Are you a fan of trekking off the beaten path, through forests, passing grazing caribao and little vegetable patches as you climb uphill to remote hillside villages? No its not the foothills of the Himalaya, its here in Cebu. This was our journey to reach Cancabalong Elementary School in the hills above Obo and Mantalongan. After the road ends its still another 40mins trekking to reach the small settlement of Cancabalong. It consists of a small number of villager’s wooden houses, a chapel on one hill, and a school on the hill opposite. A huge fir tree dominates the bowl in between with its vegetable patches producing food for the inhabitants.

Cancabalong Elementary School has 2 classrooms, 2 teachers, and 51 pupils ranging from Kinder to Grade six. Mam Robelyn teaches Kinder, Grades I II and V in one classroom, and Mam Regina teaches Grades III IV and VI in the other one.

We brought Teachers Packs incl. class record books, stapler & staples, manila paper + illustration boards + cartolina for making visual aids, pens + ink and markers. Glue, poster paints and brushes for art activities, plus pencils for the pupils. The pupils also received new toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap for their hygiene needs. A First Aid kit with much needed supplies was also provided.

We spent some time with the pupils for a short English lesson and they performed some of the songs they have been learning recently. Their smiles and strong spirit are amazing! I’m always impressed how hillside communities have such a thriving independent spirit of self-sufficiency and harmony wherever I’ve been trekking. This is something common amongst mountain people all over the world and one of the reason I love trekking and mountaineering. I guess its also pretty cool to be the ‘first foreigner to visit the school’ and the first that the children have met and spoken too, wow such an honour! I hope i didn’t disappoint them ;).

The school has basic facilities but the classrooms are spotlessly clean, colourful and organised thanks to the diligent work of the teachers, parents and local councillors. There is only one common toilet shared by the boys and girls, so this is something we will look at as part of out future development works, adding separate toilet facilities for male and female would be great.

Thankful for the blessing of huge smiles from the kids and teachers we returned to Obo uplifted and motivated to continue our development work. If smiles were a currency, then Cancabalong is full of millionaires. Salamat sa inyong sa sponsors. Big thanks always to our sponsors!!! Balik Balik

Visit our Facebook page ‘Obo Elementary School’ to see more photos. If you would like to donate just click the link on our website to go to our GiveAsia page! Your support will be really appreciated by our young learners!