Jeannie's School

Jeannies School
TALA, San Jose, Tarlac
News April 2007 Ford (Laguna) company employees have "adopted" this school and recently braved the total 88 meandering river crossings, there and back, on their annual visit, to once again meet the children and donate school supplies and goodies. This has become an annual event bringing pleasure to all concerned and is a real test of endurance for people and vehicles. Ford (Laguna) have decided to fund much neede renovations and the work will start immediately.
Jeannie's School was one of the three schools opened by EVACF on 10 April 2003. The school is located in a remote farming community in Tala, Burgos, San Jose, Tarlac, which involved NCIP and local officials, EVACF volunteers and their special guest - Gill Westaway, Director of the British Council in Manila - making 44 river crossings (in each direction!). Like other events earlier in the day, their efforts were rewarded by the welcome and sheer gratitude of the local community. Anthems were sung, prayers said and brief speeches made. But when the local mayor spoke of giving special desks, promised extra pay for the teachers and a new water system for the village, the whole room erupted with joy.	The new Jeannie's School building .... .... in its splendid rural village setting.
	Finally, Gill Westaway ceremonially handed over the keys of the building to local community leaders, and the EVACF volunteers reluctantly made their way back to Manila. This 2-classroom school, which will provide education for about 100 Aeta and Abelling pupils, was funded through the generosity of Jeannie Pascale of Texas, USA and the support of EVACF in Manila.
Gill Westaway, British Council Director in Manila, hands over the keys to the San Jose mayor (above).... .... to the delight of the local community (right).