Bislig Elementary School

This would be my first visit to a 'recovering institution' where I might say I am really actively involved in the operations. But don't worry, my stories henceforth won't dwell on them. My eyes are still alert to look around at places worth visiting.., and the likes!

As I said in some of my earlier stories, I have been in and out of Leyte and Samar many times before and after Yolanda. But in many of those visits or 'fly-by' opportunities, I was just either 'curious and stopped to peep' or 'incidentally passing by the area'...

This time, I'm starting to go around with another purpose - to participate in the Yolanda recovery activities, offered by the kind organization I volunteered with. And it is not easy.

Not easy seeing all the destruction, the havoc, the loss that Yolanda has wrecked unto this region of the country. But it's past the grieving and weeping period. Time to rise up!

See that black roof of the temporary classroom? It's just canvass! But can you see the 'sky blue' roof behind it? Made by a UN agency! Just the roof however. The classrooms are still being reconstructed. See that building after the white tent? New and almost finished, done by DSWD Kalahi Volunteers! Pasasaan ba, this school will be up again!

I counted at least 6 aid/development agencies all helping "resurrect" various structures!

Here's a Grade 2 Classroom and its 'just cosntructed' blackboard, as of this morning...

Still unfinished, but Ma'am Teacher and pupils thought they could already make use of it while painting works haven't started yet. One kid told me "they will still paint it green so that it will become a real blackboard"! And I laughed with her! A promising bright kid!

Bakit nga ba kasi green ang blackboard?!

I think this was an "Home Economics" room... work has also already started, right?

I know actually - demolition work has already started, so a new one will soon be erected. At least the building structures to its left and right seem already done sans the interiors!

This is the homeroom of Grade VI-1... they're already painting the insides! Whoa!

Mind you, these classrooms have two toilets each! 1 for the boys and 1 for the girls!

This is the fun and fulfilling part. I came not to grieve or wail with the victims - their tearwells already dried up! I came to help ensure those structures are up (faster please), and hopefully help lift the spirits of the kids, parents and teachers, one way or another...

And I have started. Yeah!