Our pursuit for education is indeed limitless.
Education does not single one out; it does not demand a specific time or a specific place where one gets to attain it.
A chance at Education can happen even in the most seemingly bizarre of places, including inside a cemetery or among the dearly departed.
A mausoleum at the center of a Chinese cemetery holds classes in a daycare-center fashion.
The pupils are children of families who have been living for a while in the vicinity of the cemetery.
GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak chanced upon a culmination activity on the United Nations celebration.
The school is dubbed “Actions for Nurturing Children and Environment (ANCE),” a non-government organization (NGO) which has an accreditation from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the local government unit to nurture the development of budding learners.
Over 40 children, ages two years old to four years old, attend classes in the said daycare center.
According to Teacher Maryjane Uy, they have the permission of the heirs of the persons laid to rest in the said mausoleum who shared in the goal of the NGO to educate children of the members of a marginalized community.
Teacher Maryjane said that it has been 13 years since the advocacy of the NGO gave birth to the daycare center and is supported by a charitable institution in Germany.
School equipment, supplies, and uniform are provided free of charge.
There is also a feeding program for children twice a week.
Parents consider the program a “divine gift” because their children get to experience quality education for free and within the vicinity of their community.
However, the area might not be available for long.
It was learned that the management of the cemetery has directed the organizer to vacate the area to give way to a heritage project. The center has until the end of 2024 to vacate.
The children’s parents could only hope the school along with the opportunities that come only once in their lifetime would not be laid to rest.