-Rita Pierson-
The sky was blue and the sun was bright after a few weeks of rain and cloudy skies. Thank God! This I thought a perfect time to answer a teacher's call of duty- that is to conduct home visitation to two of my students who were no longer attending school for the past few weeks.
Hello and a beautiful day to all my fellow Hivers in this wonderful community! In today's blog, I'll be sharing with you how my day went trying to perform my duty as a teacher and adviser to 36 Grade 10 students in my class.
It was last Monday that I sent letters to the parents of two of my male students in order to inform them of our intent to visit their son's home. And it seemed the weather understood our noble cause and cooperated with us, so together with my co-teacher we pursued our plan!
THE TARGET DESTINATION
It was about noon when we left school for our target destination- to Sitio Puthaw where my students lived. ("Sitio" in the local dialect means a territorial enclave that forms part of a barangay. Source:Wikipedia). According to a local, we asked, this little village was called "Puthaw" (which means iron in English) because the natives here in the past forged iron into plows, bolo knives, and other things made of iron for a living.
This little remote village with about 250-300 population is part of barangay Loong, Tabogon, Cebu, Philippines. (The term barangay, by the way, historically referred to as barrio is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district, or ward.) Source: wikipedia
Unlike before that we also came up here to conduct home visits that the road was muddy and narrow, it had partly been cemented now that started in 2021, not yet completed though.
On our way, we couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of nature that greeted us. Breathing fresh air and viewing the green surroundings is truly a blessing. Life in the province is indeed simple but beautiful!
Many people in this place grew different crops or vegetables for a living. As we passed by a farm, well-taken-care bitter gourd plants and tall coconut trees seemed to wave at us and I couldn't help but took a quick snap of this beautiful scenery!
Going further, other root and fruit crops were looking healthy and green as the rain happily sprinkled them in the past few weeks.
Without a doubt, it seems that the locals here still rely on farming not only for a living but also for consumption. But many residents here also make money through peddling and or selling different kinds of stuff not only in the town market but also in the neighboring markets.
THE CHALLENGE BEGINS
In order to reach farther to this little village, we had to go uphill on this narrow uncemented road riding on a motorcycle. Fortunately, it had already gone dry due to 2-3 days of no rain which made our climb going up and down there a bit smoother and faster.
However, we chose to get off as we reached the part where the motorcycle had to go down again to the pathway closer to the houses as it seemed difficult to cross!
Taking the pathway on foot, I captured a shot of this vegetable plant that the locals called "okra". Because of the rising cost of commodities, growing vegetables in a small garden in the countryside would already suffice the need for food on the table.
The quest looking for the students' houses continued but we couldn't see anyone to ask around. Further, on our way up, we came across a woman walking and so we asked if she could tell us where these certain names of local villagers were living. You know, in the countryside, everyone knows one another as long as you're a native of the place!
I was surprised to see that this local was also my other Grade 12 student who missed his classes on that day, too, to do the task his father asked him to do. Though, this student assured me he'd be coming to class the next day!
Since the pathway seemed difficult to pass through a motorcycle, we went up and down to a group of houses a little farther on foot. It was, indeed, a good exercise for us, too and, it was not bad after all!
THE ARRIVAL
Finally, we found the house! However, we were hesitant to enter the place because of the barking dogs that guarded the house! Ayoooo?!! (our call in local dialect to alert the house owner that there's someone outside the house) Ayoooo?!! As we tried calling again!
Unfortunately, only the older brother came out from the house to entertain and welcome us! Their parents were not around as well as our student. It was, then, we knew he was in another big town to work!
It seemed to us that his brother was not any more interested in coming back to school that even their parents couldn't stop him from doing so as we heard! We left the place feeling a bit sad for our student who chose labor over the school.
The Next House We Go
We were glad, this time, that the mother of the second student was home! However, her son was not around but went somewhere to have himself vaccinated against COVID-19. We heard he was also preparing himself to work so he did it.
Since both of these students were close friends and neighbors, it appeared they had decided and planned this together. The parents couldn't do anything but it seemed they already gave up on pushing their children to school!
Our goal for the home visitation program which was to try reaching out to the parents as well as our students in order to somehow bring them back to school appeared to be unachievable. It seemed that our mission today failed!
According to Bob Beauprez, "Education is a shared commitment of dedicated teachers, motivated students, and enthusiastic parents with high expectations." Indeed, if the child loses a champion, an adult who gave up on them, then bringing them to school is a lost cause!
Bringing this in mind, I just thought "Anyways, the school and we, teachers, will always stay ready to embrace them when they have already gained a strong motivation to come back in God's time!"
With our endeavor today, I felt I needed to sit for a while and feel the relaxing atmosphere to breathe in and breathe out!
This is all for today guys. I thank you all for reading and supporting my blog once again!
Until next time!