Monday, June 6th, I started my first day of school at the local high school (equivalent to U.S.7th-10th grade), Holy Rosary High School. The school is, as some say, 'beautiful but ugly'. The teachers and students are friendly and helpful, but the school building itself is run down and badly in need of repairs.
When we went to the school for me to be enrolled, my mom and I noticed the big puddles of water on the floors. We couldn't not notice them. It had rained the night before and the roof had leaked. We had to walk through the water and my mom almost slipped and fell, it was so bad. I instantly started thinking, “What do the students do if classes are going on and it rains?” Well, this week it rained in the morning and the back of my classroom had puddles, so we had to move our desks closer to the front. The hallway was wet and kids were sliding down it for fun. We didn't get our books until this week. The library where they were kept floods when it rains, too.
Fr. Joe is trying to get the school roof fixed, but he must do it a little at a time, as funds allow. Another problem is that he won't be able to pay the workers enough for the work. The men will only get paid about $2 U.S. Dollars a day! Even here, this is way underpaid. My parents are starting to tithe some of our donated mission funds specifically for school repairs, but what is needed is a large amount given at once. Donations would be very helpful towards fixing the roof and other things that need repairs. Maybe one of you will feel inspired to hold a fundraiser for this cause. This could even be a youth group project.
Father is trying his hardest to keep Holy Rosary High School open. It is important to the members of the community who volunteer their time teaching and helping to run the school in a Christian way. It is also important to me as a student. I have made new friends and some seem to need attention from me and others. I am going to start a Bible study for anyone from school who wants to come. I think that, after a few weeks, they will benefit a lot from it.
Final Statement: Holy Rosary High School of Sagay, Camiguin Island, Philippines needs your help!!! Thank you!!! ~Maddie
