Contributed by: Joan Foo
So far, we’ve had most of our sessions for the two tutorial groups at the local tutorial centre in Montalban. It is a room that leaks even with the slightest drizzle. When it rains heavily, the children shout above the unremitting din of rain hitting the zinc roof just to hear one another. On dry days, it is littered with cat droppings. However much of a cleaning and refurbishment it needed, the room was our temporary venue until mid July, when it was taken up again by the original group of volunteers running tutorial sessions.
Since then, we’ve had some sessions outdoors, under a tree, surrounded by the cluster of neighbours and other inquisitive children. It is a lovely place when the cool breeze blows but terribly inconvenient when it rains and when we accidentally invade the space of the resident red ant colony!
One day, when it rained with the fierceness of the local monsoon rain, a member of our Balikatan ministry (our ministry to adults in Montalban) welcomed us in her house. It was amazing how 10 strapping teenagers squeezed into the 4 by 4 metre house! Even in the house, rain was coming through the windows and leaking at the corner. Halfway through the session, our electricity supply was cut off and our kind host provided us with candles. In spite of the inconvenience, the children participated fully right till then end.
Although every session yields its own unforeseen adventure, it is still the children’s undaunted joy and enthusiasm in learning that more than makes up for the various unconventional and unanticipated challenges. They prove that where the will is, there are no barriers to learning and growing!
We ask for your prayers as we are still looking for a suitable location for our Saturday tutorial sessions. We are currently seeking permission to use a local child care centre for the sessions for our teenage group.
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