recipients; of the culture of “substandards” from buildings to textbooks…blah-blah-blah.

But her nonchalance failed to douse that fervent desire in lead teacher Michelle Narvasa of the Hingatmonan Elementary School in the mountain barangay of Balamban. Ma’m Michelle didn’t give up hope that better facilities for the close to 200 schoolchildren would one day come to Hingatmonan.

After Ma’m Michelle expressed her interest to share in the passion of the Foundation, the Core Group went on to work with the Parents-Teachers Community Association for the rehabilitation of two classrooms. One was converted into the Hingatmonan Community Library, while the other into a room for preschoolers. This is the first time the school is offering kindergarten classes.

Parents volunteered to work as carpenters, masons and painters. They offered part of their precious time to cook meals and wash dishes and temporarily set aside watching over young children or tilling their farm. School kids fetched water and helped move the construction materials and the donated books to the rooms. With the PTCA and the barangay council headed by Florencio Pesanon, the Core Group was able to carry out the 5th Balik Eskwela and Fun Day over the weekend.

Children received new bags and school supplies with financial assistance from Operation Damayan of The Philippine Star. Teachers also had their share of supplies.

Lensman Reynan Villena captured details of the event. More of the heart-warming and heart-changing moments will be featured in our anniversary issue on July 18. — Maria Eleanor E. Valeros (THE FREEMAN)