Waiting

"Lives of Service depend on Lives of Support"

--Tracy Kidder

When I began this page, not only had I planned a different use for the photo of at the left, but the title was "The Waiting List", and the quote above hadn't yet entered my literary life. That was nine months ago, and today, Sunday, July 20th, 2008, is the first time I've been able to make a posting since then.

When we were in California (Oct.'07), I had less demands for my attention and was able to think about topics I wanted to address on this blog. Thus, even though I didn't have the time then to complete more than a couple (leaving unfinished 'JILL & JULIA' until today), I did make placeholders by creating drafts for the ideas I had. I never dreamed it would be so long before I could return to any of them, or I might not have though it so clever of me! It now feels silly and awkward to be writing to a date nine months old, but the positive aspect is that it does provide a framework for me to continue with.

This entry will be short, created to provide relief from repeatedly seeing the last one for those who'd looked for updates, and to let them know that there is, indeed, TWO new postings now! This one, and the completed:

Jill & Julia .

Which I hope everyone will scroll immediately down to find, third from here!

The three girls in the picture at the top of the page will get their own space, later--they were three who came to the school last year, hoping to become students immediately. Its been gratifying to see how many children want to join us, but twenty has been the limit I could handle, so we had to create a Waiting List (now at 45 since January 2007). However, these girls exemplified the type of students I longed to reach...so for a while I gave them special sessions until I just couldn't juggle it all anymore. It broke my heart, frankly. It didn't seem fair to make wait the very students who were so responsive to what OCSH offers. The experience made me all the more resolved to find a way to move the school into a setting that could accommodate more students--but more on that later, too.

The goal of this page is to provide directions back into the blog so that Jill and Julia's contributions aren't overlooked. The quote from Tracy Kidder's book about Dr. Paul Farmers' work in Haiti (Mountains Beyond Mountains) will be seen again in a future post for the publisher and contributors to the Australian sailing magazine, THE COASTAL PASSAGE, but even though I introduce it here to honor Jill and Julia, it applies to everyone who does anything to make the life just a little bit better for someone else:

Service and support doesn't have to be self-sacrificing or dramatic; just genuine and with heart, in whatever way we can, according to our abilities.

The following are only two of the many who thoroughly enjoyed using the watercolor pencils that Jill and Julia most recently sent:

Special Kindnesses, Santa Cruz Style

"I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts."

--John Locke

It is a wonderful thing to experience "the kindness of strangers" when one most feels vulnerable. In a world of increasing bureaucracy and indifference, encountering people who relate sympathetically is almost a mystical experience. In Santa Cruz, California, we've recently encountered especially spontaneous people, and I want to take a moment to spotlight their kindnesses...

The first week after we arrived, needing to attend to a change of shipping addresses for the small marine supplies business we have in the Philippines, YACHTS IN TRANSIT, we phoned the accounting office at our wholesaler. A woman named Cathy answered but, in reviewing the file, discovered that our account predated their more current forms. She said it was necessary to fill out new forms to maintain our account.

Indeed our forms were old! Thirty years ago, before there were any forms, Bill had been buying rope out of the founder's Mountain View garage! With the establishment of our own boat maintainence business, we'd naturally progressed to wholesale customer status and had watched, amazed, how rapidly West Marine exploded into an international success story. (Our own success, needless to say, was more modest.) In 1991 we left California to sail across the Pacific, but continued to work on boats as we cruised. Our partner in Santa Cruz maintained the business of restoring old boats.

Cathy was only doing her job when she asked us to bring our application up to current standards, a safeguard against individuals without a valid business, but because our activity had become so reduced over the years, we worried we'd become too marginal for a big company to bother with.

Losing our account was a chilling thought, because through YACHTS IN TRANSIT, cruisers in the Philippines have helped support the school. Donating a percentage of the orders we place for them, the income provides for special needs, like repair of our computers, or stimulating materials (colored gel pens, thick papers, or matte boards) for artwork.

Cathy, bless her soul, understood the significance of this information. Though initially feeling the need to consult with others, she recognized that while we were no longer high-end customers, we'd been loyal customers, annually meeting our financial commitment--so she said, "Lets' just keep it as it is."

