It took a week for the floodwaters to subside so we could get to Lacaron Elementary School in Dao. The roads were muddy and slippery in some areas and thanks to our driver we got there safely.
The children were well behaved and quiet. They each received a notebook and pens from Balay ni Charie. They were a little shy raising their hands when I asked them to spell some words and write them on the blackboard. But they were all delighted with the prizes for each correct spelling - crayons, scissors, sharpeners, pencil cases with pens, pencils, erasers, and rulers. First graders were asked to spell boy, girl, cat and jam. Third graders were asked to spell family, friends and school. Fifth and sixth graders were asked to spell Philippines or Republic of the Philippines. It was delightful to see the focus every child gave to the word they were asked to spell.
Teachers and staff at Lacaron Elementary School
The teachers treated us to early lunch with adobo, soup, balut and kutshinta (a Pilipino "kakanin" and a specialty of Lacaron). We were famished after distributing school supplies to about 250 children. But it went smoothly, thanks to the principal and teachers for facilitating the event.
I am grateful to all the people who donated school supplies and who continue to support Balay ni Charie including Diana Acas and her family and friends, Rosemary Driscoll, Leda Albar, Ditas Fuentes, Ray Wong and Bock Loo.
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Images by Charie
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