EDITORIAL

Baptist Student Center, Epic
Struggle To Success

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Exactly 18 months ago, typhoon Frank struck Aklan with unprecedented fury and devastation. Some 53 people lost their lives thousands of homes were damaged, and other properties smoothened by nature’s fury. Properties worth billions of pesos were lost.

Among the ruins was a modest school building in Bulwang, Numancia, Aklan dedicated to nurture young adults in well rounded Christian education. The facility was housing 297 students, made of light materials could never succeed against gale force winds of 150 kilometers per hour. The day after June 21, 2008 lay scattered the books, tables, kitchen utensils and teaching devices all bathed in mud and other debris.

This episode is not peculiar to Aklan Baptist Student Center. In fact this has been true to all Aklanons hard hit by typhoon Frank. Although majority of schools have recovered, nevertheless scars left by the tragedy are still intact with leaking roofs, dusty/damaged textbooks, clogged comfort rooms and others.

In July last year, an appeal was made by Pastor Allan Satira of Aklan Baptist Church to Project Compassion based in Victoria, Australia to rehabilitate the Student Center building. Knowledge of the extent of devastation here in Aklan prompted Dr. Robert James Gray, Minister, Carmel Welsh Presbyterian Church, Sebastopol, Victoria, Australia to actively campaign for fund donation among his members and through his regular radio program.

Today, on the site where ruins once stood is an impressive P600,000 school building on a purchased 170 square meters school lot. This is a sterling testimony to the prayers and cooperation of local and international communities under PH 872, Project Compassion.

The project offers well rounded education that is Christ-centered and freely extended to youth from indigent families beginning at five years old. The classes are held every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays of the week on full scholarship until the child achieves college degree of his own choice. Christian sponsors are based largely from the United States, Australia, and United Kingdom. Australian-based project supports also Baptist Student Center in San Carlos City, and Cebu. Among their donations are Student Center building, transport vehicles, sound system, reference books, bible, and other publications.

Health and medical care are also extended to recipients who may need special surgical treatment in Iloilo City or Metro Manila. Nutritious meals and snacks are provided. School physicians regularly check on children’s health status.

Mr. Renato V. Fuentes, Project Director of PH 872 Aklan said that more people will be given greater opportunity to have access to this unique education program. The Director admits that the previous four years were difficult times but he looks forward with current rehabilitation efforts. He is ably assisted by Rev. Ulysses T. Castor, Senior Pastor of Aklan Baptist Church, seven volunteer – teachers and support of parents. Together, they were able to construct a three room temporary school building in September 2008.

Ribbon cutting and dedication of the new permanent edifice was done by Dr. and Mrs. Robert James Gray assisted by Hon. Prospero I. Templonuevo and Church officers on December 27, 2009. A humble reminder that from the ruins there is an epic struggle of people who remains undaunted by defeat or failure. /MP