Like a number of Daily Kos members, I am a teacher. I have been a member of the DKos community since 2008. I never found the time or courage to write, but three weeks ago, Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) wreaked havoc on the Philippines, my home country. I’ve lived outside the Philippines for the past 20 years, but my extended family is still based in Manila. Fortunately, none of them was affected by the storm. This, my first diary, is based on a short talk that I gave at the school where I work. My intent was to thank students and faculty for initiating a fundraiser on behalf of our local Red Cross chapter, which had sent workers to several towns in the Visayas (Central Philippines). I hope that this diary sheds a new angle on the devastation, and encourages readers to contribute to organizations that are aiding the affected areas.
I cannot imagine how the typhoon has altered the lives of so many in the central Philippines. My concern becomes more acute when I view this disaster from the perspective of a teacher. The Philippine education system is very basic when compared to those in this city. In the most humble villages, the local school will usually consist of one single-story building. Most students will have a desk to sit in, although in some cases, two students will have to share a chair, textbooks, and supplies. But, this does not diminish the importance that Filipinos attach to the education of their children. Education is seen as a means of social mobility. And, for many Filipino students, just as it is for many of you, the school is a place where they can learn, challenge their thinking, meet friends, and dream of a future.
Now that Typhoon Haiyan’s extent is becoming more apparent, a report from the Philippine Department of Education reveals how much damage was inflicted on the national school system.
The most heavily affected areas (Central, Eastern, and Western Visayas and parts of northern Palawan) encompassed 3,232 public schools. These schools counted 34,104 education personnel serving 1,031,824 primary and secondary students.
15 Department of Education personnel (which includes teachers, principals, and supervisors) were killed. Over 5,000 personnel were displaced; 929 personnel lost their homes, and 4,237 reported damage to their homes. In all, 4,492 classrooms need to be replaced, not to mention books, desks, and other supplies.
As the victims, five million of whom are children, try to recover and rebuild in the storm’s aftermath, students will return to schools that have been badly damaged or are no longer standing, and some will have to face the reality that their friends and teachers will no longer be there among them.
I appreciate the efforts of the International Red Cross, and I am especially thankful to the Faculty Association and Student Council for initiating this fundraiser. I hope that you find it in your heart to contribute even a small amount, because when these resources are pooled together, it can make a difference. It will make a difference to many of our fellow teachers and students. Let us do our part to let them know that they are not alone, and that there is still a bright future to look forward to.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many thanks to the Kossacks who have been writing about Typhoon Haiyan and the links between climate change and extreme weather. I did not write about it here, but it is an issue that should not be ignored. If you feel like helping, please consider donating to the International Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, or other organizations. A number of them are featured in NBC’s news site.