A Passion For Teaching

“Sabi nila [referring to students] sa akin na ito pala yung tunay na classroom. Habang ginagamit namin yung classroom, nakikita talaga nila yung ventilation. Nararamdaman mo talaga yung participation nila sa mga bagong activity namin na parang naiiba na talaga yung aura ng kanilang dating. At ang kanilang expression din nang makikipag-bahagi sila tungkol sa mga school activities.”

This Jose Oli Bermil, TICP of Fye Falel Integrated School. Jose grew a passion for teaching ever since he started teaching here in Fye Falel. “Naging passion ko na po ito kasi yung core values namin kasi ay naaanchor sa education.” Despite not being part of a tribe, he saw that the indigenous community needed help and believed that education was a solution. However, with a “shanty”-looking school, kids started to feel hopeless. The building was abandoned for quite some time, making it less and less conducive to studying.

With the new school in place, not only students but teachers feel more enthusiastic. The children now feel more inspired when it comes to their studies, most especially because the school is within their vicinity.

Both students and teachers excited to learn and teach respectively, Jose can now continue his passion. He has simple dreams for his students: to finish their studies. “Ang pangarap ko po ay simple lang. Makatapos sila ng pag-aaral. At saka sila na rin yung mag-serve dito sa community para ma-motivate nila yung kanilang tribo na mag patuloy sa pag aaral, at saka para sa kanilang magandang kinabukasan.”