The Judd Hendricks Memorial School

The Judd Hendricks Memorial School is located in Sitio Lumibao, Buhawen, Zambales, which is home to 68 Aeta families.  The people here depend on planting banana, sweet potato and sometimes upland rice.  Today, Lumibao has a two-classroom school, thus easing the burden on these families in sending their children to school.

The NCIP first began a dialogue with the local Aeta families in April 2002, during a medical mission to the area.  During this dialogue the people were informed about the possibility of EVACF funding a school building through the NCIP. They were very happy to receive the news and were thankful that their desire for the education of their children would soon be realized.  The project was also coordinated with the Office of the Municipal Mayor of San Marcelino and the department of Education (Dep.Ed.) to ensure that a teacher would be provided for the school, through the Municipal Local School Board.

The actual construction of the project commenced in November 2002 and was finished in time for its inauguration on 23 December the same year, except for some additional painting that was finished the following January.  

During the turnover ceremony, the late Judd Hendricks was represented by John Newton from San Antonio, Zambales, and several other friends also witnessed the ceremony. Representatives from the Dep.Ed. and the Local Government Unit were also present.

The school is expected to cater for about 100 pupils, and the NCIP San Marcelino Service Center continues to be responsible for following up the operational needs of the school with the Dep.Ed. and the Office of the Mayor, including allocation of a teacher and the provision of desks and other equipment.

(From a Report by Candida P. Cabinta, NCIP Provincial Officer)

The school building, standing solid in a spectacular mountain setting ....

.... and the toilet block ....

.... but not forgetting the most important part of the school - the pupils themselves and their families!

About Judd Hendricks:

Judd Hendricks donated his energy and knowledge as an EVACF volunteer for four years, and maintained an active interest in the work of the charity even after leaving the Philippines.  Sadly, Judd died following a traffic accident in Sarajevo in May 2001.  As a Korean war hero and holder of the Purple Heart medal he was given full military honors at the Arlington Cemetery in the USA.  His widow Eva Bull Lund and many friends, together with the EVA Charity Foundation, raised the Aeta school at San Marcelino in his memory.