Madmen join Work Camp
Three teachers chose to spend Christmas in Bais Family Farm School and nurture the poorest of the poor
Three Paref Westbridge School teachers chose to forget their families, and spent their Christmas vacation in the mountains of Bais City, Negros Oriental. While most people were busy shopping grocery items to fill their fridge for a prosperous 2008, Dennis Adolacion, Richell Cabrera, and Rodger Posanso stayed away from the laughter of home!
Christmas vacation is the best time for Christian families. For many, it is the time when all members are present after a year of work away from home. Not spending this season with the family while on vacation is indeed madness!
With 14 college students from different schools in Iloilo, one teacher from the University of the Philippines, a certified public accountant of SyCip Gorres, Velayo and Company, the executive director of Tuburan Study Center, and a priest, these teachers sailed towards the island of Negros. Reaching Bacolod City, they were joined in by another teacher and four more students from Tay Tung High School.
Together, they bussed to Bais Family Farm School. There, for five days, the team completed the perimeter fence of the school. They also created 75 concrete steps leading to the main road.
Bais Family Farm School is one of the farm schools founded in the Philippines. Its founding was inspired by the teachings of St. Josemaria Escriva. It influences a 20-kilometer radius in the locality. Built in 1997, it is now recognized by the Department of Education as an agricultural high school in Negros Oriental.
"In this farm school, we nurture the poorest of the poor. Most of the families here are below the poverty line. For such reason that the farm school education is offered totally for free," Dr. Rene Gayo, the school's board member said.
"Right now, the school is economically challenged. But, with constant prayers and financial help from concerned persons and institutions, we are hopeful to continue existing and eventually make a difference in the lives of the people in the area, " Dr. Gayo added.
It is for the same reason of making a difference in the lives of the people and formation that Westbridge School for Boys in Iloilo City exists.
Throughout the School Year, the Westbridge Catechism committee handles regular classes and manual work at the Sooc GK site. Last December 2007, Westbridge School facilitated the Gawad Kalinga and the Nabitasan Elementary School outreach. It also supported the campaigns of Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center. These, plus the school's scholarship program, are Westbridge's ways of heeding the call to help our less fortunate brothers.
Such acts of madness are very contagious that usually people cannot just stand and watch without lending a hand. The parents, the faculty and staff and the students of Westbridge are all behind the school's outreach projects.
Now, we should ask ourselves if we are not yet mad. But who are the madmen, in God's name? Those who wonder about it, or the others who do not?