Philippines, 2009

An Unsafe Walk to School
Last year, Angelica, a second grader from the Pulong Visaya community of the Philippines, had to have appendectomy surgery. But this year, life is even tougher; she has to walk two miles to school every day. There is no transportation for the 45 elementary students, nor for the 16 students to the high school 8 kilometers away. Most drop out.

Angelica’s parents, Edna and Boyet, take turns walking Angelica to school to be sure she gets there safely. “Angelica is not strong,” says her mother. “She needs care after her appendectomy.” Even sending her with older children worries them. The students have to walk through heavy rains at times, and some have drowned in the creek when taking short-cuts.

A Poor Community
But walking with Angelica takes valuable time from the parents’ earning time as fieldworkers.

Edna and Boyet moved here from Manila where they met in a clothing factory. Life was difficult in the city, so they moved to Pulong Visaya and built a 25-square meter house with a dirt floor, stove in the ground, and sleeping area with a bamboo bed. They earn $38-$51 month from farm work. Odd jobs like house cleaning services can buy a few medicines and school supplies. Families with many children can earn more from their children’s labor, but Edna and Boyet only have fragile Angelica. And this is the inheritance they wish to pass on to her: an education.

The village of 55 households looked down upon the non-Visayans because they had a different dialect, had no local relatives, and ate different foods. But the Visayan residents are also poor farm workers, and there are no basic facilities except electricity. The whole sub-village is disregarded by outsiders.

Fortunately, with the involvement of Outreach International, a community group was created. “It pulled us out of our cliques and united the community. We are now discussing our issues,” says Edna, a group officer.  “We’ve created a day care center, built latrines and water pumps, and are steadily improving the village. In place of discrimination is admiration. We receive guests here, asking how we accomplish things. The Mayor even visited our sub-village. He wants to make Pulong Visaya a Model Village.”

Making Space
So the thought of having their own vehicle to transport children to school did not seem an impossibility. The group agreed to a plan paid by community members with a credit line and payment schedule. Edna saved group funds by creating inexpensive day care kids’ uniforms. Smaller kids sit on older children’s laps, so there are no second trips. The group expanded markets for milk drinks, frozen goods and basic commodities transported by bus during other trips, generating a net income of $479 the first year.

But most important, now 61 students, including Angelica, have a ride to school. As a result, she and other children are safe, and there were no high school dropouts last year.

“We are still poor, but people look at us with high regard. Now we have a space in people’s minds!” says Edna.