She woke up at four in the morning and voluntarily did the laundry. Her mother who has been sick was still lying down together with her three sisters ages 4, 5 and 6. After doing the laundry, she cooked instant noodles for their breakfast. Seeing that there was no rice to cook, she thought of not eating breakfast anymore. She left their house at around 5:30 to go to school. After her class, she went to a nearby “carinderia” for her dishwashing responsibilities. She received P 40.00 for her whole afternoon service.

 

When her father died of Tuberculosis, she, at age 9, has become the secondary breadwinner next to her mother, a laundry woman. Despite of this, she still hopes that there is a future waiting for her. She is Josephine, one of the many poor urban children in Metro Manila.

 

Last June 30 and July 1, Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) Basic Elementary and ILC students were oriented on the Save a PO.U.C.H. Program of SISC. During the orientation, some beneficiaries from Daniel Fajardo and CAA Elementary Schools were present to receive school supplies.

 

After the P.O.U.C.H. video presentation, Ms. Gem Palo, the Head of Social Living and Global Education Department emphasized four premises of the video- (1.) choose to hope for a better life for unfortunate ones (2.) less for yourself, more for others and enough for all, (3.) live simply so others may simply live and (4.) sacrifice so you find happiness in sacrificing.

 

In a sharing, Monique Lanuza and Rian Joy Rotoni, Grade 3 students of Daniel Fajardo said that they are both very happy for the help extended by Southville. The two kids have been beneficiaries since they were in Grade 1. Monique has four siblings while Rian has one. Their mothers are both jobless while their fathers are plumber and janitor respectively. They would always remember Loise Anne Ferenal or their “Ate L.A.” of Southville who has been very kind to them especially during P.O.U.C.H. Day and Gift Giving.

 

SISC is a recipient of Adopt a School Program recognition of Department of Education (Dep-Ed) last November, 2007. Now on its 16^th year, the Save a P.O.U.C.H. of SISC has helped about 300 students every year totaling to around 5,000 children. The program provides beneficiaries with tuition subsidy, medical and dental assistance, school supplies and feeding program. The kids are treated to gift giving during Christmas. Each level from grade 3 to grade 11 SISC holds a special P.O.U.C.H. day where each student adopts a P.O.U.C.H. for a day and interacts with a beneficiary.

 

You too can save a P.O.U.C.H.! Adopt a P.O.U.C.H now. Contact Ms. Floribel Ferrer, the Save a P.O.U.C.H. Program Coordinator. Call 825-6374 loc 105.