Copper Open Pit Mines, Mina, Sipalay

I was able to see the Copper Open Pit Mine during my stay in Sipalay. I think it is from this mine that Mina got its name, short for "minahan" where the said mine is located. I was so surprised to see such a mine that looks like a lake. I was actually comparing to the mine I saw in Baguio which is very much different to this. I thought mines look almost the same.

As I was told, this mine was owned by the Bernardino's and that year's ago, the people especially the workers enjoyed the benefits which the mining company offered to them. The miners and other workers families were privileged to have 24 hours free water, electricity and transportation. This was also the only place in Negros which had theaters, gymnasium and other amenities for free. 

The company operated for a number of decades until it suddenly stopped operating during the start of year 2000 blaming it to "mismanagement". Privileges stopped as well but the most difficult was that on the part of all the workers wherein they became jobless. They moved to another place were they could start a new life while some stayed and did their best to survive. Houses have been abandoned, buildings were destroyed and the mining itself was in a total wreck. Mina was in a disastrous place at that time.

This was the ground where in the gymnasium and other facilities like the bowling house once stood. For now, the the ground served as a hang-out for drunkards (we saw empty bottles of hard drinks) and a garbage area.

An eroded side of the area due to rain.

I wanted to go down near the pit but I was told it was too dangerous. I asked if no one thought of boating but I was laughed out due to my innocence. Boating is not permitted due to the chemicals mixed with the water. Because the mine was deserted for so long, water filled in the open pit and became stagnant thus it became a "lake". Near this "lake" were the rotten company buildings and rusty parked vehicles used for mining. I was really excited to see these closely but my companions were killing my eagerness always reasoning out that it was dangerous. So, being new to the place I submitted to them.

Feeding Program

siblings sharing food

After hand washing, the children again fall in line near the food which will be served. Children usually want to be the first on the line because of their notion that they will be given first. They do not want to move even if they are taller than the others who are at their back. The team spends time telling them to find their height and avoid too much noise knowing that the area is already very noisy.  

Feeding is given to the street children (2 to 18 years old) once a day and five times a week. Often, street adults also join in but the team always give priority to the children especially those who attend the activities. Unfortunately, there are some who do not understand our objectives and leave us only with bad comments.  Again, a test for our patience!

Anyway, the meals given everyday are considered balanced full meals-with rice and viand. Viands are a mix of vegetables and meat of either pork or chicken. There are times also which we give soup, samporado, arozcaldo and pancit. However, even if pancit is given, we still prepare rice since most of the children ask for it.  Children appreciate viands with soup (sabaw) because they enjoy mixing it with their rice. Sometimes milk is also given after eating.

Anhawan Island

view of the island

I think Anhawan Island is the best destination we visited in Sipalay, Negros Occidental. No offense to Langub but this island really captivated me. It is an untouched island and dubbed as the Turtle Island because of its form perhaps. The island is about 4 or 5 km (i think and i forgot the name of the sitio) from Mina. It is a private and a virgin island owned by a humble descendant of a prominent family from the province who also allowed us to go with him. Getting there was not an easy ride because the road was not concrete. Only "habal-habal" can get faster through the rocky road as the folks said so we rented at least 3 and headed to the place. It was my first "habal-habal" ride which is a single motor with a seat extension behind to accommodate at least 4 persons including the driver and is more practically used in going up to high places.

approaching Anhawan Island by boat

Conquering fear...

We met the owner before we got on a rented small boat just enough to accommodate 10 people. I was a bit reluctant and was getting paranoid about the things that might happen along our way. We did not have life jacket of anything that we could use in case of emergency. Everyone was already in the boat so I jumped in there and just thought it is not everyday that I ride a boat anyway. The 10 to 15 minutes boat ride was like eternal. Every one were closing their eyes while gasping every time our boat went up due to strong waves.

We saw this native house along our way near the island. The owner said it was built by some fishermen and only use that for resting or or staying overnight.

Finally, we arrived at the beach and were welcomed by countless loud barks from the owner's dog along with its master's wife and son who generously accommodated us. 


Life there is simple like 50 years ago and only the owners live there with their pet animals. 

the smart dog..beware tress passers

We were toured around the island. We hiked up the mountain and went down to the other side where another spectacular view was awaiting. It was like a hidden paradise.

a signage posted on a tree

It was very hot but nothing stopped us from running playfully on the sand. The island has white sand and almost fresh pebbles and shells all around. 

pebbles from the sea

The water from where I stood which gave me goosebumps. It was very calm yet I did not know why when I looked down, it seemed the water was coming in torrent. It is the exact opposite at the other side where in the water was beating the rock.

the rocky side of the island

part of the island

the seemed to be kissing rocks

shells

sea urchin-tasted like sea

island animals

Anhawan Island during evening.

