Filipino Teachers in Jeddah Gives Free Classes to Female, Minor Wards at the PH Consulate in Jeddah’s Bahay Kalinga

Left photo: The female wards receive preliminary instructions before the start of the tutorial classes. Right photo: The female wards take lessons on basic English, Math, and how to read. (Jeddah PCG photo)

JEDDAH 22 January 2020 –– The members of the Philippine International School Teachers’ Association (PISTA), a Filipino teachers’ group based in Jeddah, commenced giving free tutorial classes to female and minor wards at the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah’s Bahay Kalinga on 14 January 2020.

The project is a joint effort of PISTA, the Philippine Consulate General, and the Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Social Welfare Attache in Jeddah.

PISTA President Cristina Dela Cruz said that the project is their group’s contribution to the Philippine Consulate General’s efforts to help make the temporary stay of distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), both adults and minors, at the Bahay Kalinga become productive and less stressful while awaiting their repatriation.

There were 18 female wards and four minors who attended the first day of the tutorial classes. Of 18 female wards, two are unschooled, four did not finish elementary education, and the rest are high school graduates and college level. Three of the four minors are children of female wards, while the fourth is the child of Filipino parents who are currently in prison for having committed an offense against Saudi law. The teachers gave the attendees instructions on basic English, basic Math, and how to read and write for the illiterate.

PISTA will be holding the tutorial classes thrice a week at the Consulate’s new community library. PISTA President Dela Cruz said that her group is ready and willing to conduct the free tutorial classes for the wards “for as long as the Consulate wants us to teach”. END 

First photo: The Departement of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Social Welfare Attaché Anna Oidem (center) with members of Philippine International School Teachers’ Association (PISTA). Second and third photo: The minor wards at the Bahay Kalinga receives instructions on shapes and colors from the members of PISTA. (Jeddah PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJeddah/.