There isn't a photograph of Cathy because we met only over the telephone, but the picture above, captured through the windshield of my car while stopped at an intersection, portrays something of our encounter. Maybe the two cyclists even knew each other (though it felt differently) or, perhaps, it was only a moment's meeting, but there was something so human about the two helmeted people (the older woman with her basket of flowers and the sleek man in his special clothing), that I felt enhanced, uplifted, just watching their brief exchange.

Anais Nin said, "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage" and Cathy's action not only inspired gratitude and respect in me, more importantly it has contributed to the betterment of One Candle Schoolhouse's students.

The next lovely encounter was Crystal. I'd previously been told I'd need to buy a new cell phone because my Philippine phone wouldn't take a Verizon sim card. No other options offered. Three weeks later and very frustrated with public pay phones, I asked again, in another Verizon store. This time, though still not possible to use their sim cards, I was directed to the AT&T store (Thank you, thank you!). It was there I met Crystal.

Immediately understanding it didn't make sense to buy a new cell phone for a remaining two weeks, Crystal whispered sympathetically, "We'll give you a loaner," adding, "sometimes some people get funny about doing this but, after all, it's our JOB to make the customer happy!"

And happier, she couldn't have made me! With a quick flip here, and a tap-tap there, Crystal effortlessly presented me with a sheaf of instructions and a used-but-working cell phone! The word grateful didn't begin to convey the feelings I had, floating out the door with my new/old cell phone.


Those two examples were major kindnesses given in response to problems I needed help with. The next two (though I hesitate to set a number as yet!) fall under "Random Acts of Kindness."


While searching for items in a thrift store (wonderful adventures, Thrift Stores; how we miss them in the Philippines!) I watched a dark-haired young man sorting through a box of cameras.

Filipinos love photographs, and I encourage our students to learn photography with what we have. Unfortunately, our cameras haven't much life left in them by the time they reach us, but nonetheless, the kids have gained valuable experience anyway, so I was wondering if I should take a chance and explore the box, myself. Last year, Bill found a point-and-shoot in a thrift bin which proved to be a good buy. Could I also be so lucky?

Suddenly the man looked up and smiled, telling me, "Feel free to dive in!" Pawing through the box together, he enthusiastically related all the wonderful things that could be done with these old cameras! My head was spinning and my heart pounding with trying to remember everything he said. I LONGED to have him come to Tambobo and show us how to do all these things--and told him so!

But, of course, we both knew that was more a wish upon the wind as he finished his perusal through the box and began to leave. He mentioned he was a photographer himself; he also taught photography, sometimes for children at summer camps.

He'd filled my cup to overflowing with his enthusiastic information. "What a gift that was!" I was thinking when he startled me by returning.

Almost embarrassed, he held out a folded 5"x7" index card, with a drawing on the back side. "Sorry, that's all I had to write on...if your students ever have any questions I can help with, here's my email address." And then he was gone before I could think to reciprocate.

But I have his email address, and I will write to Phillip, photography student at University of California, Santa Cruz, that a Thank You note has been added here just for him--one of the special flowers in my Santa Cruz bouquet of memories.


I use that metaphor deliberately, because this morning--summoned to Enterprise Car Rental to have new license tags affixed--I entered the office in time to see a bouquet of autumn flowers, wrapped in pumpkin colored paper, passed over the counter. 'Erin' had brought them for Enterprise employee, Katelin, in response to great kindness during a difficult 'moving day', when Erin had rented a vehicle.




Tom, unfailingly charming during the numerous times I've returned to dither about some needed information (not to mention his inserting my car to the head of the lot's line today, when I asked where to find a car wash), deadpanned, "No one has EVER brought ME flowers."

(Not yet they haven't, Tom; not yet...)

I hope these vignettes of kindness will bring pleasure to those who gave them in the first place, as well as continue to radiate outward, in the lives of those who read of them.

Teresa, Karyn & Carol

"The social significance of a cultural breakthrough,
as contrasted with a social movement, does not
arise from its being done by vast masses of people
but from its being done decisively by someone"

--Jim Corbett's Quixote Principle

One of the most touching aspects of the school is how new sponsors have joined with old friends to become like an extended family for the students. Their continuing loyalty never ceases to reduce me to absolute mush.

