Johan Laugs visited our first project in May 2019, a visit to Banquerohan Resettlement Elementary school. We had already contacted the school for some time, so that we were well prepared on the road. The school is located in the town of Legaspi City in the province of Albay and is located uphill, quite a climb. Down in Legaspi there are quite a few facilities, but the farther you go uphill, the fewer the facilities and the more rural it becomes. The schools that are located here have very few facilities. On arrival we were warmly welcomed by the principal Mr. Añonuevo and some teachers.
Unfortunately for us the schools start after a summer holiday in the month of June, in terms of vacations it is not comparable with the Netherlands. We knew this beforehand, but it was a pity that no children were present at our visit. It would have been nice to see how the school functions when the classes are full, also to serve up the atmosphere and way of teaching. Something for our next visit to be reckoned with.
We were told that some classrooms could use a refurbishment turn, including peeling paint against the walls. As a foundation we have provided latex paint so that the classrooms could have a makeover before the end of the holiday, the budgets of the schools are minimal, which means that maintenance remains difficult. Our box toys had also arrived from the Netherlands, including theater attributes such as hand puppets.
As a thank you for the visit and the support that the school received, a certificate was handed over by the principal as a token of appreciation.
In the conversations we had with the principal we learned that it is important for them that they could set up a computer room in the long term. They realized very well that without computer skills the youth would be behind, that this is important for their future to develop well. At the moment there was 1 computer present throughout the school, especially for print and administrative work. What was even more visible and what they lack at the moment are blackboards, explaining it in class and, above all, making it visual is a difficult thing for the teachers at the moment.
Finally it was an exciting afternoon. Everything was very much appreciated and you also saw that it is in the right place here. It is really worthwhile to commit ourselves to this beautiful school.
“Another way of saying and acknowledging you and your foundation for your generosity, learners and our faculty are happy for your generous assistance, and for visiting our school yesterday this could be a great help for our learners. Hope that you would include me as one or the recipients in your foundation.
We look forward for whatever assistance your foundation could bring in our school.
Again, a million thanks, God bless you,
Mr. Añonuevo,
Principal ”
