Janifa’s Story

When I was eight years old my whole family moved to Santol Binalbagan Negros Occidental. My parents sent me to stay with my grandparents, which was over 3km from the school I was attending. In order for me to get to school, I had to wake up early, cook rice over an open fire made from wood, and then go to the river for a bath. I did not have a lunchbox, so I would go to the closest banana tree and grab some fine leaves to wrap my rice. Most of the time, the only food available was dried fish that is grilled on the flame. The food had to be dry so that it would wrap easily in the banana leaf. I would then begin my 3km walk to school. There was not any form of transportation and shoes were not even available. Most of the children, including me, were wearing flip-flops. We did not have uniforms either.

It was so difficult not only because I had to walk five days a week back and forth to school (6km/day), but the most challenging part was not having good food for lunch. I was often felt embarrassed that all I had to eat for lunch was dried fish and rice, and I would hide it from the other children. Often the consequence of these challenges is that the children stop going to school.

Even until now, most children are suffering through the same problems as I did. For this reason, I started J&J San-Dalan. I want to help these children to ease their struggle. Many parents are not capable enough of supporting the needs of their children. The goal is to give the children free lunch five days a week until they finish primary school. I am hoping that this will result in fewer absences by children. The children can focus better on their studies if they will not have to worry about food for lunch. Also they will be able to eat healthy meals. And socially, they will not feel the embarrassment of having to eat dried fish all the time. Instead they will be encouraged to come to school and learn.