Day care in a cemetery
CEBU CITY – At least 18 children, aged three to six are getting their early education in the most unlikely place – the Carreta Public Cemetery in this city that also doubles as their home. But unlike regular students cramped in their classrooms, space is not a problem for this batch as mausoleums being cared for by their parents on the
side are spacious enough to accommodate them.
On the day Manila Bulletin visited, teacher Mary Jane Uy was teaching her informal class to write, count and recite their ABCs. To pick their brains and hone their mental skills, Mary Jane introduces a lot of activities that the children love, a reason to look forward to another day in “school”. And there are stories, too that teach them values in life. The children likewise learn to share with each other whatever little they have during recess time.
This is Mary Jane’s sixth year as a day care teacher and has become accustomed to the peaceful teaching environment in Carreta and Chinese graveyards whose sereneness is only punctured by the laughter of her pupils.
The children are learning while their parents earn their living selling flowers, candles or making tombs for the newly departed.
Funding needed The day care program was initiated by the Action for Nurturing Children and Environment (ANCE) a non-government organization of the Society of the Divine Word.
And the Carreta day care is not alone. ANCE also supports another day care at the nearby Chinese cemetery likewise making use of spaces in the burial ground to hold classes for young idle children.
The writing, art and other materials for learning are being supplied by ANCE.
ANCE deputy director Rosemarie Dizon said that families who live in cemeteries are poor and need help. To date, Dizon said ANCE has educated 288 children from Carreta and 600 from the Chinese cemetery over the years.
Fr. Max Abalos founded the organization on 2005 through the help of MISSIO Germany and other international Catholic organizations. ANCE is registered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Securities and Exchange Commission in July 2006. The organization is still soliciting funds so they could help more of those in need in Cebu City.
Mary Jane says it is her way of helping less fortunate kids and she is most happy when she sees her students apply the things they learn in their daily life.
Aside from teaching, Mary Jane also acts as surrogate mother when her pupils are sick or suffer from stomach aches.
As regular students go on break on All Soul’s and All Saints day, so do the pupils of Carreta and Chinese day care who will help their parents sell flowers and candles. They plan to have a Halloween Party where they will dress as saints and have a family day during the Holidays.