Where charity begins at home
They are the unsung heroes of Metro Manila’s elite private schools — the custodians, gardeners, canteen ladies and security guards who represent each school’s life and blood. Some of their names we know, others we don’t. Yet they serve us on a daily basis just the same. As they work long hours without want of recognition, one can’t help but feel that they don’t get the credit they deserve.
But at the International School Manila, things are different. Earlier this month, students from the ISM High School senior class thought that the best way to show appreciation for the school’s contractual employees was to organize a day of fun, games and prizes for eighty-five of their kids. With games like “The Boat is Sinking” and “Simon Says,” students as emcees and Chicken McDo for lunch, it wasn’t much different from a children’s party in honor of those who deserve a special day of their own.
For many of them, it was the first time they had ever visited the place where their parents work. The 10-year-old daughter of one of our school’s dedicated security staff, Jayzel Marie, didn’t let distance keep her from attending the event. She took a six-hour bus ride south from La Union the night before to arrive at our campus just in time for the event.
Jayzel joined others who made the most of their weekend, too. It being a Saturday, a number of ISM contractual employees were having their day off. Yet they reported to school that day, instead as mothers and fathers spending the weekend with their kids. So used to seeing them in uniforms and at their posts, it was a refreshing change of pace. It reminded the 50 of us ISM students present that our school’s contractual employees are far more than the careers they lead.
Among our group of students was ISM valedictorian Michi Ferreol, who had her confirmation earlier in the day. She made it a point to rush to school straight afterwards, ensuring she didn’t miss the event. What made the initiative all the more special for her was that it hit so close to home, noting that “sometimes those who might also need our help might only be an arm’s length away.” Sharing Michi’s sentiments, other volunteers were proud to consider themselves students at a school where charity begins at home.
As the day went on, the founder of the ISM Film Society, ISM senior Jae Min Park, documented the event for a video he presented to the High School student body. For Jae Min, art is “an instrument for positive social change,” adding “film is no exception.” Such student efforts aim to keep awareness of these issues alive, not least because they persist on a national scale.
As a high school senior at ISM, I couldn’t be more proud to go to a school that’s taking positive steps to alleviating these problems. Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, ISM has kept true to its mission of promoting a spirit of community service and social responsibility within the student body. It encourages its students to pursue their own initiatives for the causes that mean the most to them. This year’s senior class alone has initiated partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, Gawad Kalinga and Hands on Manila, not to mention this event in recognition of those who’ve given us their all. It’s encouraging to know that a school that has educated so many of this country’s leaders has adopted such a socially conscious approach to learning. We would be well served to have more like it.
Students! Why not organize your own events to show appreciation for your school’s contractual employees? These can take the shape of programs aimed at giving their kids a day of games and prizes, or take on an educational spin. They can also branch out into other occasions, like Christmas parties or fundraising drives as the holiday season nears. If you’d like to know more, or want to tell us about ways that students in your high school are giving back, you’re welcomed to e-mail me at levistel@gmail.com.
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The author is a high school senior at the International School Manila.
