Schools

June 5, 2014 by feyma

My grade school classmates: Where are they now?

I was toying with this topic since it’s the beginning of another school year here. Our kids are all geared up for the first day of school. I was trying to remember the days when I was in grade school. It’s way too different now than during my time. And something caught my eyes on the FB feed: Go figure. LOL

A few days ago a former neighbor of ours when I was young posted a picture on her profile. It intrigued me because it was an old photo. When I looked at it closely I saw that half of the people on the pictures were my classmates, some were my cousins. The other half I remembered them as the brother of my classmate and others just a plain neighbor of ours. It was really good to reminisce the past. If I remember correctly there’s just like 50 of us students graduated from our grade school in our small town. A few of us went to GenSan to continue on for high school, most of my classmates stayed in the public high school near our town in Sarangani Province. To be honest I really wanted to stay there too because all my BFF studied there. But my parents had some other school in mind. Since my other siblings already studied in Notre Dame in Lagao for Girls in GenSan, I was sent there too. At first I really resented it co’z I don’t know anyone in that new school. But I made friends quickly and not regretted being sent there. Thank God.

Feymas Family and Friends from her school days

A few of my classmates in grade school were my cousins. Really, since it was a small town, I’ve known the family of almost all my classmates. One of my classmate, he is a successful teacher and became principal in that school we graduated from. Later he became head (supervisor to a few school) near our town in Sarangani Province. He was the one asked me to be a guest speaker during one of the grade school graduation. He asked me to encourage the students since I just arrived from America at that time. I did talk to the students and encouraged them to work hard and to let them know that even being a product of the small town school if a person strives hard, they can become somebody someday. He just wanted me to encourage his students that working hard really pays off. As you know a lot of the students in the small town, they get married at the young age.

Most of my classmates I heard became OFW (overseas Filipino worker). Some in the Middle East, Hong Kong, Singapore and many other places. Some are in Manila right now too. It was really shocking to hear from them sometimes. I enjoyed connecting with them. Some of them they’re shocked that I am corresponding with them. They’re thinking I won’t talk to them. My God there’s no reason for me not to communicate with them. No need to be an airhead. I guess they’ve seen enough ladies who are married to foreigners and the ladies they think they are better than anybody. That’s far from who I am anyway.

I think a few of them were also pastors. A lot of them became teachers. I’m really proud of them for that. I know for sure that, that’s not my calling. I’m not really a good teacher. LOL. Some of my classmates after our grade school graduation didn’t go to school because the parents just couldn’t afford for them to continue on to high school. So because of that they got married early. So the cycle begins again, they had baby at the young age and the baby had baby. It goes on and on. But we can’t change the world. We just had to try I guess.

To my classmates: Thank you for the friendship and so nice seeing you on the web.

Have a great day everyone!

August 29, 2013 by feyma

Something to think about!

I was asked by someone why is LiP not helping out during beginning of school here. That’s going to be June here in the Philippines. That really made me think a lot at first. But after thinking hard, I think its better not for now. We did help out before, a few years ago using our own money. I guess its not really ideal for us to be helping at the beginning of the school. Can’t really afford to do it. We just don’t want to ask here for that too. I think Christmas is good to be asking since its giving time.

Ham and Cheese

I think you probably remember that one of our readers here and of our other blogs sponsored a kid who just started her 7th grade last year. So I thought that he might just be sponsoring her for the whole year last year. I’m so thankful that the person did sponsor the girl again this year. So happy that the person continued on helping the girl. That student that the person were helping thriving to be number one in her class. She’s really a good student. She comes to our house during Sundays to get her allowance, which is sent to us monthly by this reader. Most of the time Bob and I talk with her and her mom. Just to keep up with whats going on with her.

Last Sunday while they were here. We let them try some stuff that we bought at S & R. She’s so funny when she saw the ham and the crackers and cheese and we told her to try the ham. She immediately said: You sure it’s okay to try that meat it looks raw to me. Bob and I just smiled to her and told her it’s okay to eat it right away it’s already cooked. Bob and I each got a piece of ham and ate it. So she followed what we did. She said she likes it a lot too.

