24/07/2018
Dona Jeane Namalata
Dona Jeane Namalata is a Grade Six pupil at La Union Elementary School. She is the youngest of three siblings.
At only twelve years old, she and her older siblings already cover all the chores and responsibilities at home. This comes to no surprise as their mother abandoned them at an earlier time, leaving them in the care of their father who happens to be totally blind.
Under these circumstances, Dona and her siblings learned to adapt in order to survive. They became both the mother and the father of the house, doing all the cleaning, cooking, and laundry, all while taking care of their handicapped parent.
Their only means of income comes in the form of lovegifts from the church that their father works in as an instrumentalist. While they are very thankful, the funds they receive from these lovegifts barely cover their day-to-day needs. But the family has learned a long time ago to make do with what they have.
Despite their underwhelming conditions, Dona and her siblings still want to finish their education. In fact, they take turns going to school in order that the responsibilities at home would not be left out. This means that each of the siblings only get about 2-3 days school time, taking turns each, leaving the rest of the week to do household chores and taking care of their father.
Dona believes that despite the hardships she and her family are going through, she can still finish her education and give herself and her family a better life.
Pens for Children Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims to reach out to children in poverty like Dona, and to help and inspire them to pursue their dreams through education no matter the odds in life. If you have the heart to help out children like Dona, we would be more than happy to talk to you how. You can reach us with this number: 09092406634 or PM us here in this page.