Teresa and I became friends thirty years ago in Redwood City, California, when we both were new to the world of sailing. Bill and I were building our gaff-rigged PILAR, and Teresa and her partner were refitting their cruising sloop. Teresa and I began working together on other boats, sanding and varnishing, and while we worked she would enchant me with stories of her huge family, growing up in Spain. Dazzled by the bounty of her memories, not wanting to lose any of it to time and poor memory, I began writing them down...my first literary efforts for which I will always be grateful.

Karyn and Carol came into our life through an email last year, and continue to brighten our mailbox with frequent updates. They initiated the friendship thus:

"Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2006 22:44:26 -0500
Subject: What can I do to help your school?

Good evening, Diane,

My name is Karyn, I am Cathy's sister. Cathy has been talking about you and your wonderful school, non-stop, since she got back from the Philippines. You and your students have had quite an impact on her, so I wanted to see what I could do to help, too.

Cathy gave me a set of the cards your students made, and I love them, so I would like to help market them...I also wanted to let you know that I love to haunt garage sales and flea markets, so if you could provide me with a list of any books (classroom or otherwise), supplies, clothing, etc, you might need, as well as an address to send them to, I would be happy to keep an eye out for them."

In the Philippines, the government allows a special service (called "Balykbayon") for people abroad to send packages inexpensively into the country. For the past several years, in addition to sponsoring (in conjunction with her husband, Steve) one of our college students, Teresa has been regularly forwarding boxes of donations to the school--thus enabling Karyn and Carol to send HUGE amounts of clothing, books and school supplies to the students.

With any donation we receive, the students begin working on their Thank You's, incorporating the new materials if possible, and/or using the computers to develop their skills. For Teresa, Karyn and Carol, they turned to PowerPoint Presentations--their first-time experience!

Much of the art the children used were their own, utilizing their previous skills to scan the pieces themselves. They were very taken with the "bells and whistles"--sound effects and animations--but these have been lost during the embedding process here...

Jill & Julia

"The World isn't about You,
but about you in the World"

--Jane Alexander

Here is another email of introduction from someone who has remained steadfast in her support of our students:

Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 12:11:58 -0000

Hi Diane

I am a friend of Patricia Lucas, we used to be neighbours and went to college together! I was in Oz recently and stayed with them on Soleares and she was telling me about your work with the children. Then she sent me a copy of your fascinating booklet!

One of the friends that I share a house with has visited the Philippines three times and was helping the Monobo people. She went to Cotobato City then up to Isulan and on to Kulaman, 5 hours into the mountains by motorbike! I have just found where you are on our map of the Philippines.

Patricia was saying that you would be pleased to receive things for the children. What sort of things would you appreciate??? If I send a parcel what address should I send it to?

All three of us who live together were teachers!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We live in a little village with a medieval foundation, in fact a medieval bridge is alongside our garden. I can send pictures for the children to see, if you are able to receive them.

Very best wishes, I look forward to hearing from you

Jill Phelps

Since the year 2006, Jill and her friend, Julia (an artist, not a teacher), have regularly posted small packages of art supplies to us, including numerous historical postcards of the site where the three teachers live. Jill has also emailed special internet links sites of interest, and sent beautiful photos of her garden (see above) which many of the students have used as subjects for painting...but personal photos were a little harder to come by, which is partly why this posting--begun in October of 2007--is actually being finished in July, 2008! Those who are reading this now will have already read the post, "Waiting", explaining the reasons for the delay--which I will compose just as soon as I publish this one! (this is dizzyingly like being trapped in a time-warp, weaving unfinished old into the new) but here, finally, is public acknowledgment and heartfelt tribute to these two women who have shared so generously what they have with us.

The following slide show was created from pictures taken of the students working from a series of wonderful art craft books from Jill and Julia. I will add that they are well-thumbed by now!

* very sorry, the slide show has been lost.  Bubble Share closed down in 2009, no doubt sent notices but I was distracted, did not pay attention as to accessing the file before they became unavailable.

Marion's First Day

"There is only one solution if old age is not to be an
absurd parody of our former life, and that is to
go pursuing ends that give our existence a meaning
--devotion to individuals, to groups or to causes, social,
political, intellectual or creative work.
In spite of the moralists' opinion to the contrary,
in old age we should wish still to have passions
strong enough to prevent us turning in upon ourselves."