While talking to some other people here that organize some charities same questions were asked why not help during the beginning of school year? I told them to be perfectly honest I am not comfortable asking people twice in a year. We are helping out some people during classes starts but not a lot since we are also preparing for our students here in the house. Some of our extra school supplies I gave them to some students that I know and in need.

But in the near future I’m going to give something to the school I graduated during grade school days. Just wanting to thank my Alma Mater for the job well done of our school there. I mean its still in need of a lot of stuff. I know even if few of us helps there at least it will improve slowly. I will try to start, hopefully others will follow too. Some of our neighbors before their kids or grand-kids also successful being working abroad they can also afford giving something there in our school. So I might have my other classmate that teaches in the neighboring town contact most of the graduates there to help out. Hopefully it will be successful though.

For you guys that support the LiP Christmas drive thank you always for being there to help out. So highly appreciated!

Mabuhay!!!

August 22, 2013 by feyma

Dear Feyma: “Question on expats who home-school”

I got an email from our reader here, his name is James. He is asking about any expats who home-school their kids. I was asked same inquiries before. Instead of answering him with I don’t know I want to ask here first instead. I was thinking not just James has the same some questions about home-schooling. I his is email below:

“Hello I have been following your web blog for years and I have a question? Do you know of any expats there in PI that homeschool their kids? Reason being I am looking at bringing my 9 year old son Sam with me to PI this fall.

The reason I am asking about Homeschool is I homeschool him here in the US but I want to look to bringing him to stay with me if his Mom will let me bring him to PI for a vacation for a month or two. I would like an idea on how homeschool there in PI that Expats do. I want to immerse him into starting him on a journey of living overseas from time to time.

Thanks and have a good day”

I am recalling who do I know that home-schools their kids here. So far the people that I know that home-school already left the Philippines. I don’t have any way of contacting them again. So when James asked me about it I immediately told him that I might make an article out from his query. Which I did now. I’m pretty sure someone from our readers experience home-schooling here in the Philippines. At least they could share here the experiences they have on home-schooling in the Philippines. They could share also the place where to get the books, pamphlets and other materials needed for it. They might also know the circle/group of parents that the kids were on the same grades levels that they can have play time/activities for their kids. Not sure if only in Manila where to get the materials. As everything here in the Philippines almost all will be coming from Manila. Hopefully availability of materials can be found on other cities in the Philippines.

Home Schooling

Maybe also go to the Department of Education, ask them if they know of a place or people that home-school kids. If they have communities that they know of that registered to the department. Do they have materials/books that specially for for home-school kids and that accredited to the department of education. I think, the department of education people have all the knowledge that we are having in our minds right now.

Maybe one other place to go and ask will be the tutorial place. So many tutorial places near the schools. I had a feeling that one of them might have the knowledge about home-schooling or they might know of somebody that home schools their kids.

I’ve heard of many actors and actresses here that were home-schooled. And hearing from them on TV they had places to go to get their materials for the semester or school year. They just didn’t indulge where to go though. With them they might have tutors that get for them.

If any of you knows or already home-schooling kids please feel free to share your experiences of home schooling kids here. I really appreciate your help for James and other people that have same question with him.

Cheers!

July 4, 2013 by feyma

“Brigada” the new requirements!

The new requirements now to enroll a kid here in the Philippines in a public school for grade school and high school are to do a Brigada. The “Brigada” or also known as Bayanihan. To work together to do something useful for the classroom or the school. It’s mostly and effort of the teachers, parents, students and member of the community. It is actually a week or 2 week long work in school. But you don’t have to work at the school the whole time. One parent or both can go there to the classroom and work there for an hour or more depending on how long you are willing to help out. I guess if ever few kids in the family goes to the school, the parents can do the brigada thing once and they can choose what grade level they want to work with, it surely depend on the parents on that.

Brigada Eskwela

With these efforts some volunteers were so attuned that they also give out or donate I say like paint, brooms, school supply, decor for the classroom, could give curtains and also helping putting them up, can give other stuff that needed there. The volunteers that help out will clean up the whole classroom inside and outside before the school starts. Parents and children will work side by side to paint the classroom or fix the chairs that’s been broken or other stuff that’s needs to be done. It also a good start to know the other parents and the teachers better. If you have some extra stuff in your house like cleaning products you can give it to the teacher-in-charge for the of used of the product.

