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Twenty Years LaterDave Dryden — Oakville, ON Back in 1986, Marilou Mendones-Cruz and Cruzette David were give SCAW bedkits.
Marilou and Cruzette report that the gift of the bedkit was an important event in their young lives. They remember some items including the bedsheet, mosquito net, and blanket. There were no school supplies in the bedkit as they remember it, but they did receive a folding metal bedframe. As they grew out of their bedkits items they passed them on to younger sisters and nieces. The blankets that they were given then, are still in use today! When the school year begins on June 4, they will each have classes of approximately sixty students. Marilou and Cruzette affirmed the importance of the bedkit items to their students. They especially like the school supplies! During the afternoon’s distribution of Vista Verde, two other former bedkit recipients identified themselves to the SCAW team. Rosette Balaba had received a bedkit six years ago, Rejie Carreon was given her bedkit one year later. Both reported that their favourite items were the T-shirts and shorts. Rejie, the eldest of four siblings commented that when she outgrew the clothing items in the bedkit they were handed down to her younger sister. I enjoyed talking with these former bedkit recipients. Their stories reinforced our belief that the gift of a SCAW bedkit is important to a child. We continued our practice of asking for feedback from the parents of current bedkit recipients. At most distribution sites caregivers are interviewed regarding the appropriateness and quality of each bedkit item. As we have heard from other countries, parents are hoping that at least one of the T-shirts is white so that it can be worn to school as part of the school uniform.
“Ito” as he is affectionately known, was a longtime friend and confidante of my Dad. Ito regaled the SCAW team with many “Murray stories.” I have come to understand the reasons for their long friendship. I hope to maintain this bond. |
Today, May 18, 2007, in Antipolo, just east of Manila, both are grade two teachers at the school where we are distributing 300 bedkits. It is exciting for the SCAW team to meet these women. Both are successful in their teaching careers. Marilou is expecting her first child in July. They are currently on their summer vacation (April and May, the hottest months).
On a personal note, this distribution to the Philippines has finally given me the opportunity to meet the leader of the Philippines’ Overseas Volunteers, Dr. Juan Torres Jr.