A hardworking mother in a remote tribal area in the Philippines finds an answer to her prayers when a Christian school and OneChild partner enrolls her children so that they can get an education and dream of a better future for themselves — one free of the strenuous toil she endured.
Analy fills a can with water from a creek.
Parents want nothing more than to nurture, guide, and protect their children. And it’s fulfilling when they can provide for them and secure their future.
But for parents in poverty who struggle to buy food for their family or pay for medical bills in times of sickness, finding the courage to face these daily hurdles is challenging.
Analy, a mother of four, has had a life full of these challenges. She is doing everything to provide for her family but still falls short in meeting all their needs.
So, when an opportunity to help better her children’s lives came her way, she jumped at it.
A Strenuous Life in the Mountains
Analy, 39, has lived all of her life in Malungon, a town located in Mindanao in the southern part of the Philippines.
She comes from a tribal group called Tagakaolo, which translates as “inhabitants of headwater or sources of rivers and streams.”
Analy’s daily traverse through the mountains and rivers of Malungon made her body fit for all the strenuous chores and farm work she did.
She and her husband Raul grow bananas, root crops, corn, and other produce. During harvest time, they sell these for income. They bring loads of farm produce on foot to get to the market or to any household who will buy from them.
They have a horse that Raul bought a few years ago for the equivalent of $240. This horse is a lifesaver when they need to transport heavy loads, such as hauling gallons of water for their daily use from a spring that is almost an hour’s hike up and down the mountain.
Raul and Analy load up their horse.
Like in the old times, many tribal people in Malungon still prefer to use horses for transportation and other domestic uses. The majority of them endure this laborious daily life, just as generations before them have.
Many, like Analy, however, wish life would be different for their children.
Analy’s Difficult Life and Unshakeable Dedication to Her Family
Growing up, Analy did not have the chance to finish school, not even first grade. She was not able to learn to read and write and so finding a better job has been difficult for her.
At a very young age, Analy started working to support her 10 siblings.
“I helped send my siblings to school by working,” she says. “I carried heavy rice [bags] like a man.”
She adds, “I become the mother and father for my siblings because my father was irresponsible.”
When Analy and Raul decided to start a family, both of them worked on the farm. Raul also worked as a mason on construction projects. But since Raul got sick with a possible kidney problem, he can’t do as much work as he used to do, leaving her to carry the burden of providing food for the family and taking care of him.
Analy volunteers as a cook at Visions of Hope Christian School, which partners with OneChild.
“I will do my best to take care of my husband. I would do everything so I can provide for them,” Analy says.
In addition to selling fruits and vegetables, she pulls weeds from others’ lawns to make about $4 a day.
But there have been days when she didn’t have any income to buy food. Thankfully, they plant cassava and sweet potatoes that serve as their food to get them through those days.
Along Came Hope
Then one day, Analy learned about a school that helps children get free education, food, and school provisions. So, she asked her niece, whose child was already studying there, about it.
She then learned about Visions of Hope Christian School (VOHCS), which was founded 12 years ago by a nonprofit called Center for Community Transformation (CCT), which also partners with OneChild. Their mission is to provide marginalized children with a quality Christian education and to enable them to embrace their God-given purpose and reach their full potential.
Analy and a Child Champion prepare to cook some rice.
The CCT built schools in remote areas in the Philippines to give free education to tribal children. Today, they have two schools in Luzon and Mindanao, and both are in partnership with OneChild.
Analy hoped that her children could also get into this school.
Teachers at VOHCS heard of her interest in their program, and they visited Analy’s house.
God must have heard her silent prayers because in 2018, Analy’s child Jian got accepted. Eventually, her three other children Jason, Jenan, and Jilene were also accepted into VOHCS. It gave Analy tremendous joy and hope.
Kids Learn Patience and Endurance
Most students in the area walk to get to school. But the walks that Analy’s children take to the VOHCS school are longer and sometimes dangerous.
“I make sure I bring them safely to school because there are snakes (along the way),” she says.
Analy chops vegetables to prepare a meal for the kids.
“I am happy whenever they (the teachers) visit us in our house. One time, I got sick, and the principal visited me and gave me money to buy medicines,” Analy says. This gesture of the teachers braving the dangerous hike makes Analy and her kids feel loved and cared for.
Although their house is quite far from the school, Analy encourages her children to endure and have patience so they will achieve their dreams.
According to Analy, her kids are good kids. “My dream for them is to finish school.”
Volunteering As a Cook at School
Aside from quality Christian education provided by loving and committed Child Champions, children in VOHCS also enjoy free nutritious, hot meals. Every day, the school serves lunch to 230 children. And Analy enjoys volunteering as a cook.
“I feel happy when I serve these children food,” Analy says, “Even though their mothers are not around, I am here to feed them.”
According to the teachers, Analy is very committed to her role as an assistant cook. She is always on time. She also is just as committed as a parent and always checks her kids’ performance in school and joins all the school activities for parents.
Analy and Raul with their horse.
Analy was even recognized as one of the most active parents. The teachers say that she is a good example to other parents.
“I hope [other mothers] would also help and support their children. As the light of the family, they should be guiding their children,” Analy says.
Dreams Paired With Hard Work
Analy dreams of having regular work that pays well to provide for all her family’s needs.
“My dream is to buy a motorcycle because my children say they are getting tired of walking,” she says.
For now, Analy is patiently and diligently waiting for her kids’ hopes and dreams to unfold. It will mean taking more walks, but one thing is for sure — hope and hard work will bring them to places of success.
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