Jamail misses school and friends

 

When the fighting in Marawi City ensued, 7-year-old Jamail had only one thing in mind: grab the dark green plastic envelope that contains his essential school materials and the certificate he received during his school’s recognition day.

 

Jamail should now be in the Grade 2 class but circumstances forced him to stop.

 

“We don’t have money,” he said.  Jamail’s father, Ali, was crippled on the day the clash erupted. He was at work, carrying gravel when he heard the gunshots. In his panic, he fell from the second floor of the building. He could not walk and provide for his family since then.

 

“I miss my school in Marawi and I miss my friends. When I was still studying, my favorite subject was Math. It is still my favourite,” Jamail said.

 

The Department of Education-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) reports that 22,714 students from 132 schools were affected by the Marawi crisis. Although efforts were made for the displaced students to go back to school, the recent report consolidated by UNOCHA shows that there is still a significant number of learners who are not in school.

 

 

Aside from missing school, the past four months have also been an adjustment period for Jamail. After they fled from Marawi, he and his family had to rely on relief goods to survive. They took shelter in Balo-i and had lived with several families in a tent. It was hot and cramped and uncomfortable, he said. About two weeks ago, they were transferred in a shelter site but his family needs mats, blankets and kitchen utensils.

 

Jamail still hopes his father will be healed. He looks forward to the day that he can go back to school and use the dark green plastic envelope he saved when they fled from Marawi. He hopes to attend to more recognition days and collect more certificates until he becomes a policeman.

 

 

“The needs of families displaced from Marawi continue to grow and World Vision is deeply concerned about the well-being of the thousands of children like Jamail. While much has been done to alleviate their suffering, there is more that needs to be accomplished,” said Rommel Fuerte, World Vision’s National Director.

 

The social welfare department’s disaster assistance family access card (DAFAC) system has recorded 359,680 people or about 78,466 families displaced by the Marawi crisis. Analysis of the data gathered revealed that 55% of the IDPs are children.

 

 

Fuerte added that World Vision is committed to working alongside government and other humanitarian actors on the ground. The organization has also partnered with five local organizations, namely Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefit (ECOWEB), Mindanaw Tripartite Youth Core (MTYC), Tapukan Farmers Movement for Progress and Concord, Inc (TFMPC), Lanao Youth Council (LYC), and Ranaw Watch for Empowerment Network (RAWATEN), Inc. to reach the underserved families, especially those living with host families in remote areas.

 

In the next days, World Vision will install women and child-friendly spaces to benefit at least 2,000 children and 2,000 pregnant and lactating mothers. Non-food items that include mosquito nets, mats and fleece blankets, hygiene kits, learner’s kits and breastfeeding kits will also be provided.

 

World Vision hopes to reach 3,000 families (approximately 25,000) in the municipalities of Munai and Balo-i in Lanao del Norte and municipalities of Lumbayanague, Piagapo and Marantao in Lanao del Sur. World Vision/October 24, 2017

 

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