Preparing for the Long-term: Engaging Local Stakeholders in Zamboanga
In taking steps toward sustaining education initiatives within our partner communities, we look beyond just our learners and see value in engaging local stakeholders. During our visit to our indigenous Bajau partners in Zamboanga on May 2-5, 2018, this is exactly what we focused on.
Cartwheel Foundation, Inc. Program Officer for Education Charissa Lopez, together with local partner organization Ateneo de Zamboanga University-Center for Community Extension Services (ADZU-CCES) Director Loreta Sta. Teresa and Program Officer for Education Al-fatima Ahiyal, met with Barangay Captain Abdulzazi C. Hanapi and councilors of Barangay Kasanyangan on May 3. This is where the boat classroom of Angiskul ma Bangka (AmB) or “Classes in Bancas” Early Childhood Education Program for young Bajau learners is currently docked. To help sustain the said program, the barangay officials pledged to supplement the honoraria given to the Bajau teachers and committed to helping in boat classroom repair and maintenance. The next steps determined involve the signing of a memorandum of agreement with said barangay local government unit to ensure follow through of commitments.
Priscilla Alejandro, District Field Officer of the Municipal Social Welfare Department, also expressed willingness to support AmB long-term in a coordination meeting with Cartwheel and ADZU-CCES representatives on May 3.
Abdulzazi C. Hanapi (leftmost), barangay captain of Barangay Kasanyangan, and his councilors and staff meet with Cartwheel and ADZU-CCES representatives to discuss their commitments to support the education programs for Bajau for the incoming school year 2018-2019.
Consultative planning meetings were separately held with the Bajau parents in attendance. Parent-partners who are also learners of Cartwheel’s Adult Capability Building Program (ACAP) gave very helpful input, expressing their appreciation for the education programs of the children and their own. Apart from recommitting their service in food preparation for the young learners’ feeding, they also volunteered their time to consistently help teachers create indigenous instructional materials from resources taken from around their own communities.
Adult learner Wahid Abdulsaid (standing) explains their group output on their vision and plan to enhance the existing classroom to give space for a learners’ library.
Bajau parents and adult learners Digna Salahuddin, Aiza Baridji, and Lolita Bara (from left to right) share helpful suggestions through creative means in planning for the incoming school year.
Cartwheel is encouraged by the commitment from Bajau parents and local community stakeholders. Sustaining the education programs for both children and adults can only be made possible with collaborative action—reflecting the truest spirit of community.