5 April 2018, Lanao del Sur, Philippines
Community and Family Services International (CFSI) and BRAC Philippines took part in the Graduation Rites, held in Lanao Sur II School Division, entitled Mag-aaral ng K to 12: Handa sa Hamon ng Buhay (Students of the K-12 program: Ready for the Challenges of Life). The graduates were learners of the Basic Education Project (BEP) implemented by CFSI in conflict-affected areas of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. The BEP includes the conduct of basic education classes and the establishment and construction of classrooms in some of the most isolated villages of the aforementioned provinces.
Namroden Malik, a student from the BRAC Learning Centre in Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur shared “sa puntong ito ng aking buhay, hindi ko alam ang paglalagyan ng aking subrang tuwa. Ako ay nagagalak sa pagkat isa itong karangalan. Layunin ng programang ito na makapag aral ang mga batang hindi magawang makapag aral sa public schools. Isa itong napakalaking oportunidad para sa amin ang programang iyon. Ang mga batang tulad namin na kuntento na sa makakain at makapaglaro lamang ay namulat sa katotohanan na mayrun pala kaming karapatan na dapat tinatamasa, at iyon ay ang karapatan makapag aral” (I am overwhelmed with joy. This is an honour. The aim of this program was to provide education for children who were unable to attend the regular public schools. This program was a huge opportunity for children like us, who were content with simply eating and playing. It opened our eyes, and allowed us to realise that we too have a right to education).
