For Rachell Anne Buen, wife to a Dumagat-Remontado bloodline, life has been a tough trek she and her family endure much like the journey to Brgy. San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan where they live. That’s why when Operation Blessing has reached their place to extend help, she has never been so thankful.
Rachell and her family live on solar-powered energy because an electric generator costs P5,000.00 ($100) that each one has to buy and maintain well to prolong its use. Her husband works as a forest-keeper in Mount Balagbag, Rodriguez, Rizal. His earnings used to be given annually but is now every 4 months.
During the lockdown, her husband was on-call for monitoring illegal logging operations. They had to resort to making and selling barbecue sticks which earned an insufficient amount as every bundle only cost P4.00 ($0.8).
Her son, Jovito “Jury” Rodrigo Jr, is a five-year-old kindergarten student at Sapang Munti Elementary School (SMES). Like many other young students, Jury finds the online module approach much more difficult than face to face classes.
However, there are people committed to help with the children’s learning needs.
Operation Blessing reached out to the community through SMES by giving reams of bond papers, inks and a printer to assist in modular learning needs. Educational books and toys from McDonald’s Philippines were also distributed which captured the hearts and smiles of children in the community.
“Thank you Operation Blessing for your help to our children and their school,” expressed Rachell.
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Will you help us reach more schools that lack the supplies needed to help children access education in remote communities? DONATE through www.operationblessing.ph or contact us at 09399215543 or 09189067753.
DSWD-SB-SP-000061-2021-Nationwide. Valid until November 23, 2022.
(Story by Jen Alonsozana)