WITH AAI, THIS IS HOW WE TERMED COUNTERPARTS!

Aja! School year were full of colors than it was! How did these happen? Well, as what saying goes “Two heads are better that one”. We will never succeed if there is only one person involved who will stand still and do every little thing.

From the very start, we emphasized that Manilop Elementary School is composed of hard work, cooperation and smile. Teachers here are hardworking whether they’re paid or not because majority of the teachers here are volunteers. Luckily we have a supportive and cooperative Barangay Captain who always there to understand what we really need. And if we are to acknowledge a person who stand with us especially in elevating its status from the Primary into a Complete Elementary, that is our SuperV who is always there beside us.

How are we going to emphasize this so-called 'cooperation’?

Let me begin from the very little thing we shared. There was a time when the President of Asia America Initiative in the person of Professor Albert Santoli sent us fun books and games for the learners to ease the trauma from we called Manilop Incident last July 2016. We immediately inform the Barangay Captain about it and he responded that he will be giving pencils to partner that fun books. Our SuperV were also there to comfort us during the emergency response. WOW! What a good start of partnership!

Man in white is the Chairman of Barangay Manilop, Indanan

SuperV in action

First educational fun books received from AAI

Another thing was our Kindergarten Classroom. We noticed that our Kindergarten learners were suffering in a small, fused classroom shack. We made a project proposal, solicitations, and contributions from PTCA then Prof. Al sent us 50,000 pesos. So the government’s hundred thousand-cost project became only half of it. The 50K from Prof was added by the OSY in the community by donating hallow blocks. Ply woods, cements, sand and gravel were from some concerned friends. Woods and construction materials are from Barangay Captain and what matters most, is the FREE LABOR’S FEE. The almost 500 pesos standard labor’s fee a day was free. Some women in the community were the one who prepared food and meals for the carpenters. That’s the least thing we can do because we will not be able to give money for the carpenters.

On-going construction of Kindergarten Classroom

The parents and other stakeholders together with the Kindergarten learners of Manilop during the inauguration of Kindergarten Classroom.

During the last quarter of School Year 2016-2017, AAI sponsored the Mass Feeding Program where all of the learners were able to eat. That was also a 50-50 partnership program but aside from letting the child or the parents provide eight pesos to make it 16 we agreed to let them bring veggies, spices, fire woods, water, and most of all the time and effort they have spent with us during the feeding program.

Captured during the preparation of food for the Mass Feeding

Just recently, we elevated Manilop Primary to Elementary School therefore we need to have a classroom to cater our Grades 5 and 6 enrolees. As usual, we informed our Barangay Captain, the PTCA and other stakeholders about it. Alhamdulillah we have an immediate positive response. Like what we did before we knocked our beloved supporter’s heart and he sent us funds for the classroom shack construction. Few days later, Prof. Al sent us a numbers of armed chairs so that our new fifth and sixth graders will seat comfortably.

Classroom shack of Grades 5 and 6 

Armed Chairs from AAI

Latest image of the classroom shack 

Indeed, teamwork really matters for it is the key to success especially in an organization.  So now just like other schools in Indanan South District, Manilop Elementary School, a school which composed of hard work, cooperation and smile is well-prepared to assist learners achieve their goals in life and serves as a bridge for them to walk through the right path.