Jonna April Pacure, a dedicated daycare worker in the mountain barangay of Bala-as, Jimalalud, in Negros Oriental, sighed as she surveyed her classroom one afternoon. Tomorrow’s lesson will be about farm animals.
She glanced at the stack of Manila paper on her small table, ready to be transformed into cows, pigs, and chickens—no computer-printed images for her, not for her students attending school some five kilometers from the town proper.
Each animal would be painstakingly hand-drawn, a labor of love and a significant time commitment.
While her family slept, Jonna hunched over her drawings, her brow furrowed in concentration. Hours would melt away, which could be used for other activities or spent with her children.
Jonna remembered little Ann, her student, who squirmed during story time. The adult-sized chairs were too big, her little legs dangling uncomfortably. The other children were similarly uncomfortable, constantly shifting and fidgeting; their restlessness was a noticeable distraction. Her heart broke. She dreamt of a real Day Care Center.
“She would often self-talk the situation, “The children need comfortable tables and chairs. So they would enjoy their lessons.”
She pictured vibrant, computer-printed worksheets, readily available and engaging.
“I imagined children learning with bright, computer-printed worksheets, but the reality was starkly different. Learning materials were scarce,” she said.
“Yet, despite the lack of amenities. I did my best. I knew these children deserved better, and I am determined to give them the best possible start, even with limited resources,” she added.
But how much more could she do? How much more could the children learn if they had the essential tools they needed?
The hand-drawn farm animals were a testament to her dedication, but they also represented the glaring need for resources, proper furniture, and a computer – for a real chance to give these children the best possible start.
Development
News of the KALAHI CIDSS’ Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project’s (PMNP) arrival in Jimalalud was met with enthusiasm, as community members recognized its goal of enhancing child nutrition and development.
They thought the program offered a promising solution to the most pressing problem of their barangay- the lack of Day Care Center amenities.
Lailanie D. Cornelio, CNSPMC of Bala-as, knew that Kalahi CIDSS PMNP was their chance to finally equip the Daycare Center with essential amenities – child-sized furniture, a computer, and learning materials – transforming it into a true learning haven.
However, the first CNSPMC meeting was a trial by fire.
Concerns
Concerns poured forth – about timelines and whether their input would matter.
Lailanie listened attentively, carefully taking notes and acknowledging every concern. She understood that transparency was essential and that the participatory approach was vital.
The community did not just receive pre-determined amenities; they decided what was needed most and debated the merits of different learning materials.
She facilitated discussions, giving a chance to everyone to speak their ideas, which they considered seriously.
Slowly, the tide began to turn. Lailanie saw the willingness of community members to volunteer their time and skills in the way they started referring to the project as “ours.”
Collaboration
The KALAHI-CIDSS provided P125,200 in funding for the improvements, and in December 2023, child-sized chairs arrived, bringing comfort and focus to children.
Computers, printers, tables, and colorful, engaging learning materials replaced the scarce and worn resources.
Jonna remembered the days of hand-drawn worksheets and the children’s restless squirming on adult-sized chairs.
Learning was a struggle, hampered by the lack of basic amenities. But then came the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP), bringing resources and hope.
The PMNP recognized that a nurturing learning environment was crucial for early childhood development and prioritized the provision of essential daycare amenities. ###
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