Giving a bit of hope to support the studies of our future generation

I first heard about Abra from a friend. She's been exploring the province and in my desire to see one of the province's waterfalls, I learned how difficult it is to get around using public transport. She started relating stories of the lives of its people especially in the upland municipalities. Life in the uplands can be very basic, no electricity, weak mobile phone signals, and most of all, no roads. And where there's no road, people walk. (Imagine my friend's reaction about the cancellation of classes all over the country because of the nationwide strike!) As the next Academic year approaches, it will be good to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Abra who live this simple life. We chose Bacag Elementary School as recipient. It can be reached by trekking for two to three hours from Lacub poblacion. It is a multigrade school. Last year they recorded a total of 61 enrollees and this coming school year, they already have 70+ early registrants. The pupils come from Brgy. Bacag, and the nearby villages such as Sitio Lablabinag of Brgy. Lan-ag, and Brgy. Guinguinabang. Sitio Lablabinaag and Brgy. Guinguinabang are about 15-20 minute hike from Brgy. Bacag. Most of the time the children wait for each other and walk together to and from school. They bring with them packed lunch too. During rainy season, using an umbrella can be added weight to the already heavy bags they carry. The parents of these children are farmers. They have difficulty selling their produce elsewhere because of lack of roads. When it's not planting or harvesting season, they go mining by the river. They are the hard working kind. There are many more similar stories in the mountains of Abra. And we'd like to start with Bacag. Though it may seem as small step, we know that it will make a difference.