My heart is moved... Students have to swim to get to class...
By chiyochan
@chiyosan (30184)
Philippines
June 9, 2012 7:44am CST
i am currently watching a local tv show, and it is shown every saturdays here in the Philippines. They feature real life stories of people and they often send their life's story in the form of a letter (most of course are done through research and all). I usually try not to watch and skip the stories because almost all the time i would be crying over the stories!
But this time i watched the story because there were kids in the story. So here goes... The family lives in an island in the Philippines, to get to school, they had to travel in a small boat for 45 minutes because the school is in the next island... anyway to cut the story short.. my heart is moved because of the story of the children who are very eager to study and finish school... there came a time they can no longer ride their boat because it is with holes already and the kids only ages 7 to 12.. they had to swim about 250 to 300 meters of sea to get to the island... i am really almost crying and felt how lucky i was to have parents who cared for me and provided for me and who had enough to send me to school comfortably... I am lost for words as to how these kids are... as they seemed very determined, very persistent to finish their studies, while some of us who have access to school very easily just forgo the chances and would even not go to classes, etc.
1 person likes this
14 responses
@girl_thinking (1959)
• Philippines
9 Jun 12
Hi Chiyosan, it is normal that we sympathies with these situations but it doesn't have to stop there. Have you tried participating in outreach programs? You would help so many people by doing so. 
We already know that our government is corrupt and there is nothing much that we can do in that department. It is really up to the politicians' conscience on how and when they want to change for the better. We cannot change people but we can do something in order to change situations.
I believe you have a kind heart. I hope you'll find your way how to extend help to people in need. 
We already know that our government is corrupt and there is nothing much that we can do in that department. It is really up to the politicians' conscience on how and when they want to change for the better. We cannot change people but we can do something in order to change situations.
I believe you have a kind heart. I hope you'll find your way how to extend help to people in need. 1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
Yes it is true what you said... it always is up to us.. what we can do and what we choose to do. i have started in my own little way... not to boast about it but i am not able to go to such places, and what i am able to afford now is to send a child to school by means of other program available - and i took one child in world vision. She is a sweetheart and she sends me Christmas cards too, and reports to me her school stories (through the world vision). =) It feels great and we started when she was only in grade 1, now she is already on grade 4.. i saw her pictures too and she has grown!
i think when i can afford more, i would give... its just that yes it feels still a burden not being able to do more. i wish i had more resources, i only earn a living by being an employee...
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
11 Jun 12
Yes it was a very legitimate organization with lots of local celebrities sending children to school through this program. I heard Krsi aquino spends 500K a year for this organization. so i would think she sends about fifty children to school! =) Its small amount to help, if you would think of it.. just lessen the milk tea and all... ha ha sometimes we always got something to spare anyway. =)
And Yeah, i agree with you. Sometimes being helpful comes from one's heart. If your intention is to be popular and to be known, then i guess the politicians would initiate but theirs would happen when the election is near.. and there is never the times where they will continue to help these kids out of their love for them... sometimes you just can't teach a person to be good at heart - you know what i mean. :D
Hope you do find time to go to their website and see how you can help. they have one time sharing if you know you still can't afford a regular kid be sent to school. :D
@girl_thinking (1959)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
Wow chiyosan! That is very admirable. If all regular employees would get one child to send to school, it would start making a big difference! Just imagine, what more if all the powerful politicians out there send at least 10 kids to school (even just to a public school)!
I am going to check World Vision. I've heard about it before, I'm just not sure where
If all regular employees would get one child to send to school, it would start making a big difference! Just imagine, what more if all the powerful politicians out there send at least 10 kids to school (even just to a public school)!
I am going to check World Vision. I've heard about it before, I'm just not sure where 
@karstine29 (694)
• Philippines
11 Jun 12
Yes, I agree to the both of you. There are really things that we should be thanked of for how many years now. But we only appreciate it once in awhile. 
I do hope that the story could inspire us to work hard so that we'll be living in a better life in the future.
