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EJ Matela Reports: Public Elementary School in Davao del Sur Receives Books.
EJ Matela is Program Director for Mindanao Land Foundation (Minland) - a Move On Philippines Partner in Community Development (Mindanao-based) - Posted: June 8, 2005, 10:54am (EST) pm.
We delivered the books and other educational materials yesterday. We however were not able to check our emails before leaving for Apolandia as we left early - hoping real hard that it wouldn't rain. And thank God it didn't as the roads were really bad and uphill at that. Took us 3 hours of travel from Kidapawan to reach Apolandia but it was a very pleasant experience. The DepEd people and the Apolandia community were very accommodating (and everybody was sending their regards to Dondon - Supt. Boy Gomez, Olive of DepEd, Mr. Hugo, Mr. Cabalsi, TIC Delos Reyes, Mr. Virgilio Abalos the Deputy Brgy Captain, and many others).
Everyone was very happy and excited when we laid the books on a table for display and scrutiny during the turnover. I can't put in words the joy that exuded from the children as well as from everyone else present.A short turn-over program was conducted. The message from Move On Philippines was read to the delight of the teachers and pupils earning their warm applause (no kidding). The books and educational materials were then officially turned over to School-in-Charge Valeriano Delos Reyes. An acceptance message was delivered by Mr. Delos Reyes after the turn over was made official.
Everyone had a grand time inspecting the gift to Apolandia Elementary School by Move On Philippines. Aside from the books, the plastic courier bags used to pack the encyclopedias were also appreciated by the teachers. They expressed plans of converting these packaging materials into school bags for children who do not own any. That's a remarkable attitude and a showcase of creativity and resourcefulness. Then teachers led the children in chanting "Thank you Move On Philippines" many times.
After the turnover program, the books were brought inside the small school library. District Supervisor Cabalsi challenged the teachers to really maximize the use of the books as these are hard to find and harder to acquire. He reminded the teachers that the initiatives of NGOs and other benefactors would be useless if the books would not be used.
The children remained ecstatic upon coming back to their classrooms. Classrooms were divided into two (from their original sizes) to accommodate all pupils in the different grade levels.
I'm attaching the photos we took yesterday. We apologize though that this set is pixilated.
Hope everyone continued to be showered with blessings.
Best regards,EJ Matela