Sending your kids to public school here it’s really similar to the States that almost everything is free. From the school tuition to the books. The teachers here would not even ask the parents for donations. They will just say that if you want to give you can, but you are not oblige to give.

Some schools they starts asking volunteers early (like the whole summer) to help out especially if lots of major repairs needs to be done like with the ceilings or some broken chair, teachers desk and bathroom leaks or smooth up the concrete walls. They also asked local businesses for assistance that will participate with the brigada.

I just heard that brigada recently when our wash lady was asking for an off day during the week for her to go for the brigada thing. She could tell that I had no idea what she was talking about, so she explained to me. Then I also asked my sister about it. Really it is cool to have it. I think they started the brigada thing during the mid 90′s to late 90′s. I’ve never experienced that when I was in grade school or in high school. It will be good start knowing the other parents especially later if your kid wants to spend the night at the classmates house. At least you already had an idea who they are with.

Feel free to share your Brigada or Bayanihan experience. School just started here, hope everyone is ready. Hope you guys had a good summer. For the folks in the West your summer just started. Have a good one there.

Mabuhay!

March 22, 2012 by feyma

Our maid’s education!

I’ve known for awhile now that our helper (Mel) has a hard time reading and understanding what she does read. I’m trying to observe her without her knowing, I don’t want to embarrass her. My nieces told me that they are helping Mel on how to read during night time before she goes to bed. They also help her try to understand what the story she’s reading is all about. I was shocked of how little knowledge she had of everything. It’s just heartbreaking that she didn’t have much schooling. How could she get ahead in life without some knowledge.

Flashcards

A week or so ago I was at our kitchen cooking. I was asking Mel about her baby and how old is her baby now? She told me that her little one is turning 1 year old soon. I then remembered hearing from my nieces that Mel had a hard time on understanding reading with just simple books. It just hit me to let her say the months of the year for me, it was just me and her in the kitchen anyway. My mouth just drop when she can’t even tell me the months of the year in proper order. I asked her of what year she finished up in her education? What grade level is she? She told me that she was in the middle of her freshman year when she quit school. I told her, I wanted her to try to study with the kids during night time. I am going to give her reading books for grade school level (lower level really like 3rd grade). I’m not trying to be mean to Mel, I just wanted for her to learn a little at a time. She showed some interest in cooking with me in the kitchen. She wants to learn how to cook Western foods. She likes making dessert too. So for now she’s learning the names of the ingredients and the names of the utensils/tools in the kitchen. She has to learn the measurements too. Really almost everything in the kitchen are new to her. It’s fun and challenging on teaching her. My patience is tested sometimes.

I asked Mel why is it that she didn’t know a lot about schooling? How did she get to freshman with the little knowledge she had. Just by listening to her, her grade level should be in the early grade school level. She told me that when she went to school, she’s mostly absent from the class. Reason she said was that they don’t have money for food everyday and for her projects. So she decided to quit and just work part time as a waitress. The money can’t really sustain because she’s also paying for her boarding house and food and gave some to her parents. While working she found a guy who frequently went to the restaurant where she worked and they dated and he made her pregnant. The parents were really devastated with that. So for now the parents let Mel work while they take care of the baby. They’ve been really good about it, even her brother helped her out with the expenses of the baby. They asked the father of the baby, I think he is giving if he can. He is out of a job now.

Mel wants to go back to school later to finish up even just high school. That’s one thing my nieces like about Mel, she really is willing to learn. She’s kind of slow but at least she shows them the willingness to learn from them. My niece Bebe made flash cards to help Mel out with the words and meanings, just simple basic words. I would really be happy if in a year or so Mel can fully help me out in the kitchen with no supervision. Her parents will be so happy too. Hopefully she can do it. We will try to help her out on that.

I know we have lots of people like Mel here in the Philippines. Sad part they are going to be married young and the cycle keeps going on and on. It never stops. Hope later on they will learn some lessons.