--Simone de Beauvoir

Located along the shore of Port Bonbonon, Negros Oriental, One Candle Schoolhouse has often been blessed with Guest Teachers from the visiting yachts. Marion Fletcher, from the yacht TENACITY II, has most recently joined us, introducing wonderfully lively ESL games to the students.

Marion and her husband, Keith (a rock climber, chemist, and boat builder of merit), are completing their fourth circumnavigation. We first met them briefly in 2000, when they passed through the anchorage just as we were arriving. They were on their way to Thailand, and it was there that Marion discovered her talent for teaching. "Keith had noticed a recruitment advertisement for ESL teachers and said I'd be good at it...little did he know that it would become my passion!"

Seven years later, needing a safe anchorage while Keith attended to business in Australia, they returned to Port Bonbonon. "Oh, I kept hearing about your school from other cruisers," she said when we met again, and immediately offered to help.

TENACITY II will be moving onward in a few more months, but in the meantime Marion's passion for fun and education is enriching us all.

Piglets!

"I want pig because very nice except the meat. My favorite color of the pig is a white and I want to care of it if it is small. I want to make a food for it so that it is not getting hungry. "

This is part of a story, written by Reynalyn, that Mizzy read while visiting the Philippines from England, which inspired her family's (and our guest teacher, Sue James') generous donation of piglets for our three youngest students.


Hi, my name is Mizzy. I’m a visitor of the One Candle Schoolhouse because I’m on holiday at KooKoo's Nest. Nearly every night me and my parents and friends all sit in the sea and have a pineapple juice while watching the sunset. This is my favorite time of day. It is very funny watching Barnie, our friend’s dog trying to fish. He tries every day but has never caught anything!

This is a painting of what I saw where we are staying.

Here are the stories of Reynalyn, Roselyn and Jayfer's experience:

The Time That We Get The Pig In Antulang

By: Richel, Ryan and Reynalyn Jandog

On Sunday afternoon me, Roselyn and Richel, ride on Jaid’s motorbike to Tambobo, One Candle Schoolhouse. When we arrive Ma’am Diane said to us, “We go to Antulang to get a piglet”. We all ride on the dinghy from school to Kookoo’s Nest. Reynalyn told me, “I felt so nervous when I rode the dinghy of Ma’am Diane!”

We are now in Kookoo’s Nest and seated on the bamboo chair. Ma’am Diane ordered us soft drinks. Then we drink it. It makes my thirst vanish away. We rest a few minutes then after that it is time to go. Nikki and Jamie go with us to get the piglet in Antulang.

We walked together until we arrived at our main destination, the house of Marie Fe. Then we saw her feeding the piglets in a bamboo cage. Ma’am Diane and Nikki were taking a picture of the piglets. “Are those four piglets the ones we are going to choose?” Roselyn asked. “I think so,” I answered her. Marie Fe asked Jayfer if he likes the Dalmatian one, but the rope that Allan brought was too big to tie the neck of the piglet, and he did not bring a sack. So that’s why Roselyn got the Dalmatian one, Reynalyn got the black one, and Jayfer got the color brown one that has a spots. Marie Fe put the piglet into the sacks for her. Allan borrowed another sack to Marie Fe. Every pig that Marie Fe put into the sack for us Ma’am Diane takes a picture of it.

The three of us are ready to go home happily, but first Ma’am Diane is going to pay the piglets. I help Reynalyn and Roselyn to carry their piglets to Kookoo’s Nest. When we arrived at Kookoo’s Nest we rested a few seconds on the beach, waiting for Nikki and Jamie. They will use their big dinghy to give us a ride to NE-AR-NE. We are very thankful to both of them for giving time to us to get the piglets and bring us home. Ma’am Diane tied the rope of her dinghy to Jamie's boat. And she gives us 100 pesos each for the feed of the piglets.

When we are going home she let me handle her camera to take pictures of Roselyn and Reynalyn’s piglet. Ma’am Diane cannot go with us because there were people waiting her in our school.

We are so lucky to have this opportunity to have a free piglet.

“THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO MIZZY WHO GAVE MONEY TO BUY TWO PIGLETS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH MA’AM DIANE FOR HELPING US TO GET THE PIG! TO SUE WHO BUY ONE PIGLET FOR JAYFER IN THE NAME OF HER NEPHEWS, AND THANK YOU TO NIKKI AND JAMIE FOR HELPING US TO GET THE PIGLETS AND SEND US HOME SAFELY!”

The Story About Piglet

By: Roselyn G. Tubato

February 20,2007 I went to Reynalyn and Richel’s house and to ride a motorbike with Jaid to Tambobo. We are going to One Candle Schoolhouse. Ma’am Diane and my company ride in a dinghy to Antulang to got the piglet in Mariefe’s house with Jayfer. Before going to Mariefe’s house we rest and drink cokes in restaurant of KooKoo’s Nest. Then we walk. When I see piglet I happy.

Now I feed booster every morning, noon and afternoon to my piglet, I pitch water to take a bath and also to clean the cage. My piglet name is Dayana. This piglet come from my classmate in One Candle Schoolhouse name Missy, she is a foreigner I’m very thankful to her. Missy, I am very happy the piglet you give me and the piglet you give, is so fast to eat, any kind of food I feed.

Jayfer’s New Pig

By: Allan Lajot

Last February 24, 2007, before the day he received the pig, Jayfer was feeling excited to have his own. He wasn’t interested before but now, when Sue’s nephews, Jim and Sam, gave him a pig, he likes to have one.

At night, he always asks me “Kuya, unsa ka dako nang baktin?” (“Brother, how big is the pig?”) Then I answered, “Wala ko kabalo.” (“I don’t know”). He went to the kitchen where my mother is and said “Naa na ko’y baktin” (“I have a pig”). “Naa bitaw, pero bantay ug dili ka molalog” (“You have, but I hope you will feed it”), my Mother replies. Later, Mother asked me if Sue’s nephews supported the feeds then I said, “I don’t know.” Then we go to sleep.

Sunday morning of February 25, Father and Jayfer repaired the pig’s house while my Mother asks me to go to Siaton to buy some feeds. But before I leave, Jayfer asked me, “Kuya, pagdali ug palit ug lalog kay hapit na ta mogikan.” (“Brother, hurry up in buying some feeds because we’re nearly to leave”).

When I return, I brought a 20-kilo of tahop, which I think will last up to 1 month. Jayfer is joyful, “Kuya, lantawa!” (“Brother, look!”), pointing to the small pig’s house. The pig’s house was very nice and no bigger holes that can let the pig out, which make me smile. Then I said, “Dia na ning lalog” (“Here are the feeds”) “Mao ni lalog sa akong baboy kuya?” (“Is this the feed for my pig, brother?”) He ask me then I said “O…Mao na” (“Yes, that is it”)

After our short conversation, because Jayfer walk slowly when we go together, I ask Jayfer to go ahead to wait at the Boslot Bay, near Kookoos Nest, and I will take him to there. And then he does it. I take my lunch after Jayfer leave.

I follow him after 15 minutes or so and see him waiting impatiently while watching the dinghy of Ma’am Diane to reach the beach. He saw me coming so he shouted, “Kuya, naa na silang Ma’am Diane!” (“Brother, Ma’am Diane is here already”) when he saw the dinghy of Ma’am Diane reaching the bay. So, both of us walk towards Kookoos Nest. The tide is high so I let Jayfer ride in my back until we reach the beach. There, Renalyn, Roselyn and Ritchel sitting in a bamboo chair with Ma’am Diane, smiling when we arrived. We drink a soft drink while they are talking.

After a while, we started to move. We walk the dusty road until we reach the buying place (the house of Marife, employee in Kookoos Nest). Marife was feeding them when we arrived. Jayfer watch them and he pointed the ‘Dalmatian pig’ because he likes it and he wants it. But, unfortunately, he received the brown one. He feels sad because his pig is not the one that he likes best. So I try to comfort him so that he will not get angry. I said, “sagdai ra.” (“It’s ok”). After he receives his pig, which is the brown one, he felt ok.

We walk to our house first with our companies. Jayfer and I put the pig in a new house we repaired. The pig was running around in her new home and I think she was scared because its friends were far away.