I do hope that the story could inspire us to work hard so that we'll be living in a better life in the future. @cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
9 Jun 12
Wow, that is some determination. (And I hope someone fixed the boat for them).
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
they had their older brother but it always gets to leak after a few uses again and again, of course the kids are getting bigger, perhaps causing this more trouble... what they do is they go side by side another family's boat so they can be with a wood beside them just in case... but they technically swim over to the next island...
@randy2611 (134)
• United States
9 Jun 12
Oh my goodness I have heard of struggles and a lack of resources, but never heard of such determination like this from such young children and school. I last heard of an older African man that wanted to go to school but they only let children in :-( in the end it worked out but Wow so many want a basic need, i'm moved as well. I admit I always felt school was a bore, I went but wished I could be anywhere but there :-( But we all have our motivations :-)
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
I have to admit that myself... there have been a lot of times i wished that school time is over already... but these kids with so much determination, they were even willing to swim to get to the next island where the school is located. It is really something that we always should think about, these are just kids who may only have started to realize, or have started to even seriously think about what life is.. and yet they are "working" as hard and as much as any adult who wants their lives to be better. This is really something most kids today should watch... to make them realize that they have been given too much that they are neglecting them... unlike these kids who would even worry if they will even have money to get to school the next semester...
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
9 Jun 12
It onlg shows that we should not for granted education. Some kids do get lazy sometimes going to school and do cut or skip classes.
Those kids are really determined and willing to learn. They willing to swin just to go to school and learn. Local government should help those kids to have proper and safer transportation in going to school.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
As per the show, someone took a notice and have built them a school near their area. But the thing is that there are still many others who may be suffering the same issue but was just not broadcast-ed, and we are unaware. This only goes to show the difference in the families who are really trying so hard - especially the children who hold on to their dreams of finishing school and try their best to get to school.
@factorial (977)
• Philippines
9 Jun 12
Yes! my heart was moved too! Imagine they had to swim 250 to 300 meters... even that little elementary pupil... my wife and I could not control our tears... You know I am a university professor and upon my retirement I am planning to apply as a volunteer teacher in far-flung areas... especially in mountainous areas. I have a 155 cc motorcycle that can really climb mountains.
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
I know.. this is how i felt yesterday and i was really close to just not watching because i feel my heart getting heavy already. these kids are in danger and the sea is very dangerous... they are all just kids crossing the sea on a small boat and they paddle it too... when the boat is full, these kids had to swim and had to change in front of the shore just so they can change into their school uniforms.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
11 Jun 12
Hello chilesan. I read something about those children some time ago. I really do admire their determination to get an education. Here in my own country (U.S.) so many of the children waste time instead of studying. They don't value the free (Well not free, but tax funded)education that they have available to them. They get to ride a bus that in many cases come right to the door to pick them up. The children here have life a lot easier than t hose in some other countries. A lot of them are just plain spoiled. I have two granddaughters that are very spoiled. in many ways. At the sometime many do have a difficult time too. Like the young lady that sishy7 remarked on. I do admire their determination. They are the best young people and deserve a very good education. They are listed on my hero list.
@CrazCo (409)
• Canada
9 Jun 12
It really irks me when people at my University don't take it seriously at all. They are very fortunate to have parent's providing them with the funds [and very large funds at that] so they can receive an education, and they really treat it like it's party time. I mean obviously they should be having some fun, but I think school [especially when it's so expensive] so not be taken so light-heartedly.
Stories like this are a good reminder of that. There is another family in Serbia iirc that had to travel very long distances in the snow to make it to school [i.e. cross rivers with no boat as well].
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
This is what i thought too myself. I wonder if it has something to do with the current environment and media the young ones are exposed to right now? During my time i really do remember trying to be my best in school so i can make my single mom proud... i never missed a class and i always feel sad if i do not do better. unlike my niece right now where they had to be forced to school... my younger niece did not even want to show up in school because she feels she still needs to playing instead of going to school!
