These are typical complaints of the devoted social workers and housemothers at the Boystown Boy Home Cluster.
At the beginning of each sem, to set the tone of the course, we have a field trip to Manila Boystown Complex (MBC) in Parang, Marikina. MBC is under the supervision of Manila. It was donated by Pedro Tuason, same man who donated the Ateneo & Miriam properties to the 2 schools. Believe it or not, this generous man is said to be a grand grand lolo of FG Mike Arroyo.
So the class gets a first hand experience of a charity institution run by the government. Growing boys are always hungry but here they seem much hungrier. Their 50 year old cottages are dilapidated and broken down. Seems the students go away feeling a little bit more blessed.
A group offers to undertake the repair project. These repairs were facilitated with the generous assistance of Engr. Elicito de Leon of Dominic Construction who rah rahed the students, helped with budgets “working plans” for the repair. If he has surplus or reusable materials from his projects, he donates them to the project. The students' funds, usually about P40K after much buying & selling of cakes, bollers, and soliciting go to paints and sundries and a culminating activity upon completion.
I insist on sweat equity. So they do scraping and painting, unskilled labor work. Please see photos.
The cottages are transformed into bright well lighted places with working toilets. The students bring “spag” (“spaghetti” to you) and have a party. At this stage, they call me “Ma'am, can you help us with transpo for food from UP to Boys town?”
“Ok”, I say.
“Thanks so much Ma'am. God bless”.
“GOD BLESS” !! A transformation has occurred. They don't hate me anymore.
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