Philippine Self-Help Foundation
A significant morning in the life of our Lighthouse Learning Center
Richard reports on his visit to the school on April 25th to see the children rehearsing their dance routines for the upcoming graduation ceremony and to attend an autism presentation by our two SPED teachers…………..
I am fortunate to catch a ride on the CeBus this morning as they only come by twice an hour; I was actually waiting for a taxi when it appeared. I get out half an hour later and board a smaller bus to take me to Bulacao on the edge of Cebu city. I am seated just behind the driver who is the one collecting the fares. I observe he has his collections (the notes) neatly placed between his ring finger and middle finger and the coins are in small tray on the dashboard.
I arrive at the school at 8:30 and greet Mary Blanche who is doing some administration work in the office. I proceed upstairs to join the Senior Prep children and the teachers in the Sky room, our largest classroom. The children are practicing their dance steps for the May 14 graduation ceremony and I join in. The dance moves are being shown on the TV screen but the children have their eyes on Teacher Fe for whom the moves are second nature.
During a break in the rehearsal, 6-year-old Anikka comes up and says “ hello, Uncle Richard…..how old are you? I explain that it is not so good to ask this of a grown-up. I then ask her how old her daddy is and she says he is 30 so then I tell her that I am a little older than he is; she seems content with my response! Other children come up to me at different times to tell me something of consequence to them. I always enjoy the inter-action with the children and I especially wanted to come this morning as it is just 3 weeks before our graduation ceremony and I like to know some of their names and character traits prior to their big day.
The children from the 3 Junior Prep classes follow on after the graduating class pupils. They are also practicing their dance moves in their respective classes for what will be their Commencement exercises on May 14. I am really impressed by the behaviour of the children; they sit patiently in their chairs until their teacher calls them up when it is their turn. When they dance, they are in step with each other and clearly having fun.
It is now time for the big event of the day namely our first ever autism seminar conducted by our two SPED teachers, Amariah and Khrystal. We have ten children with special needs in our school and we wanted to give their parents the opportunity to learn more about autism and to meet each other.
The power point presentation by our two teachers was most informative and I, for one, learned a lot; there was a Q&A time at the end. Some of the parents related their specific experience of having a child with special needs. One parent, Wena, speaks about her child; it is mostly in the dialect so I cannot understand much but I can feel the emotions in her words.
During our teachers’ presentation, I learn that autism is a life-long condition but early diagnosis can make a huge difference in the life prospects of the child. Autistic children can grow up to lead independent lives, have jobs and even get married. Teacher Khrystal spoke of one such person who became a barista in a coffee house. A common characteristic of children and adults with autism is that they are very detail oriented and need routine in their daily lives.
At the conclusion of the presentation, the parents leave the room to await their turn to meet with Teachers Riah and Khrystal to discuss the individual needs of their child. A tailored plan will be drawn up for each child. I join the parents next door and have a chance to talk with them, many of whom I had previously met at the Christmas party in December. Wena recalls meeting me ten years ago when her two eldest children were pupils in our school; she says I have not changed a bit!
I ask Mary Blanche to come upstairs to take a photo of all of us to mark this significant occasion in the life of our school and then I go downstairs to the Ocean room. Our other teachers who have been looking after the children of the parents upstairs trickle in and last of all Teachers Riah and Khrystal come in having concluded their assessments. It is my chance to congratulate them on an excellent presentation.
Richard Foster
April 2025