Aldazer is passionate about reading and writing . Since the pandemic began, he has already written the sea with more than poems in Tagalog, the first language of a third of the population in the Philippines, all of them on his life experiences. And writing helps him express himself without fear of being stigmatiz , since this -year-old young man has a problem with his palate that makes it difficult for him to speak, and that often makes him prefer to be alone than share his time with other people. . Aldazer suffers double discrimination, both because of his speech impediment and because of his status as Sama Bajau . He lives in a coastal area with his family, the typical Sama Bajau, whose main source of livelihood is fishing. As a male member of the family, his education is not consider more valuable than his ability to fish and earn money. And even with everything against him, he is not discourag from continuing studying.
But the global pandemic arrived and with it endless difficulties
However, his enthusiasm fell a little due to the coronavirus , where it does not seem that the situation will improve soon in the Philippines: “This pandemic has affect my father’s work and our family ties in general. Before, my father could South Africa WhatsApp Number Data go to home every day, but now he has to stay at his workplace and only comes home on weekends as public transportation is suspend. It’s also difficult for me because I want to go back to school and meet my classmates and teachers again. It’s been three months now and it looks like we won’t be able to return anytime soon, especially since the number of COVID- cases is increasing . When the coronavirus began to circulate we were scar and nervous. I was thinking about what would happen if one of my family members were affect by the disease. The fear of being discriminat against resurfac again. But for people like us, who have less or nothing in life, we just trust that everything will work out. I pray most of the time that things will get better in the future,” he tells us.
Facing changes: distance education for all
The current school closures and mobility restrictions due to the coronavirus have caus. A great change in the lives of thousands of Filipino boys and girls. And the students in alternative classes for the Sama Bajau are no exception to South Africa Telegram Number this situation. Since the community quarantine was imposed in Zamboanga City, all classes, both formal and informal, have been suspend. There are even students, like Aldazer, with a mobile phone, who have decid to share their lessons and assignments. With other students who do not have access to the network, thus making new friends. Meets with other children or young people once a week, or when necessary, so that these children can hand. In their homework or receive instructions from their teachers about upcoming activities. These sessions maintain the spirit of the in-person sessions and are carri out at the most appropriate time for the students, so that they do not coincide with their livelihood activities.