@karstine29 (694)
• Philippines
11 Jun 12
I'll be pissed off too when I'll have a niece like that. And unfortunately, I do have same as yours.. He is a person who does not care at all where would his life lead him to be. He was given the opportunity to be in college twice but he didn't pursue it. Instead, he stayed at home playing online games. Look how dull his life is. 
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
Yes, that is right... it is still persistent and we know that such happens where children had to cross or walk about a mile to get to school and they start as early as 4am to start walking to school with no money and food with them for the whole day just to be able to study. The government does not seem to be doing a lot for these poor villages.
@ddaguno (3107)
• Philippines
9 Jun 12
there's another documentary that showed how teachers had to go up a mountain. cross 2 rivers while collecting banana leaves just to get to a village where they teach. the banana leaves are used as paper and the children use coal as pencils.
the area is so remote and very little help reach them. i believe this is in Surigao Del Sur.
@katrinapaz (2436)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
i also saw that mmk episode yesterday even though I did not want to watch it because I know that it would break my heart. I saw that kind of episode in the past too and I feel pity for them. I can imagine that some children are very blessed for being able to go to school in cars and many baon while some can hardly go to school or walk or swim to school. I hope they finish school and persevere to be successful!
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
11 Jun 12
I hope the same for these kids. I wish them to be able to get and reach their dreams and I know we all should be praying for them too, to never lose their way and for them to continuosly believe that they will be able to get through this time of their life. :D
@karstine29 (694)
• Philippines
9 Jun 12
I have actually watched that too. And I was also touched by the story. I just can't imagine if I was on their place. I did feel sad about them for being unfortunate in life. Yes, I feel so lucky to be properly raised by my single mom. That's the thing that I am really thanked of. My mom even murmured how we should be very determined on our studies for we are so fortunate to have the opportunity. I'm grateful to know that we have learned and touched from the story. I hope that we could apply in our real lives all the things we learned and realized.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
I could not even begin to imagine this happening to me too. i always tell my nieces to appreciate what their parents are giving them.. i always tell them not to waste or play with food... because they always had more than others, but they seem to not appreciate it and want new shoes, new bags, etc... i had to text my sister in law and tell her to let the kids watch so they can have at least a portion of understanding why they had to go to school...
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
11 Jun 12
I think we are not yet ready for that.. it was a raw plan, and it was rolled out this year like there is no effect to the concerned people - the teachers themselves and even the students. I agree with you and we do lack more teachers now what more if you added years to the curriculum. Students only go to school but they don't learn at all.
@factorial (977)
• Philippines
10 Jun 12
That is why I am not in favor of the K+12 program. At present we need additional classrooms... additional teachers... and we need to reduce the class size (some classes have even 80 students in one crowded classroom... let us make it 45 or even 30).
@jeth88 (68)
• Manila, Philippines
10 Jun 12
I got a chance to watch that local tv shot (MMK). I was moved also and can't take my eyes off the tv. Anyway, you have a point and I strongly agree with you.
@dobsyto (298)
• Bulgaria
9 Jun 12
Yeah this is really terrible for the kids to go to school everyday by that way. I think that everything in that life has bad and good points. I really appreciate that these kids go to school everyday by that way. It is good that this didn't stopped them to go to school. I hope that one they they will finish school with high degree and start their life better than now. We just can't realise how our life is better than the other have.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
9 Jun 12
Yes, the show is still not done, usually it is a life story with some positive results.. and i am hoping for the best while watching the story now as it happens.. i believe there is something good to happen to these kids. I really wish to be able to help these kinds of people when i have the chance someday. For now, my prayers are with these children whose actions are really admirable.
@karstine29 (694)
• Philippines
11 Jun 12
I know there are still a lot of students out there who keeps on struggling just to get to class.. How I wish I could also help them in the future. Same as you Chiyosan.. my prayers are always there to hope for the best in their lives..
