Update on the boys in Adlas, the Philippines
On 31st October we were delighted to receive an update on the boys’ school in Adlas, Philippines from Sr Laresa.
Her school accepted 461 new boys in June of this year. The boys have settled into school very quickly with no homesickness and a thorough enjoyment of their new studies and everything school has to offer. Their health is also improving. They are enjoying their new balanced meals every day and gaining weight. The vitamin supplements provided by the Sisters are also key to their recovery and this makes a big difference to their improved immunity.
The boys continue to study a very busy curriculum of subjects but with the help of the Sisters they are thriving in their new learning.
427 youngsters graduated from the school in May this year and Sister Laresa was pleased to share that 100% of these boys are already in employment – an amazing accomplishment.
Typhoon Kristine
The school in Adlas suffered extensive damage as a result of Typhoon Kristine, late in October.
The Typhoon brought strong winds on 22nd October, which caused damage to areas across the school campus including the gymnasium, workshops and roofs as well as destroying some of the greenhouses at the school where the children and Sisters were growing vital food crops to feed the children.
This is where the impact of the typhoon has been most greatly felt not just in their ability to grow their own food but in the cost of food to be purchased as the typhoon has deeply affected supply, particularly of vegetables across the country.
The damage experienced by the school will be long lasting and this will be a focus for our fundraising over the coming months.
Update with the girls School in Biga
On 7th November we had an update with Sr Maureen, Sr Pinky and other Sisters at the girls’ school in Biga, the Philippines.
Like the school in Adlas, the school in Biga had suffered considerable damage from the effects of the typhoon. Of enormous concern however was the impact on the families of the children at the school. The Sisters were working hard to prepare the children for what to expect when they return home for the Christmas holiday and how they can help their families to manage. Many of these families will have lost their entire homes and livelihoods.
Settling into school
646 new girls arrived into the school in Biga in June ranging in age from 12 to 15 years old although they are all joining grade 7. Having missed two important years of education during the pandemic, the girls joining now are slow readers and receiving additional help to catch up with the national curriculum taught at the school.
It has been a hugely emotional time for the girls. They were so thrilled and surprised by the space at school. They love their new school supplies, their own bags, rulers, pencils and shoes and they are so happy to have their own bed – they hug their pillow and blanket and they love the food.
For these youngest at the school this will be their first ever Christmas celebration. Each year Christmas is a special time for the children and this year, with the support of our generous friends, the girls will receive some very modest gifts including a t-shirt and rubber shoes, a formal shirt for job applications and the grade 10 girls have requested just a humble bath towel.
Rescuing boys in Mexico
On 21st November we were also able to have an update call with Sr Hortencia, in charge of the boys school in Guadalajara, Mexico. They also welcomed new children in the summer and 577 boys joined the school in August.
These boys have come from difficult family situations and faced not just extreme poverty but issues of violence, family separation and community crime. Many youngsters join the schools suffering the psychological effects of these difficult early years and they receive ongoing help and counselling from clinical psychologists and the Sisters. One of these psychologists is Fabian, who is a graduate of the school and now a professional clinician who is regularly at the school to help the boys.
The early days at the school are important for the boys to receive all the emotional support they need as well as a good balanced diet to help them grow and build their immunity.
Learning skills for employment
Nearly 70% of the senior boys who graduated from the school in the summer are already in employment in Mexico. The roles include hospitality, catering and auto mechanics. The work fairs held at the school have really helped employment. At the most recent careers fair more than 27 employers were represented to introduce the boys to new opportunities and careers that might be available to them.
The Sisters have also established new workshops in electronics and mechatronics to teach the boys skills relevant for local employment. These training workshops and the equipment for these courses are a focus for future fundraising.
The Sisters have also made great progress over the last six months with their agricultural projects. They have dedicated several hectares to the growth of crops, as well as raising chickens (which were a gift from a supporter) and most recently establishing bee hives for the harvesting of honey. This self-sufficient approach to running the programmes helps their sustainability. It teaches the boys vital skills for future employment and the produce generated from this activity helps to subsidise the diet of the boys and, when they can sell some, to raise funds for their care.