for Mangyan Students in Mindoro

An ongoing pandemic, hunger, and devastating natural disasters amplified the struggles the indigenous youth already face—forcing them out of the classroom. Despite the hurdles, they are not giving up on hope. They are determined to go to school.

Angel Poypoy is one of them. She dreams of a better future not just for herself and her family, but also for her fellow Mangyans in Sitio Sinariri, Oriental Mindoro.

“I want to become a doctor. Every time I see someone who is sick, it pains me. I want to help them,” Angel shared.

Like Angel, many girls and boys in their tribe dream of a better life. Even before the pandemic, they would walk down the mountains just so they could go to school.

Teacher Arnel Villesa of Sinariri High School witnessed the hardships of their students, “They would walk two to three hours just to go to school. They also need to work; they need to earn money so they can support their schooling and help their families.”

On top of the personal struggles of the students, they continue to miss quality education opportunities because of the lack of classrooms. They had to divide the rooms using thin wooden partitions.

Can you imagine how difficult it is for students to concentrate on their lessons while hearing noises from the other side of the room? Angel and her schoolmates have endured this situation. And now that they are back to face-to-face classes, they are once again faced with the same dilemma: overcrowded and uncomfortable learning spaces.

Thankfully, your support to Operation Blessing has blessed the schools and students with new classrooms! Operation Blessing partnered with the Local Government Unit of Mansalay to reach one of the farthest areas in Mindoro and build two additional classrooms for Mangyan students.

To students like Angel, the new classrooms are a symbol of hope. A symbol that dreamers like her can attain formal education and become a doctor someday, “This is very important for us so we can have better classrooms and not be compressed in small rooms. Thank you so much, Operation Blessing, and to everyone who helped us!”