Surpassing hardships for children’s dreams

As a mother, Jainab Abilani wants nothing but a bright future for her children. She and her husband find ways to put their children to school because they see education as the key to a better life.

“My husband and I did not acquire any education when we were young. It is our hope that our children can study so they will not grow up like us – illiterate and easily fooled by other people,” said the 38-year-old mother.

When the pandemic hit the Philippines in 2019, it became hard for the Abilani family to cope. Like most Sama Bajaus in Zamboanga City, Philippines, their main source of livelihood is fishing. This was drastically affected, to the point that they sell their catch at a very minimal price.

The shift to distance learning also affected the family. Jainab is worried since nobody from the household can teach the children as she and her husband cannot read nor write. There were times when she asks her children to just copy from the modules of their classmates from the neighborhood. Much worse, they often submit modules without any answers. They also do not have an internet-ready mobile phone which would be helpful for the children’s studies.

Jainab Abilani with son Marham.

To support young Sama Bajau learners amid the pandemic, Community and Family Services International (CFSI) provides tutoring sessions to children in primary grade levels. Community volunteers are mobilized to assist children in answering modules in Brgys. Kasanyangan and Rio Hondo of Zamboanga City where most Sama Bajaus reside.

This initiative is part of the Sama Bajau Education Support Project Phase Two (SBESP/2) of CFSI, with funding support from Educo, supporting boys and girls in Grades Two and Three, including over-age learners. Based on the assessment, the two grade levels are the critical ones for which students need specialized support.

Jainab’s family is among the 87 Sama Bajau families supported by the project. Her children Mutya and Marham undergo tutoring sessions with CFSI.

“They are now able to answer their modules completely and learn more just like what they do in real schools. Also, my children are fed in the session which is also something I am thankful for about the project,” shared Jainab.

Jainab proudly poses in front of the banner they made for Mutya when she graduated from kindergarten in 2016.

When asked about their dreams, Mutya wants to become a teacher so she could teach Sama Bajau children and contribute to their journey of achieving their dreams and having a better life. She said that she admires the community volunteers of CFSI for going the extra mile of teaching them despite the many limitations brought by the pandemic.

Marham, on the other hand, wishes to become police so he could defend those whose rights are violated.

Hearing all these, Jainab is even more motivated to fully support her children.

“It inspires me to get their modules and submit on time, even though I have to walk long since the school is far. I’ll do it for my children. I dream for my children to be whoever they want to be in the future, and that will only be possible if they finish their studies,” Jainab shared with a smile. #