March 2013
We always seem to have an abundance of projects and the ever-growing follow-up lists from four board meetings a year. However, we also need to make sure we are doing our part in our community to make a difference in the lives of those who make up that community; They are our family, neighbors, friends and just regular “folks” like you and me.
We recently had an opportunity to do just that with a project that involved our “keiki” (children). In conjunction with our local Rotary Club, we adopted a 5th grade class at Kilauea Elementary School. This class had a specific need that we were uniquely qualified to fulfill. A new student moved from the Philippines to Kauai to live with relatives. He came from a remote rural village and was one of 11 children of parents who are farmers. There were many occasions where he would not attend school as he was “bullied” and was falling behind because of it. Maybe a new start in a different environment might make a difference. You can only imagine what it must be like for this child to be placed in a new school where he doesn’t speak the language let alone understand the lesson material.
What could we do to help? Enter two of our Housekeeping staff members. They volunteered to tutor this student as they both are literate in Ilocano and Tagalog which was critical for him to understand the material and translate it into English. Between the two of them they committed to going to the school three times a week for a few hours and helping him learn and adjust to this new environment. They did their part and we did ours by making sure they were on the clock and were paid for all hours spent in this endeavor. Where there was once a shy boy who spent more time looking down than up, he recently gave a report in front of the whole class in English! Our two mentors Ruby Lapilio and Lenore Domingo were recently honored in a school assembly with the entire student body present. I must confess I had a tear in my eye as they were given the loudest reception of any of the mentors by the audience as they went up to receive certificates of appreciation from the Principal and many lei from the students.
The program also involves providing monetary support for the teacher to pay for supplies and materials that many teachers pay for out of their own pocket. We will also host this class on site at the end of the school year and give them a tour of the property and the various departments that it takes to make it run. We will also provide lunch and of course ice cream is on the menu. Who knows there may be a future GM in the class who dares to dream what it would be like and has the resolve to make it happen. After all, her vision is just a dream with a plan. It doesn’t take much to make a difference every day.
03/18/2013
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