It all started once upon a time in February, a hot day as I was standing on a waiting shed waiting for my ride. It seems that almost forever before the first jeepney arrived. I took the front seat next to the driver, and this is where my journey begins.
On my way, while on the jeepney I have reminisced upon the training that I have been through as a Mobile Teacher. I had reservations if this has prepared me for this special day. As the jeepney keeps going to my destination, my thoughts continued to ponder on the “what ifs” of this vocation until I realized that after a while there is this reality that I need to face. Then, the feeling of anticipation grew as I alighted the vehicle. This time, I have stepped foot and laid my eyes on the place where I am expected function as a mobile teacher.
As I look at the place, the pressure got the better of me, my knees trembled, my hands sweat and my heart pounders fast. I can see the Community Learning Center (CLC) from afar. It was a small and simple purok hall. It may not be an ideal classroom but good enough to accommodate comfortably the expected learners. There is this idea that much is expected of me, especially on the huge responsibility of imparting knowledge to the community people. I felt extremely nervous; there were conflicting voices in my mind that says “you can’t do it” and the other that encourages me to stay positive. Different questions are playing in my mind; what if there is no one in the CLC waiting for me? “Should I go home?”, “should I stay and wait for nothing?” or perhaps I should do house-to-house and invite learners for my session? What if there were learners but unresponsive and has no regard for me, what should I do? Tons of questions juggled together with too much anticipation of what would it be. Despite of this, I told myself that this is what I am now so I must do it, live with it and do well out of it.
Nearing the CLC, it was so quite as if no one has responded to the program that I’m about to bring. When I entered the hall, all the anxiety washed away. It was full of people. They all welcomed and greeted me with respect. It was far from what I have anticipated. The Out-of-School Youth (OSY) and Adults who were supposed to be unruly and disrespectful turned out to be just the same to a regular students who are willing to learn. We had a good day and the session ended well. From that day on, it started my bond and friendship with my learners. The day also taught me a rich life experience that I have cherished until now. This is the day where it all begun for me, in that I could say “I’m glad I lived a life of a Mobile teacher.”-- Domingo Non
