A trip to the Philippines that left its mark
What happens when you travel to meet a project you've been involved in and raised money for? You get to see that it means something.
" Getting so close to another culture, nature and everyday life left its mark. I am left with strong memories, and I feel that we have all gained a closer bond and a more open mind. "
Before the winter break, 16 students and staff from Fjordane Folk High School to the Philippines to visit "Project Philippines". The project aims to improve the upbringing conditions for children and young people in the Philippines. On this trip, the students got to experience firsthand what this work means.
A school day at Lola Day Care Center
The Lola Day Care Center is home to the poorest three- and four-year-olds in Bogo. The parents themselves are part of the operation, cooking, washing and participating in various activities. This creates a strong community around the children.
We were able to participate in a completely normal school day. In our suitcases we brought stuffed animals that we had collected in advance from the local population in Nordfjordeid. The stuffed animals quickly found new owners, and several of the children carried them with them for the rest of the school day.
In the classroom, the four-year-olds practiced letters and numbers, sang together, and raised their hands when the teacher asked questions. The teachers were clear and had a good pedagogical approach. They were secure adults with a lot of love, knowledge, and care, which gave the children stability in an otherwise demanding everyday life.
After school we were able to visit some of the families. It was a powerful encounter with the reality of the slums in Bogo. We knew the families were poor, but this was worse than we imagined.
For many of the children, preschool is their first permanent place of residence. Experiencing this everyday life up close shows how important such projects are. Lola Day Care Center helps give the children the best possible start to further education and a chance at a better life.
From open fire to new kitchen
A little over an hour away is the Icon Hope orphanage. There lived orphaned boys from six to nineteen years old. We got to know the boys and participate in daily chores – everything from cooking, cleaning and caring for animals. In the evening we had dinner together and there was a good atmosphere with karaoke, dancing and singing.
At the children's home we saw concrete results from the funds we raised through Christmas in Fjordane. The boys have a new kitchen and laundry room. Previously, they cooked over an open fire. Now everyday life has become both safer and more functional. It does something to you to see concretely what the efforts at home actually lead to.
Family Day and cultural meeting
On our last day in Bogo, we attended Family Day at Lola Day Care Center. Born, parents and students from Fjordane Folk High School contributed with cultural exchange and features in an informal and warm tone. We got to hear talented young people play in a traditional Filipino orchestra. There was a lot of laughter and joy.
From Bogo to island hopping
After the week in Bogo, the trip continued to Coron and El Nido. Here the students got to experience a different part of the Philippines. It was four days of island hopping, snorkeling in turquoise blue seas and nights in bungalows on the beach. The crew was fantastic and we thoroughly enjoyed all the experiences there.
There was a great holiday feel to these days. At the same time, they provided space to be together, digest impressions and experience the country from different sides. For many, these contrasts became an important part of their learning.
More than a trip abroad
The trip to the Philippines is part of a collaboration Fjordane Folk High School has had Project Philippines for several years. The students have helped raise funds and have seen with their own eyes what has been done.
We returned from the Philippines with much more in our luggage than when we left Norway. This trip has given us new memories, new friends and a different perspective on our own lives. It actually helps to help, and people are people everywhere on our planet. This trip was an important part of growing – both as a person and as a fellow human being.
– I am returning home with strong memories, much to reflect on and a greater gratitude for what I have had. At the same time, I have gained a stronger desire to do more, says Simone, a student at the Movement X Modern Circus circus program.
Greetings from Ingeborg | Teacher in the Sewing and Knitting department
