Roberto’s father is paralyzed and his mother currently goes into the city everyday to sell herbal medicines. Roberto recently asked his mother if he could go to school. She had to do what no mother would want to do. She had to tell Roberto he could not go to school as they did not have the money. Roberto cried at the news his mother gave him. When Gepher arrived at the tribe telling Roberto’s family about Hope for Tomorrow, there were more tears but this time tears of joy!
Roberto is 9 years old and in the 1st grade. The Philippine education system does not require students to attend Kindergarten before entering first grade. Roberto was one of those students who went straight into First Grade without attending Kindergarten. As a result he is behing in some of the fundamentals a child typically goes into first grade knowing (ABC's, Counting, Reading, etc).
Two weeks ago, we learned that Roberto had been absent from School. After speaking with the teacher it became clear to us why Roberto had stopped going to school. He was called on in class one day to read aloud. Because he could not read as well as the other kids in class, he became very self-conscious and embarassed. As a result, he had stopped going to school. Gepher and I were heart broken that a child would just stop going to school because he could not read and that his parents were not encouraging (insiting) he continue to go.
Gepher and I spent some quality time with Roberto and explained the importance of school and how just because it gets hard doesn't mean we can quit. We let him know that we would help him learn to read and read as good as all the other kids! Gepher promised to personally take him back to school and they would talk to his teacher together. Roberto gave us his heart melting smile and agreeded to go back to school and finish what he started...the first grade!!
He is coming to After School Program on Tuesdays and Thursdays where we are giving him as much individualized learning and attention as possible. We are commited to see this little boy be successful and fell confident reading in front of the class!!
He easily could have quit (as he had no encouragement at home to continue) but he didn't. He trusted his Kuya Gepher and Hope for Tomorrow that we would stand beside him and help him every step of the way. We are very proud of Roberto for facing his fears and getting back in school!! Because of this, we are awarding Roberto "Student of the Week"!
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