Report by Brenda Dimain

Being new in this field of work, I was confused and unaware of what I'd be doing.  I have experienced to work before as a community organizer conducting trainings and seminars to communities where the beneficiaries are also minorities. So when one of the staff of NCIP (National Commission of Indigenous Peoples) in Zambales offered me this program, I didn't think twice because I know I have already experienced working with indigenous people for 3 years.

But when I started this literacy program, I began to notice that giving trainings and seminars are different from teaching basic lessons to tribal people.  As the days passed, it became more challenging and more difficult. It takes so much patience and understanding in dealing with their moods, cultures and traditions. It also takes a lot of sacrifice to both the students and the activator. You must be supportive with their level of comprehension and always have a word of encouragement since they sometimes lost their hopes.

We started our sessions last June 2000.  I have gathered 8 adult students aged from 22 years old to 75 years old and 4 children as pupils' pupils.  Out of these 8 students, 2 are categorized as Level 2 students according to the Department of Education rating system. With these 2 students, they have reached elementary education up to grade three.  But they now know how to read Tagalong words and are able to write names and words.  This is because they have already attended a Department of Education adult literacy program in their area three times, and also through practice and their children were able to teach them. The others also attended the same literacy program but they have slower comprehension and understanding compared to the other two.

As the program progresses, the students are now able to write their own names and spell it out.  They are now starting to read words with 2-3 syllables like for example: ba-ka, i-ba-ba, ba-ba-e, etc.  Sometimes they forget the pronunciation of these words, but it takes time and always reminds them to review them again and again until they become familiar with the letters and words.

With regards to their writing, the others already know how to write legibly.  They know how to count from 1-100. They can recognize shapes but are not familiar with their names in English and Filipino.  They have learned how to add and subtract numbers up to 2 digits.  And as of now we are already studying on how to tell time.  All of these are my experiences and activities that we have been through.

May your foundation continue to extend your support and help to other needy minorities who have the ability and capacity to have a formal education.  I know that our Almighty God will bless you and your agency for you have a heart and the desire to uplift the dignity or our brothers and sisters in the tribal community.  Thank you.

Brenda N. Dimain
Activator