A Call to Action: Magtaking Elementary School Needs Your Help

Dear Magtaking Residents/ Alumni of Magtaking Elementary School, As you all know, Pangasinan was hit by typhoon Cosme last May 17, 2008. The province was badly affected. But ‘badly’ is just a subtle way of describing how Cosme left our many kababayans roofless and the whole province without electricity. ‘Badly’ is simply classifying the tears of the Pangasinenses who lost their homes to the whirling winds of Cosme and schoolchildren anticipating for classes to resume. Literally and figuratively speaking, the province was groping in the dark immediately after the storm. The provincial government’s efforts, through the leadership of Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. (no politicking, just appreciation) are commendable for inspiring the Pangasinenses to stand on their feet again. Electricity, which was said to be reinstalled/reactivated after 2 months, took only a matter of 3 weeks to light up the streets and homes of Pangasinan again. Funds were distributed to schools for roofing and reconstruction of buildings so that children can go to school again. The sad fate, however, is that the aid coming from the government is not sufficient to at least fund the roofing of the schools including the Magtaking Elementary School (MES). Pupils of MES whose classrooms were roofless squeeze themselves in the school’s Social Hall. What’s worse, there are more than 2 classes simultaneously conducting their lessons in the hall. Imagine the scenario, 3 to 4 classes overhearing each other’s lessons – if they can still manage to learn given that condition. And when it rains, pupils get wet and soaked because the hall is without walls. Add the inconvenience of mosquitoes prowling about the hall and feasting on the arms and legs of our poor pupils. Imagine that, and get disheartened, if you have the heart. One of these pupils may be your sister/brother, niece/nephew, godson/goddaughter or your neighbor. In this regard, we wish to request for cash donations from Brgy. Magtaking residents and/or alumni of Magtaking Elementary School for the roofing or reconstruction (should it be necessary) of the school classrooms. (The photos are posted below.) Your donation, in whichever amount, will be highly appreciated, especially by these young men and women of our barangay. You may keep in touch with me thru my mobile number +639196177414 or thru email charine82@yahoo.com for your acts of generosity. I will dutifully relay your intentions or donations to my cousin (and the only female Brgy. Kagawad of Magtaking), Mely Valencia-Fernandez for your donation’s receipt. Please forward this to a fellow resident of Magtaking or an alumnus you might know of. Let’s not look farther to find someone we could help. Charity begins at home, they said, and then maybe next in your barangay, our own barangay. Anggapoy makatulong ed sarili tayon barangay no aga sikatayo lan lamang. God bless you a hundredfold! Best regards, (Sgd.) Cristine Charisse V. Fernando Brgy. Magtaking Resident