Beyond the Classroom: A Day of Volunteering in FC Del Rosario Elementary School in Bataan

in Daily Blog4 months ago

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Hello dear Hivers! 😊 I’m @wanderelle and I’m so happy to share with you my life’s journey. It’s always a good day to try something new. I’ve been reading posts in this community for a while, and I finally decided to share a piece of my own story today. Hope you'll enjoy my post 💕

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As another school year begins, I found myself thinking back to a day that still makes my heart full. That was when I joined a volunteer outreach at an elementary school in a remote community in Bataan. We weren’t just there to visit. We came to play, teach, and feed the kids. It was one of those days that quietly changes you, the kind that stays in your memory long after the sun has set.

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FC Del Rosario Elementary School was small and located away in a quiet rural area, where most of the kids walk long distances just to attend class. Despite of this situation, we were greeted with bright eyes and wide smiles. The children were clearly excited for our arrival, and we were just as eager to meet them. Even if we didn’t know what to expect, we knew we were there to serve and share.

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We started the morning with simple games inside the classroom. No fancy materials, just laughter, running around, and shared joy. You could feel how hungry they were, not for food yet, but for attention, interaction, and the chance to be kids.

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After the games, we gathered them to watch an episode from Bayani, an educational series that teaches history through the stories of Filipino heroes. The kids were glued to the screen, their eyes full of curiosity. Watching them sit quietly and absorb every scene was heartwarming. They were genuinely curious and engaged, even without flashy animation or effects.

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Right after watching Bayani, we played Pinoy Henyo, a guessing game where the kids had to figure out which Filipino hero’s name was taped to their forehead. They laughed at each other's guesses and got surprisingly competitive. It was amazing to see how well they remembered the names and stories from the episode.

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From there, we moved on to The Boat is Sinking, a group game where they had to quickly form groups based on the number called out. If they didn’t match the number, they were out. It was really fun; lots of shouting, running, and friendly competition.

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Before the feeding program, we conducted a quick health check by weighing the kids. This part was really heartbreaking.

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Many of them were underweight, and we were surprised to find out that some who looked like they were in Grade 1 or 2 were actually older. The signs of malnutrition weren’t obvious at first, but they were there—quiet and sad reminders that so many children in rural areas are struggling silently.

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* Covered the child's personal details for privacy.


During lunch, we served them a warm, nutritional meal: Ginisang Monggo with Malunggay (Filipino Mung Bean Soup with Moringa Leaves). Nothing fancy, but it was probably the most complete meal some of them had in days. We also reminded them to wash their hands before eating.

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They ate happily and gratefully. It felt good to know we could give them even just one full belly that day. It wasn’t a solution, but at least it was something.

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The whole experience left me with a mix of emotions: grateful for the experience, yet quietly bothered by the reality these kids face. It reminded me of the importance of showing up, not just for grand causes, but for the small ones too.

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You don’t need to have a title or a big budget to make a difference. That one meal, one lesson, or one game might seem simple, but it can leave a lasting impact on them, and on us too.

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📷 Cover thumbnail created with Canva. Text and Photography by @wanderelle.💗


Thank you very much for reading my post 💖 Hope you enjoyed it! ✨
See you again on my next blog! 😊

Love lots,
Elle 😘

Elle

She is someone with a big imagination and spends her free time chasing new adventures. She shares stories inspired by her love for travel, food, and furry companions. Writing doesn’t come easily to her, not because she lacks ideas, but because her thoughts often run faster than her words. Her storytelling is a mix of lighthearted tales and personal insights, written with the hope of connecting with curious, kindred spirits. With a camera in hand and curiosity in her heart, she documents the little things that make life vibrant, even if her photography is still a work in progress.

If you enjoy reading her posts, feel free to upvote, leave a comment, share your thoughts, or reblog to show some love. Follow for more and stay updated on her future posts.

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Thank you for this great report how you played with these kids and also gave them food. And of course, it's also sobering to read how many of the children are malnourished.

Glad you appreciate it ✨ Even small deeds make great impact ☺️

Thanks for sharing this... And thanks for being there for the kids. What you did will have a great impact on them. 🤗

I trully appreciate your kind words 💖 Thanks for dropping by ☺️

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Thanks for recognizing these efforts @hivebuzz 💖

That's great @wanderelle! We're excited to see your accomplishments on Hive! We'll continue to support you to achieve your next goals!

This is a great challenge for all that cares to support children...

Yes, greatly, esp. malnutrition is rampant. What matters is that by helping them in even small ways we can, that can make a difference 🥰

awwwwww.. yea.. it's always good to spread the luv.. :)

and all those happpy, smiling faces..

That's right @chinito 🥰 Thanks for dropping by 😊✨

Seeing the kids smile is a testament of your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm. And it leaves a good impression embodying the love that you showed to them. Thanks for sharing this.

It's heartwarming to see them that happy 💖 Thanks for dropping by ☺️✨

This blog just proves that teachers are the molder of future. Thank you for hardworks, ma'am!

It’s amazing how moments like that can leave such a lasting mark on their lives. Thank you for sharing such a heartwarming story. The world needs more of that kind of love. 💛

Thank you very much for your kind words 💖 I truly appreciate it ✨

❤️❤️