An angel sent from above!

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The first of February 2009, Sunday, 10:00am, Manang Aida and I were scheduled to meet for the first time.  Aware that I have never been to Barangay 835, she guided my way  through sms that morning, her messages long, detailed and clear. I could tell that she was excited to meet me likewise I couldn’t wait to meet her. We were put in touch by a common friend late last year and we’ve only spoken on the phone once or twice, texted a couple of times but have not had the chance to meet. I invite you to follow my picture-story, a wonderful Sunday morning at Akap Bata Day Care with Manang Aida, a true angel on earth.

 

Barangay 835, Pandacan, Manila

  

Akap = hug, Bata = child

 

Welcome to Akap Bata Daycare Centre at Barangay 835, Pandacan Manila

 

Akap Day Care opened in mid-2008 after Manang Aida received formal training to run a daycare centre. Since she has no electricity at home, she decided to put up a 'classroom' at her backyard. The blackboard, table and chairs were donated by a Christian organisation and a good friend of Manang Aida's had the floor cemented. The canopy tent, however, was just borrowed from another organisation (I'm not sure when Manang Aida will have to return it to them).

 

This is Manang Aida, a tireless grassroots social worker, trained by progressive Christian activists in the 1980s. She was a street educator for several years until she decided to get training and certification to run her own daycare. She, with a few other volunteers, runs the daycare centre and does not get paid to do this. She's truly an angel. And don't you just love her big captivating smile?

 

Even if it's Sunday the kids love to hang out at the daycare.

 

They even showed me their pet chicken.

 

Manang Aida and the kids open the boxes!

 

So happy to receive the books!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

There's also a box of school supplies (notebooks, crayons, scissors, etc) and some toys, too!

 

Dave, age 3, loves this pack of crayons and water colour.

 

Welcome to Manang Aida's home, where Akap Bata classes are sometimes held. There's no electricity at her house so Manag Aida says she prefers to teach outside where the sun's rays illuminate the faces of her students, and where on cool days children are more energetic.

 

Akap Bata's library

Akap Bata daycare is along Pandacan railroad.

 

Akap Bata neighbors

 

Akap Bata Christmas Tree. See the little piggy?

 

Manang Aida, Teacher Karen and some children at the Akap Day Care. THANK YOU FOR THE BOOKS!

 

thank you!

I had such a lovely Sunday morning with Manang Aida. I wish there were more people like her, she’s just so inspiring.

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Some issues:

Surrounding Barangay 835 and 836 are huge oil depots of three major oil companies:  ChevronCaltex, Petron Corporation and Pilipinas Shell. For years, Pandacan residents, with support from several I/NGOs, have been calling for the immediate closure and relocation of the depots citing concerns over health, environment and security hazards. Children living within the vicinity are directly exposed to hazardous fumes and other chemicals emitted in the air which have been reported to cause respiratory illnesses. For more information on this issue, please visit:

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Pandacan Alternative Shell Report
http://www.philsol.nl/pir/v3/AltShell.htm

 

SC upholds closure of Pandacan oil depot
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/feb/14/yehey/metro/20080214met3.html

 

AKBAYAN PRESSES RELOCATION OF PANDACAN OIL DEPOT
Cites Terror Threats to Philippines as Urgent Cause
http://www.philsol.nl/pir/v3/Akbayan-Pandacan-apr04.htm

 

NGO raises cancer fears around Pandacan oil depot
http://gcmonitor.org/article.php?id=134