Classes started almost a month ago here in the Philippines. For sure, teachers asked their students to write or share in class how they spent their summer vacation. Expected answers to this question would be hitting the beach, visiting relatives in the province, reading books for leisure, watching TV programs and movies, and even sleeping.
I could also describe my summer with those activities, and it would have been typical if I hadn’t committed my summer vacation to Sambat Trust.
I could also describe my summer with those activities, and it would have been typical if I hadn’t committed my summer vacation to Sambat Trust.
Three-Hour Trips
Committing my vacation to Sambat Trust meant I needed to take three-hour trips to Tanauan City from Quezon City almost every other day for a month, starting from the third week of April until the second week of May. This also meant that six hours of my day were already lost on trips alone. The to-and-fro trip was actually twice the time I spent each day in Tanauan City. The frequent trips, however, did not discourage me because it was the only chance to see the six faces waiting for my arrival at Ms. Wilma de Rojas’ garage every 1 o’clock in the afternoon.
My sessions with the six Sambat Trust scholars, who were incoming Grade 6 and 7, usually started with a review of the past meeting and a little sharing of things they did in the previous day. Our first session deviated from this routine as I first gauged their reading abilities after learning a few things about them. We then read picture books for the first two weeks and a novel for the last weeks. To enrich their reading skills, I let them do activities such as creating character profiles, making timelines, comparing characters, sketching scenes, etc.
Committing my vacation to Sambat Trust meant I needed to take three-hour trips to Tanauan City from Quezon City almost every other day for a month, starting from the third week of April until the second week of May. This also meant that six hours of my day were already lost on trips alone. The to-and-fro trip was actually twice the time I spent each day in Tanauan City. The frequent trips, however, did not discourage me because it was the only chance to see the six faces waiting for my arrival at Ms. Wilma de Rojas’ garage every 1 o’clock in the afternoon.
My sessions with the six Sambat Trust scholars, who were incoming Grade 6 and 7, usually started with a review of the past meeting and a little sharing of things they did in the previous day. Our first session deviated from this routine as I first gauged their reading abilities after learning a few things about them. We then read picture books for the first two weeks and a novel for the last weeks. To enrich their reading skills, I let them do activities such as creating character profiles, making timelines, comparing characters, sketching scenes, etc.
Reading the novel Tall Story posed challenges for all of us. It took us seven sessions to finish it. One challenge was unlocking cultural nuances presented in the novel. Another was understanding some words. Despite these, we enjoyed following Bernado and Amandolina Hipolito’s journey, whether in San Mateo or in London. They also had fun doing the post-reading activities, especially the one where they needed to make paper models of the characters based on the book’s description.
We usually ended our reading sessions with the distribution of books they should read before the next meeting. Except for a few times that I gave them homework activities to process the book they would read, I let them read the take-home books for leisure. A portion of the following session would then be allotted for sharing their reading experiences. The last time they shared their reading experiences was on May 15, also our last day.
We usually ended our reading sessions with the distribution of books they should read before the next meeting. Except for a few times that I gave them homework activities to process the book they would read, I let them read the take-home books for leisure. A portion of the following session would then be allotted for sharing their reading experiences. The last time they shared their reading experiences was on May 15, also our last day.
Birthday for Books
My commitment to Sambat Trust, however, did not end with the reading sessions. I also signed up for Birthday for Books 2013, a campaign through JustGiving.com that aims to raise funds for the cause of Sambat Trust. Participating in this campaign means asking your family and friends to donate to Sambat Trust instead of having them send you gifts and cards.
So, on May 24, my 23rd birthday, I asked my co-teachers at the Raya School (a progressive elementary school in Quezon City) to donate to Sambat Trust. I am thankful to our school director Ani Almario for relaying the campaign to my co-teachers. She also facilitated in passing around a box where they could put their monetary contributions.
My commitment to Sambat Trust, however, did not end with the reading sessions. I also signed up for Birthday for Books 2013, a campaign through JustGiving.com that aims to raise funds for the cause of Sambat Trust. Participating in this campaign means asking your family and friends to donate to Sambat Trust instead of having them send you gifts and cards.
So, on May 24, my 23rd birthday, I asked my co-teachers at the Raya School (a progressive elementary school in Quezon City) to donate to Sambat Trust. I am thankful to our school director Ani Almario for relaying the campaign to my co-teachers. She also facilitated in passing around a box where they could put their monetary contributions.
Most of my co-teachers, however, opted to give books that the foundation could use in filling up the libraries of the beneficiary schools in Tanauan City. The books included Filipino and foreign titles, fiction and nonfiction – all for children. One month on, I’m still collecting book donations from them. Others even expressed their intention of participating in future activities of Sambat Trust. Some also said they would love to take a look at the beneficiaries.
It has been a month since I last visited Tanauan City. For sure, my summer students are now busy studying, acing their reading classes. I have to go back, not just to see once again their faces and to deliver the funds and books my co-teachers donated, but also to continue my commitment to Sambat Trust’s cause.
I am truly blessed being involved in Sambat Trust. My experiences with them have enriched my growth as a person for others.
It has been a month since I last visited Tanauan City. For sure, my summer students are now busy studying, acing their reading classes. I have to go back, not just to see once again their faces and to deliver the funds and books my co-teachers donated, but also to continue my commitment to Sambat Trust’s cause.
I am truly blessed being involved in Sambat Trust. My experiences with them have enriched my growth as a person for others.
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