Summary
Highlights
Students of Burgos East Elementary School endure daily hardships, including crossing dangerous rivers and trekking through muddy mountains for an hour, just to reach school. This journey is particularly challenging after a typhoon, where slippery terrain and swollen rivers make it even more hazardous, often leading to broken slippers.
Upon arrival, teacher Sir Mike helps students clean their hands and attend to their wounds, as they are often soiled from their journey. Marvin, a ten-year-old Kinder student, is highlighted; he is the oldest in his class and frequently absent due to family responsibilities like caring for his younger siblings. His feet are covered in wounds, and he shares a single pair of slippers with his brother. The teacher notes that many children in this community stop schooling early to work, leading to a high dropout rate.
Sir Jun, another dedicated teacher, is concerned about the dropout rate, especially one of his brightest students, Aquino, who has been absent for three months. Aquino, a consistent top student, is found herding carabaos. He admits he prefers school but feels obligated to help his family. Similarly, Ricky, another student, has been absent for two weeks to work and support his family, who are battling tuberculosis. Both boys express a desire to study but feel trapped by their circumstances.
Sir Jun's persistence pays off when Ricky returns to school after two weeks. However, Ricky later confides that his family pressures him to work, threatening to scold him if he doesn't contribute, telling him to just drop out. Despite this, he still dreams of an education, understanding its importance.
To encourage attendance, mothers and teachers cook free lunch. In school, children momentarily forget their hardships. Annually, over a million Filipino children drop out due to poverty. Teachers like Sir Jun, despite no additional pay, remain committed to their oath: to educate every child, regardless of their background or circumstances. Their dedication, coupled with the children's will to learn, keeps hope alive amidst overwhelming challenges.