Last night when I went to bed, I couldn’t shake off from my mind the pictures of those mothers with their kids. We just finished the last round of evaluation tests to determine whether who among the children attending our learning centers have passed the Basic Literacy Program. Last May, we had 60 passers.
We had a team of volunteer-evaluators composed of two primary teachers from the Philippines who designed the tests and one who used to be a school principal for seven years in the Philippines before she taught in an International school in Thailand for the last five years.
They stayed with us for 3-4 weeks, visiting the centers in the kampongs, observing the students and our teachers.
We were all waiting for the big day, when the tests will be given. And indeed the big day came.
Plus another bigger day, when the results yielded 256 passers for our second batch.
After 10 months, two hundred fifty six were certified readers who can be accepted to our Primary Program this coming January 2011. Should they pursue it. Should their circumstances allow them. Or should they rise above their circumstances.
As I am writing this, one kampong is being demolished. We don’t know where the kids will be. But one thing we are sure, once they can locate the learning center, they will find their way.
Just like the kids who were awarded their certificates after passing the program.
I looked at the pictures again. I looked at the face of the proud Moms, what was inside their hearts were written all over their faces. Their kids will not be like them. They will have a chance.
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