This week’s Brigada Eskwela in Dagat-Dagatan Elementary School had a rousing start despite the summer heat.   Navotas Mayor and Congressman-elect John Rey Tiangco led volunteers who were eager to lend a hand in preparing the classrooms for the upcoming opening of the school year.  The volunteers came from the DepEd, the School Governing Council, some private sector partners, PTA, the teaching staff led by Principal Florie Quijano, students, USAID officials and the Synergeia team.  They readily dirtied their hands with repainting school desks, sweeping and mopping floors, and dusting the books and learning materials.  Mayor John Rey worked on “perfectly” painting a school desk.

The USAID EdGE Program supported the Brigada Eskwela through donations of cleaning and painting supplies.  The USAID donated books and student kits.  Museo Pambata also donated books.

USAID Resident Legal Officer Maram Talaat gave a short speech during the opening program, and led the read-along activity for 60 children from Grades 1-3.  Yes, while the elders were cleaning, some children were gathered in the lobby to listen to “The Little Red Hen.”  They had fun drawing the characters of the story.

We quote Hebrew 13:16 “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased.”   It was a beautiful morning of doing good for others.