Philippines: Protestant teachers offer an alternative to street children in Bangalan

Manila - For more than 20 years Fario Juliet, a former Baptist student of the Adamson Catholic University in Manila, has assisted children of the poorest areas of the province of Bangalan (North of Manila) free of charge.  Through courses ranging from six months to a year, Juliet and ten other teachers allow them to attend elementary school and most importantly to find an alternative to the streets.  

"In my neighbourhood children under six years of age roam the streets alone - says the teacher - their parents are at work and there are no public schools in this area."  

After abandoning his studies in chemistry and working in a shop for several years, Juliet decided to establish a group of volunteers dedicated to education of children. For the first six months there were only five, but over time other children joined the class. Thanks also to the involvement of families today there are more than a hundred pupils following the lessons. Juliet says that "this is my little help to them. I try to provide children with the tools for a proper education".

Despite her Protestant faith, Juliet says this is the fruit of the lessons she received at Admson University, where she had been fascinated by the quality of Catholic education. The teacher adds: "What I learned at university has led me to try to transform society and help others to become instruments of change with me."