Because it is so hot, our companies went home. Jayfer guided them to the road. When he returns, I ask Jayfer what will be the name for the pig because she’s a girl. He doesn’t have any idea, so I said to him, “Unsa kaha ug Mrs. Dotty?” (“What if Mrs. Dotty?”) So we both named her “Mrs. Dotty” because her color is brown with some black dots.

Until now, the pig is growing bigger and bigger. We both feed her every breakfast, lunch and supper. Not only Jayfer feels happy with his own ‘Mrs. Dotty’ but also the rest of the family.

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"...you ask, 'WHY?' "

"The point is not to do remarkable things, but to do ordinary things with the conviction of immense importance."

--Teilhard de Chardin

In 1996, Bill and I sailed to Austraila to begin a two-year refit of our gaff-ketch PILAR, in the lovely town of Maryborough, Queensland. It was there, in Barry White's vast old shed of what was once the Walker Shipbuilding Yard, that we became friends with Alan and Patricia Lucas. They had just begun building another boat, SOLEARES, which would continue their life- and livelihood afloat. In the sailing world, Alan is a well-known and respected author of numerous Cruising Guides; Patricia, his wife and partner extraordinaire.

It was the year 2000 when we set our anchor in the Philippine Islands, in Port Bonbonon, Negros Oriental, and casually began what would later become One Candle Schoolhouse.

Our first few months of Saturday School began in the small guest house we'd rented from NeArNe Restaurant and Boat Works.

It was to've been a space for us to continue boat projects, but it quickly became a classroom, filled with posters, colored pencils, games and books--all sent to us by Patricia and Alan.

For more than five years now, Patricia has not only been faithfully gathering and donating gifts to the Students of One Candle Schoolhouse, she's become a goodwill Ambassadress spontaneously telling friends and strangers about the children, touching the hearts of new friends for our school.

Awed by Patricia's unwavering commitment, I asked her in one of our exchanges of old-fashioned letters if she could explain to me why she has continued to remain so generously involved. She replied:

"…Maybe, deep down, I see what you are achieving with your kids, involving yourself so completely, as something I would love to do. Mainly, though, in the beginning, it was my love for you and a way of extending and enriching our friendship. Giving is joy, especially giving to those who are so grateful for anything. I remember, years ago, I asked you if soft toys would be useful and you said that they don’t need toys, they have their baby brothers and sisters! That really struck a chord. We are such a materialistic society; the simple pleasures are disappearing. My pleasure is in thinking and choosing what they (and you) would like or need.

One photo you sent me of the group
with those masks and whistles (Sorry Bill!) gave me such a buzz, I am thinking of framing it! That is all the inspiration I require; their pleasure.

We all need to be needed so when you say I am a part of the school, I glow.

I give others gifts, knit socks and jumpers and so on for the family and, quite often, hear nothing—not even a ‘Thank you’; one more present disappearing into the materialistic hole. I am not bitter about this, it is the way life is now, so your appreciation of anything I send is greatly felt…the warm glow spreads!

I find sending to you and yours an outlet for creativity. I certainly just love thinking of you all and wondering what would be suitable.
I usually get the box for you months before I send it. I see things and say, “Diane’s kids’ might like that!” and into the box it goes! When I ‘hit the button’ on something just right, it is a tremendous pleasure. Like the recorder...

—then Jill sending more—that was great! Especially as they were useful for the hearing impaired children—an extra bonus for me!

I can see how your school has progressed as the years go by, the way they have expanded as their knowledge and understanding of what they can actually achieve, their capabilities, has been enriched. I love being part of the school (as you say) and when Leonila emailed for Australian dance info, I was so thrilled! That makes me even more a part of the school..."



"...a part of the school," indeed. One Candle Schoolhouse has been so blessed with loyal supporters that it has become more of an extended family than a charity...and "the warm glow spreads!"

Thank you again and always, Patricia and Alan!

IN MEMORY OF Welnar P. Rivas (August 7, 1993 to March 13, 2007)

"...the mystery of life lies in the unexpected twists and turns that we meet along the way. Just when we thought the road is paved and smooth we encounter a bump that forces us to take a detour to some rutted, potholed street...yet, the beauty of it is that before we stumble upon that roadblock, we are able to have a life. We are allowed to laugh, to cry, and to exist the way we want to..."

