Teacher posts about his student’s condition amid the pandemic, extends his help as others follow suit

The pandemic has brought a new set of challenges not just to Filipinos, but to people worldwide as well. 

As the country is currently fighting the spread of the coronavirus, the Government had to impose lockdowns that require people to spend most of their time at home except for necessary trips outside.

With most of the establishments closed and the observation of social distancing as implemented, people started losing their jobs resulting in the lack of money to supply themselves for their daily needs.

This is what happened to one of Ethan Andrew Calla‘s students. He received a message from the young boy asking for help as they had no more money to buy food to eat.

“Si papa po kasi wala na po trabaho. Part time lang po, sir, kasi mahina na po katawan,” the student wrote to his teacher.

“Tatlo nalang po kaming nakatira sa bahay. Si papa tapos yung kapatid kong bunso.”

When the teacher asked the student how much he needed the latter answered, “Sir kahit ilan po. Malaking tulong na po sakin yun.”

Calla ended up buying a bag of grocery items for the family.

In his post, he said that whenever he receives messages such as this one, his heart just softens. Though people have no obligation to help them, they choose to ask and open up as they know that these individuals can offer a helping hand.

“I am lucky enough to eat 3 times a day, minsan pa nga more than that, but this kind of students need more care, love, and understanding. Kapag nalaman mo ang kwento nila, sobra tayong napapamangha sa katatagang meron sila sa murang edad. Kaya sana matulungan pa natin sila lalo na ngayong may pandemya,” Calla wrote.

He added that he’s posting their conversation not to gain attention but to raise awareness and show that others can help people who are in the same situation as the student is.

“We are living in one sky, so please share your blessings.”

In another post, Calla uploaded a video wherein he visited the student’s home. He can’t help but be emotional as he then realized how hard the latter’s life has been.

“Masakit na makitang nasa ganoon sitwasyon siya, pero bilang kanyang guro, ama o kuya kuyahan, pinalakas ko ang loob niya at sinabing madami pangblessings ang darating sakanya basta magsikap lang siya sa kanyang pag-aaral.”

He also thanked those who contacted him to offer some aid to the student and his family.

As of March 2021, there have been 4.2 million unemployed Filipinos. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the unemployment rate rose to 8.8 percent in February which is 0.1 percent higher than the past month.

“May expectation naman na mataas ang unemployment rate dahil marami ang pumasok sa labor force at [hindi] naman lahat nabigyan ng trabaho…. Mas marami man ang employed, tumaas din ang underemployment ng 1.3 million,” said National Statistician Dennis Mapa.