Strangers maybe, but in the right place. Small projects such as painting even the wall of one classroom matters a lot for this local school, which is just what it needs. Nanda van Dijk (right), shakes hands with the local school head, Mr. Achilles Cababan after the painting jobs as Butch Carpintero, executive director of Batang Pinangga, and Kim Walgraeve look on. more photos>>If it had rained, like it is in the month of August, the foreign delegates would be walking in mud. Luckily the sun was up, and the young foreigners got acquainted with their new surroundings, spent time with the children, and explored the village of Barangay Triumfo.
From August 7 to 11, twelve Dutch and Belgian youth were guests of Batang Pinangga, being part of the delegation of MYX (Multi-City Youth Exchange) from the Netherlands and Belgium. The visit is expected each year since 2006 as part of the friendship ties between the cities of Cebu and Haarlemmermeer in Holland. This year, the ties have included Kortrijk, one city in Belgium. Batang Pinangga has become the group’s steady destination.
“The importance of the visit is the learning and the experience”, emphasized Nanda van Dijk, the group’s adult leader, during the call made to the barangay officials. Ms. van Dijk, a teacher, is with the program from the beginning and is happy for every experience each time as she brings new group to the program every year.
This year’s delegation composed of: for the Dutch, Nanda van Dijk, adult leader, Martinus Cornelis Schoorl, adult leader, Anouk Jacoline Andeweg, Louise Nathalie Grapendaal, Arlene Claire Meijino, Herman Wietze Hogeveen, Nienke Siebelink ; for the Belgians, Kim Walgraeve, adult leader, Ann Gruwier , Anne Braat, Aysel Voudeghinste, and Amélie Godefraidt.
