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Rain cannot stop the children from going to school

It was 2pm in the afternoon as I went to another khampung, it rained so hard that time. To my surprise, the children were busy mopping the floor with their own clothes.

I asked them why? They said “teacher, we need to have class but how can we do it if the carpet is wet we cannot sit down. (Actually, students are just sitting on the floor while having their class to save space and observed discipline.)

I felt proud of my students they are really eager to do things even to turn their clothes into a mop for them to continue their class! They continue what they were doing until the rain stopped and start their class with their brilliant ABC sounds and “rain, rain go away song.”

Next day, to my guilt I brought them a mop for them to use in times of rain. They were very happy with it. In such simple things we can help them. These children really amaze me everyday. Who is able not to love these children? Not even one.

The good thing they are dedicated to do the necessary in order to continue their studies.

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A beautiful wedding celebration at the Sabah Goducate learning center

Recently a couple decided to exchange their vows at the Goducate community center in one of the kampungs. After 8 years of a rollercoaster love story, they finally joining their hearts. This is the first wedding event that happened in the community center, after over a year it was built.

The mother of the bride before the wedding asked if they can use the center and we said why not. Most of the people in kampong helped the couples’ families to prepare their food and decorate the place. A Filipino culture of bayanihan, whether they are different in doctrine and beliefs.

It’s Sunday morning and the weather was hot, most people was excited and asking what time are we going to the wedding because it will start around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. We went to the wedding with a few mothers. I was surprised that to see our simple Community center was turned into a beautiful garden with two seats at the center. As I saw the couple, the bride was so beautiful that made her as a princess for today, she changed her dress 3 times. Then after we ate, we took some pictures from the couple and the family.

Early that evening, we went home thankful for this event because it helps bind the relationship between the people of different cultures and traditions within that kampong. But then the wedding party was not yet over until midnight.

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A new literacy center in Sabah

This year, one mother takes initiative to start a small literacy center at her small house. The house was built in a swamp area were kangkong plants and cobras lives.

When we went to pay them a visit, around 40 children sitting on the floor, try to write the ABC. As I looked around to observed, I smiled when I saw that the ABC was all over written at their wall made of plywood. At the outside of the house, we also notice that the neighborhood wall has also ABC. I smiled to see how persistent they are to learn, even though the resources are not sufficient.

Last month, Goducate at the same place was able to rent a bigger house with a bigger space compare to their first classroom. The 40 children was happily and proud to transfer to that house with their free bag of school supplies that GODUCATE also provide.

Now the 40 children who were taught by this very enthusiastic teacher increase up to 200 students and 2 other volunteered mothers and 1 teenager. The school house accommodates 4 classes in the morning and 2 classes in the afternoon. Still parents brought their children from the other kampong to enroll for the same purpose to let their children learn how to read and write.