While some children are enjoying their studies with a huge amount of money on their pockets, nutritious food on their lunch box, energy drink on the side pocket of their bags, beautiful clothes and shiny black shoes that made them look tidy and neat, and with the addition of school service, many are experiencing difficulty to earn their education. Is poverty can hinder the success of a learner? The answer is “NO”. Many Filipino children are poor, but they are rich in patience and perseverance. They make learning possible in their own ways. They may be lack of learning materials like papers, pencils, and books, but the knowledge enough to understand every tough situation. They might be walking a mile to reach the school, but not the ability to reach their dreams. Some may be neglected by their own family, but they are not losing hope. Some may be victims of bullies, but not arrogant as those rude. Some may be exploited and barged by evil-minded people, but never been like those people. Some may be physically weak, but they are mentally vigor, emotionally stable, and spiritually guided.
Do you remember the street vendors who are very good in Mathematics? They learned the technique on getting the square root of a number on the happy-go-lucky-guys of University of Santo Tomas. While they are on the street, by standers are giving foods if they can answer every question they will ask. To their fortune they will be able to give the correct responses. With this situation, children show courage and determination in order sustain their needs as well as in educating themselves. There are also some children who are working to support studies. In spite of their young body, they are eagerly doing their tasks even though it is not appropriate for them.
In a documentary televised on GMA News TV, IJuander program with the episode title “Sako sakong Pangarap”, Shane Belledo, a native of Abra, is working on their neighbor by cleaning and polishing the floor to earn money for her to buy notebooks. This young lady, who happened to be the first honor of their class, has to go in the river. Shane, together with her friends needs to get sand in the river by digging it using shovel or spade and let it dry on top of a stone. When the sand is dry, they will put it on a sack and will walk for some kilometers while carrying it to sell on a buyer waiting on the barrio. On the same episode, Bugoy and his friends has to clean mussel at the Navotas Fish Port to have an amount enough to buy his new school uniform. They are paid based on the sack of mussels they cleaned. Sometimes they need to be in the water to get the mussel, because this will guarantee extra amount on their part. With his work, he can also give money on his parents to support his siblings.
With the given scenarios, children pursue their studies despite adversities of life. With this, the government should focus not only in implementing new curriculum, but also the assurance that this program will benefit the less fortunate learners, those who are working, and those who are residing in far-flung areas. Children must be given assistance whether materials or financial in order for them to support studies, because an empty stomach cannot think well. We have to remember that a child is always a child, not a man or a woman who can work every day. Parents should do their part and never let their children work for them, because children are not yet parents. On the same way teachers should identify the needs of their learners, because as second parents students trust them.
By: Limuel L. Caña | T-I | Mariveles National HIghschool
