Jovel’s moving tale: Hunger for education over hunger pangs

MANILA, Philippines – A junior high school teacher recently shared the story of a student who was having a hard time taking an examination – for the most heartbreaking reason.

“Today is our schedule for long exam. While everyone is busy answering their exam, one of my student caught my attention. Di kasi siya nagsasagot,”said  Jayvee Carampot, a Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) teacher at the Santiago National High School  in General Trias, Cavite, said.

https://twitter.com/Carampotpotpot/status/1095634128236498944

He initially thought that the student could not spare P1 for the test paper.

“His seatmate approached me na, Sir naliliyo po siya kaya di siya makapagsagot. As I looked at his eyes, naramdaman ko yung pagod at gutom nya,” Carampot wrote.

(Sir, he’s dizzy that is why he can’t take the test, said one off his classmates.  I sensed that he was so hungry and exhausted.)

“Sobrang naawa ako sa kanya because it happens not only once. Pilit siyang pumapasok kahit walang laman ang kanyang bulsa at tiyan,” he added.

(I pitied him.  He tries to go to school even in an empty stomach.)

The teacher recalled asking one of his students to get biscuits and water for Jovel because he could not leave the classroom while everyone was taking their exams.

“After niyang maubos ang biscuit at tubig, kinausap ko sya habang nag-eexam ang classmates niya, siyam silang magkakapatid at pangatlo siya. Construction worker ang papa nya at buntis naman ang mama niya,” Carampot narrated.

(After he finished the biscuits and water, I talked to him. I learned that he has eight siblings.. His father is a construction worker, while his mother is pregnant.)

The teacher asked what Jovel’s family would be having for dinner and the student replied: “Di ko pa po sure kung makakakain kami.”

(I’m not sure if we have something to eat tonight.)

“Para sure na may makain sila mamaya pagkauwi nya, ibinigay ko lahat ng binayad nila sa test paper para pambili man lang ng kanin,” Carampot said.

(To make sure that they have something to eat, I turned over the money collected for the test paper so they can at least buy some rice.)

“Naawa ako sa kanya, dahil minsan ay naging katulad niya din ako na kapos at hirap sa buhay, pero hindi yun naging dahilan para tumigil sa pangangarap.”

(I was once like him who was gripped by poverty, but still persevered to attain our ambitions.)

He ended his Twitter thread with a reminder:  “Kaya para sa mga kabataan ngayon gusto kong malaman nyo na you are blessed! Grab the opportunity na makapag aral na walang hirap. Maraming bata ang gustong makatapos pero pilit na pinapahirapan ng tadhana.”

(To the youth, I want you to know that you are blessed! Grab the opportunity to get an education minus the hardships.  A lot of children are keen on getting a good education but are being challenged by fate and destiny.)

The story inspired a lot of netizens who likewise extended a helping hand to Jovel.

“Regular na po siyang pinapakain sa canteen ng lunch, may nagpapaabot ng tulong financially, then yung ibang teachers binibigyan sya ng baon,” Carampot told INQUIRER.net on Friday.

(He is regularly being fed at the canteen, and he is receiving various forms of assistance from teachers and other individuals.)

Jovel, however, does not spend the money for his provisions. Carampot shared,

“Di niya ginagastos kasi binibigay nya daw kay mama nya.”

(He does not spend the money he receives, he gives it to her mother.)

The teacher said Jovel’s classmates also shared their blessings in their own little ways with donations of old shoes and rice.

Jovel’s story sparked support inside their school, but this touching story also reached other people who have hearts for giving.

Carampot told INQUIRER.net how an architect reached out to him on Twitter and inquired about ways to extend assistance to Jovel.

Eventually, the architect visited the school to personally handed out groceries and school supplies to Jovel which Carampot shared online.

https://twitter.com/Carampotpotpot/status/1097807649532309507

Jovel’s story touched Carampot’s heart and decided to share the student’s story to the world.

“His story touched my heart po kasi talaga. Bibihira na po kasi ang bata na katulad niya na nagsusumikap para makapag tapos kaya lalo nya akong napahanga. Naranasan ko din po kasi na tulungan ako ng teacher ko dati,” Carampot shared.

(Children like him are rare, persevering  to complete his studies.  I also experienced receiving assistance from kind-hearted teachers in the past.)

Jovel’s story captured the attention and hearts netizens, garnering over 9,000 retweets and 19,500 likes, as of this posting.  / gsg