MANILA, (PNA) — Volunteers played a big role in the current crisis in Zamboanga, helping in different ways, said Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary, Dinky Soliman on Sunday.
Among these were 30 volunteer teachers from various schools in the Zamboanga who are holding special classes from September 20 to 21 for the children currently in Brgy. Divisoria, Zamboanga City.
Some 71 affected families with 360 persons are temporarily staying at Division Elementary School. They came from Barangays Sta. Catalina (47 families), Mampang (16 families) and Talon-talon (eight families).
Kindergarten teacher of Balisawan Central School, Kimraza Irene Hadjirul said that it was a big help to the children when they undergo activities that will lessen or make them forget the trauma they have experienced.
“As teachers we know that these children have been through painful and difficult experiences, just like their parents,” says Kimraza.
More than 100 children aged from three to 12 years old divided into two groups – (three to seven years old and eight to 12 years old) in the evacuation center availed of story-telling session, film showing, feeding program, and other activities including painting, writing, reading, and artwork.
Meanwhile, free hair cutting sessions were also offered to evacuees at Division Elementary School provided by three haircutters who volunteered their services.
Children were also taught proper hygiene and provided with toothbrushes and toothpastes in ‘Oplan Linis’, which is being conducted also at the evacuation center .
“We will continue to conduct these activities in other evacuation centers as needed. This is our way of helping the government through our collaboration with the DSWD,” Sherwin Aputin, a teacher said.