I miss my books

© World Vision 2008
by Karen Rivera

MANILA -- “I miss my books. I lost them in the flood, along with my notebooks and papers,” says 7-year-old and first grader Jerome.

Before the typhoon Ketsana struck, Jerome and sister Jasmin, 11, would pour over a book after school. “I teach him to read because he is really interested to learn. We would read children’s stories,” says Jasmin.

Since they moved in to a classroom in Bautista Elemetary School in Marikina, the siblings haven not been able to resume their reading lessons.

The classroom which they share with 30 people had been emptied out of books and teaching materials to make room for some 600 families that sought temporary shelter at the school.

Jerome’s family came into the evacuation center a day after the flood swept their home away. In the midst of the confusion and panic that ensued with the rising floodwaters, the siblings were unable to secure their things. They eluded death by clinging to on to their grandmother who swam them to safety.

While surviving the flood has been one harrowing experience for the siblings, getting back to their old life, is another thing.

“I miss school and my friend Wilmar. I don’t know what happened to him. I want to go back to school soon,” Jerome says wistfully.

It might be a while before Jerome would resume his studies since his school was also flooded in. But he may be able to take up his reading again in a World Vision’s Child Friendly Space (CFS) at the evacuation center.

As part of World Vision’s disaster response to Typhoon Ketsana, 5 Child Friendly Spaces have been established in Marikina, Pasig , Cainta, Pasig and Angono – areas that have suffered the brunt of Typhoon Ketsana.

Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) are safe structured places where children can play, interact with other children and learn basic skills to help them cope with their experience following a disaster or conflict through games, songs and dances.

It aims to provide psychosocial support to 1850 children to help them gain a sense of routine and normality.

Additionally, CFS is designed to create a supportive environment where children are encouraged to talk about their experiences. It also allows children to learn about disaster preparedness and teach them to identify support systems that are available in their communities in times of disasters.

At the first day of the World Vision’s Child Friendly Space, Jerome’s forlorn eyes light up when another child hands him a colorful poster. Crouched on the ground, he quickly scans the page and painstakingly read about children’s right.

As he saw his sister Jasmin heading his way, Jerome quickly rose and showed her the poster. In a corner, they find a quiet spot and settled in to read.
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For media interviews and visits to CFS please coordinate with:

Diwa Aquino-Gacosta, OIC-Communications Manager
Tel: +63 9209029167
diwa_gacosta@wvi.org

World Vision Spokespeople on Child Friendly Space and Child Protection
Cherry Marcelo, Ministry Support Manager and Overall in charge of CFS
Tel: (+63) 920 9319951
cherry_marcelo@wvi.org

Filomena “Minnie” Portales, Advocacy & Communications Director
Tel: (+63) 9175342165
minnie_portales@wvi.org