It is such a rare opportunity to see this untouched beautiful island. I hope its beauty will blossom even if it will be opened for commercialization.

Langub Beach, Sipalay

approaching Langub Beach behind the island

One of the beautiful beaches of Sipalay is Langub Beach located in Brgy. Nauhang. 

We left Mina early morning of January 2. The travel was not easy going to the beach because of the rough road our rented three wheeled cycle went through and our agony inside holding on not to bump each other's head. We stopped at an area and walked until we reached the sugary beach line where we had our time scampering around while searching for a place to stay. We did not dare try going to the rented resorts. Why so when we can enjoy without even paying.

It was an unpredictable day when we went. It was cloudy then became windy but still, the weather did not spoil our day.

resorts in Langub

Driftwood village

Langub beach is really a good place to stay away from the busy life of the city. There is no night life here or other commercially featured stores that could destroy the nature's beauty. It was good we brought with us some foods and drinks otherwise we will have difficulty looking for nearby stores . 

abandoned landscaped resort

Street Education

the mobile school

Hmm..what is street education anyway? Why is there a need for street education? 

Street education for me (basing on my few months on the street) is a non formal education which cater children who reach schooling age but never been to school, children who do not have access to education systems, out of school youths (OSY) or dropped out children. Through this non formal street education, in our case, street children are the one's who benefit from this program since we are located in a very big city. Most (street children) of them do not go to school so we bring the school out to the street.

 I think street education  program is an effective  tool in nurturing the children's self confidence and to help them overcome heavy loads of problems they encounter on their daily lives. Perhaps, this might be an answer to this one of the social problems of the country-to mitigate abuses, trafficking, exploitation in the country-if not totally eradicating it.

 Most often than not, street children are vulnerable to all forms of abuses, victims of drugs, trafficking and exploitation. They have low self esteem and are slow cognitively. Since almost all of them experience any form of abuse in their life, it makes their life miserable hence they are emotionally stress and puts their esteem to the lowest. They really need support beyond which traditional classroom and schools could offer. The reason why different lessons/topics are being discussed to them per session depending on the need of the children to boost their self confidence and help them overcome their burdens.

siblings learning together

 Our street education program catered two major depressed areas of Manila.

Education, Health and Psycho social interventions are the three main components of the program.

 Talking about EDUCATION on the street.....

Topics usually given to them are related to their rights, skills to protect themselves from exploitation and flexible yet enjoyable lessons with respect to the realities that street children are currently facing. 

Physical activities like sports and recreational games

are included in the lessons especially to those who did not go to school to develop their motor skills. The children are grouped according to their needs and capabilities. Those who know the basic skills like alphabets and numbers are separated from the ones who can read and write sentences are also grouped together. 

Solvent users and OSY (Our of School Youth) children

are also grouped together and are given special topics which will help them cope with their lives on street. It is important to inculcate and to create a positive attitude towards education. To do this, different approaches and techniques must be used like using attractive tools/materials or enjoyable activities or even children's experiences to catch their interest.

Following examples are some of the learning activities enjoyed by the street children during our sessions.

1. Games and sports
2. Storytelling
3. Writing
4. Reading
5. Speaking/ recitation/singing of nursery rhymes or mother goose songs by the smaller children
6. Counting
7. Role playing or short presentation
8. One on one tutorial

Our education program is open to every children. They are free to come and enjoy the activities. Regular beneficiaries who attend our activities on a regular basis is easier to monitor their behaviours. However, as facilitators, we cannot say no to a child who come only once or children who come occasionally. Most of these children whom we call occasional beneficiaries/clients are working to feed their selves and supporting their families. Some live in a farther area and only drop by when they see us. 

Unfortunately, there are some instances wherein these children who come occasionally are very reluctant to attend because of the presence of the regular beneficiaries. Encouragement and acceptance need to be strengthened again and again.

Our schedule is as follows:
Mondays and Thursdays we are in Area 1 while Tuesdays and Fridays in Area 2.
Wednesday morning is our off day. Wednesday afternoon is intended for paper works and team meetings.
Every Saturdays-is an alternate schedule for the Areas.
Sunday is also our off day.

Our daily routine runs this way:
Every morning is preparation for lessons and other activities. In the afternoon, we bring out the school to the street using the mobile school (a board with different educative panels) donated by the Mobile school. We leave the office at 12:30 and reach the area around 1:30 to 2:00 depending on the flow of the traffic. We fetch the children from their "home" (area where they live) and bring them to where we conduct our activities. They will form a circle (bilog) to pray first before having their regular exercises. Then, they wash their hands before we start our structured lesson.

Matletics Activity

UNCRC lesson