This teacher from Calamba, Laguna got inspired by the community pantry in the country.
During the opening of classes last August 22, 2022, he decided to create his own version — a classroom food pantry!
Teacher Christian Marion Obo was behind this initiative to make sure that no one from his students will be hungry during their class.
“Sabi nga nila para bang ang sarap pumasok. Actually it’s not a surprise for everybody kasi nga actually nagagawa ko na siya before. Pero ganun na as in open for everyone. I always picture na talagang walang magugutom sa classroom. Kumbaga there’s no reason na hindi sila pumasok. I always tell my parents na wala kayong dahilan para hindi pumasok ang mga anak kasi, kung walang baon, hindi problema,” Christian told The Philippine STAR.
“As of now, medyo siguro nahihiya pa sila pero isang beses may lumapit sa akin, “Sir pwede po ba ako kumuha ng biscuits?” Sabi ko, “Pwede naman it’s all for you. It’s all free.” Sabi ko, “Anytime na magutom kayo,” he added.
Christian’s supportive friends, Dominic and Jenelyn, also made the project possible. His grade school friends donated P3,000 to start up the food pantry inside his classroom.
Christian said he wanted to help those who are in need after experiencing the same scenario while growing up.
“I guess it’s a payback time. When I was in elementary, I experienced na pumasok ako ng walang baon hanggang high school ganun din. Kaya sabi ko ngayong may kakayahan na ako, ngayong teacher na ako, ayoko ma-experience ng mga estudyante ko na ganun,” he recalled
“Before we were six in the family. And then si Nanay, Tatay before meron kaming carinderia. And then yun, kumbaga hindi talaga sapat. May times na napuputulan kami ng kuryente, that time nakakahiya talaga,” he shared.
He would store different food items inside his cabinet for his students who didn’t have the capacity to buy snacks while in class.
“Dati kasi nasa cabinet ko lang ‘yun, I discuss to my parents. Sabi ko sa mga magulang during our orientation na walang problema kung walang baon dahil madaling solusyunan ‘yung baon. Madali natin pwedeng magawan ng paraan,” Christian explained.
Christian hopes to inspire fellow teachers who have the capacity to help their students not just in academics.
“Kumbaga to be a teacher for me is a calling, not just a profession,” he said.
“Nakita ko rin naman kasi ‘yung passion ng mga teachers before. And they really want to extend their help to their students. And naisip ko na it’s really a good practice to continue and to serve as a model to my fellow teachers na even in little ways we can really extend our help to our students to push their education,” he noted.
Christian has been teaching at the Kapayapaan Integrated School in Calamba City for nine years now.
He plans to continue his project to aid struggling students.
“Kumbaga ripple effect na rin to. Sana maka-touch pa rin ng iba and then they also do the same once they meet or reach their success in life in the future. Syempre kumbaga siguro ‘yung mga single like me, siguro it’s very rewarding na parang meron kaming mga anak na nakatapos. So kumbaga these are students entrusted in our care, and we just have to give what we can give,” he said,
Those who wish to help can directly donate through:
Gcash
Christian Marion Obo
09177288705