--Nicel Jane D. Avellana
Cancer Survivor

My Name is Welnar P Rivas; I was born on August 7, 1993
in San Jose, Sursogon.

My mother sent me to school in Siaton, at Felipe Tayco Memorial School.
I have a problem for hearing and I can’t talk but
I go to school. I get hurt because of my situation. My aunt Jocelyn knows that there is
One Candle Schoolhouse in Tambobo. So my cousin brings my picture
and asks if for me to be a student of this school
because I want to know how to use the computer.

In One Candle Schoolhouse there is a donation to solve my problem.
I receive a hearing aid and that’s a big help for me. I learn many things like drawing, painting, and designing eggshell boxes.
I’m so happy to be a student in this school
because all the students are understand my situation.

Painting by Welnar

Last week, Welnar was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was a passenger on a small motorbike, riding to his regular school in nearby Siaton. In rural Philippines, this is the local mode of transportation. It was a tragic accident, the driver not noticing the turn signal of the utility truck ahead of him before trying to pass. In the collision, Welnar was thrown and hit his head. Though Siaton has a hospital, it is only equipped to do X-rays. He was taken to Dumaguete, ninety minutes away, where he died.

During the same week, published in Dumaguete's weekly paper, the MetroPost, columnist Nicel Avellana mused how it would be if everyone were given a book at birth titled, How to Live. Within this book would be advice for each individual on which paths to take, and their consequences. She postulates that if we did have such a book, "...we wouldn't have to keep guessing whether the decisions we make are sound or not."

Given such a book, Avellana then goes on to wonder how her parents would have reacted to the information that their newborn daughter would develop cancer at the age of twenty-six. She imagines they'd search for cures, become depressed at the odds given in the late 1970's, then "probably treat me like china...not allow me to have a normal childhood...(hoping) the prediction would somehow reverse itself." She even adds that they might have even "thought twice" about having their two other children.

When I first read the column, I wanted to share it with our niece whose six-week old daughter had just survived several surgeries, due to bile duct failure. Though the spectre of brain damage and a liver transplant still loom in little Tatum's future, she was home from the hospital, "eating and laughing and pooping" like a normal child. Wonderful news--but it was easy to imagine for our grandniece the author's feelings, that if her parents had known of her future cancer she, "...would have most certainly missed being a normal kid, and would have had to endure being fussed over at the slightest fall."

In the days following Welnar's death, I thought of how his mother, Rosalinda, widowed during her pregnancy, must have felt when her son was born deaf--and I realized that she had somehow found the grace to help her son "have a life...to laugh, to cry, and to exist the way (he) wanted to."

This blog was impulsively begun as a means to share the progress of the students with friends of our school. Grateful for a donation that made it possible to attend an event for Special Needs children and facilitate their Arts table , that first entry (Candle In The Park) promised to include more pictures in a later entry. Given that Welnar and April Rhine (our other deaf student) also participated in the games that day, it now seems fitting to close the circle by including in this memorial to Welnar, those children whose lives were also affected by "unexpected twists and turns."

Field Trip

The third day in December, we go to Dumaguete to attend the Norwegian Disabled Care Foundation to share our talent in other children.

The student in OCHS they are all happy when teaching the disable children. I proud in the disable children because they have talent to show people.



by John Mark Dominisac

Allan Lajot writes:

It’s very hard to teach a differently-abled child but they can do what you think they can’t.

I was very pleased with their great
performances. They made me think of how different people do different work.

One Candle Schoolhouse students

helping GP Rehab students
making some tie-dyes.

This is what the children made

When we go to Dumaguete I saw the children sitting at the wheelchair. When I look at them they are sad but they can do like what we can do because I can teach them to do tie-dye and make a flag with shell.

Charlie Palallos

Mia sewing her flag

with Richel

Because Welnar and April Rhine are hearing-impaired, they were allowed to participate in the special games organized for the GP Rehab students.

Here, Rhine is fitted with a safety harness by Jufer before she begins to climb the wall.

Normally shy, it was delightful to see her bold ascent.

Then it's Welnar's turn.

He was very
excited,
because he had been looking forward to this event all morning!

"Every pearl
is the result of an oyster's victory
over an irritation"