Note: This story was submitted by Cherel Cantay, a Field Enumerator from SDO Lamitan. Her submission has been edited for grammar and accuracy.
Before I start my story, I just want to express my gratitude for giving me the opportunity as a field enumerator to be part of the KaISA Reach Every Child Campaign. It was such an amazing challenge, adventure and achievement.
[The 20-Day Campaign to Reach Every Child] was a challenge for me. Being a teacher, as part of my career I already had experience with child mapping, but this activity is way [different] from the usual mapping activities. I was trained on how to execute the survey tool, but I still had doubts and felt pressure on the things that could possibly happen in the field. I had to travel for 15 kilometers from my residence since my assigned Barangays is in the town proper.
I had some difficulties in explaining the content of the survey and clarifying it to the respondents due to language interference since I am not well versed in the Yakan, Tausug and Samal dialects (used by the locals who were interviewed). The weather conditions, heavy rains, slippery roads, footbridges, community misconceptions on the survey as ayuda (cash assistance from the government), 4Ps or scholarship grants, encoding and uploading data through the KaISA Disability Information Management System (DIMS), using gadgets, [intermittent] signal, [unstable] internet connection, and data errors (which were later resolved) were some of the issues I was very concerned with. However, I was able to cope and overcome those challenges. I was glad to solve those concerns with my cooperative Team Leaders and [fellow Field Enumerators].
My experience in this campaign was an amazing adventure. I was able to visit new places, meet different people, learn new things, discover the reality of the learners’ situation at home and acquire different stories of children. Through this activity, I was able to see the situations of the children and how they were striving hard to continue their studies and some children who stopped schooling because of the [responsibilities that they needed to shoulder] to help their parents for family needs and expenses. Based on what I had encountered, it made me think that a teacher should not only see [what happens within] the four corners of the classroom but open their eyes and see the struggles of their learners at home.
I was lucky to be assigned in three barangays (communities) with supportive and cooperative barangay officials and staff, health workers and parents who contributed to the success of the child mapping. They helped me have [access to] the area and served as my guide, company and immediate translator of the survey tool in areas with Yakan, Tausug and Samal families. Without their effort and concern, this will not be made possible.
The KaISA Campaign was an achievement not only to the Team Leaders and Field Enumerators but also to the program organizers organizers and initiators [with the support of the Australian Government].
Through my courage and determination, I was able to reach 200 target respondents. It was a big achievement for me as an enumerator. Through this, I was able to witness the learner’s situation, meet children with disabilities and discover that there were still children who were left behind. [I am filled with] much hope and enthusiasm that the results of this survey will serve as the basis of cascading and implementing programs for inclusive education to benefit all [children in the Bangsamoro].
And I’m proud to say that I’m one of the enumerators during the 1st [20-Day Campaign to Reach Every Child]! KaISA ako para sa bata, para sa bayan. At sana magkaisa tayo para sa kapakanan ng mga [bata sa Bangsamoro]. (Translation: I stand for children, for our country. And I hope that we stand together for the sake of children in the Bangsamoro.)