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Last summer, after 28 years, I had the opportunity to again visit my mother’s hometown of La Carlota, Negros Occidental (Philippines). I wondered why it took me that long to visit Negros but one thing is certain, after that visit, I promised to go back as often as I can. Not because the food was exceptional, not just to catch up with relatives I’ve just met but because of the plight of the children and teachers in the barangays of La Carlota. The path I’ve chosen [in life] is working with and for children. Education,
specifically pre-school education is close to my heart as I worked as a pre-school teacher for quite a number of years. I have seen how lucky the children in private schools are with access to all the materials and supplies needed in enriching their young minds. Thus, it broke my heart to hear about the children and see a pre-school with hardly any thing inside it.
The Parish of St. Vincent Ferrer in La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental has 12 preschools. One of the schools is situated in Felicidad Farm, Barangay Haguimit, La Carlota city which is some 56 km. from the city of Bacolod (Southern Visayas). While other preschools are situated along the highway, Felicidad is not accessible by public transportation. The children either walk kilometers to reach the school site or hire a tricycle to reach the place. The parish started a program 14 years ago to serve the poor children of areas like Felicidad.
The children going to Felicidad have to walk a kilometer or more to reach the school site. Most of them are children of farm workers who can hardly pay the school fee of P20.00 per month. Other parents sell whatever produce they have in their farm for their income. Just imagine, P20.00 a month or P200.00 a school year will be able to send a child to pre-school. Because there is a shortage of funds, the teachers also have to make do with a very small monthly allowance. These teachers, who are active church members and who are from poor families themselves, persevere out of need and because of their commitment to the program. The teachers who dedicate themselves to this program receive less than what some househelp receive.
These children should have the opportunity to experience being children and for these teachers (who I believe are heroes) to be given the appreciation they merit. It is a goal that this be the start of a program that will someday be able to regularly send more children to school, give teachers what is just, give teacher training programs, provide them with enough materials/supplies not just with the Felicidad School or the 11 other schools in La Carlota but with schools all over the country. Yes I dream big.With all your help, this dream can become a reality.
Pepper Vinluan can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The children going to Felicidad have to walk a kilometer or more to reach the school site. Most of them are children of farm workers who can hardly pay the school fee of P20.00 per month. Other parents sell whatever produce they have in their farm for their income. Just imagine, P20.00 a month or P200.00 a school year will be able to send a child to pre-school. Because there is a shortage of funds, the teachers also have to make do with a very small monthly allowance. These teachers, who are active church members and who are from poor families themselves, persevere out of need and because of their commitment to the program. The teachers who dedicate themselves to this program receive less than what some househelp receive.
These children should have the opportunity to experience being children and for these teachers (who I believe are heroes) to be given the appreciation they merit. It is a goal that this be the start of a program that will someday be able to regularly send more children to school, give teachers what is just, give teacher training programs, provide them with enough materials/supplies not just with the Felicidad School or the 11 other schools in La Carlota but with schools all over the country. Yes I dream big.With all your help, this dream can become a reality.
Pepper Vinluan can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it