“No sobra san wada en sik-a, no mabalin umibingay ka adam bukodan di gawis.” This is a line extracted from a Kankanaey song, which means, ‘share your blessing to those in need.’
When I was walking towards church one Sunday morning, I thought of playing a local song and so it happen that this song was first on the list. As I listened to the message of the song, I was reminded about how our school gained progress from the year it opened in 2007. The school is the second farthest school in Benguet. It is located in the mountaintop in the boundaries of Itogon, Benguet; Nueva Vizcaya; and Pangasinan.
As a beginning school, it was annexed to main school where little support was received. It started from zero physical facilities, meager honorarium of volunteer teachers as pioneers. Being a pioneer teacher in the newly opened school is very challenging. It requires a lot of sacrifices, time, efforts and even personal money was used to keep the school going for the sake of indigent learners. Solicitations were floated to every local government unit office as well as private institutions just to complete materials and equipment needed in the teaching-learning process. For the years passed, the school mass moved on to a gradual progress every year by God’s grace and mercy. Many of our graduates pursued their studies, had jobs here and abroad.
But sad to see that all of these sacrifices, efforts, and investments incurred in the development of this school has turned into ashes. It really hurts our hearts and soul seeing the fire burning our school last Aug. 22. Folks from the community even cried as the school buildings are being burned due to electric circuit. Thank God, it’s zero casualty.
Despite this crisis in the community, modular class will continue as announced by the Schools Division superintendent. The teachers are facing a very challenging start of this school year. This will start from zero like in the year 2007. Truly, history repeats itself because the teachers are busy at present soliciting learning materials and equipment and cash to suffice the needs in the conduct of modular class.
As I write this article for the readers, I am soliciting at the same time. “No sobra san wada en sik-a, no mabalin umibingay ka. Adam bukodan di gawis” share your blessing, donate it so that the school can move on to its modular class for the indigents. For those who want to extend their hands, you may submit your donations at Laurencio Fianza National High School or you may contact the school coordinator 0910-566-3862. Rest assured that all your donations are properly documented. (AUGUSTINA B. CAYAT)
April 20, 2024
