Help That Goes Beyond: Taking Care of Each Other the Mano Amiga Way
Mano Amiga Academy has become the Gerero family’s second home. Mark or “Daddy Mark” as everyone calls him is the academy’s full-time custodian and the all-around man. He even jokes around saying the only thing he hasn’t done in Mano Amiga is becoming a teacher.
Daddy Mark’s Mano Amiga story started back in 2008. When Erica and Jonard, Mark’s kids, were still very young, a new school opened up in their community. It was Mano Amiga Academy’s first temporary school in FTI Taguig. Mark took the opportunity to enroll his kids to Mano Amiga Academy since it was very convenient as the school was within walking distance from their home.
From then on, Mano Amiga has become a huge part of Mark and his family’s life. Erica and Jonard became Mano Amiga scholars. After a few years, Mark became a part of the Mano Amiga staff helping us out with everything from welcoming students and teachers, processing documents, cleaning and organizing the rooms, in short,taking care of the school.
As the Mano Amiga takes care of Mark and his family, in return, Daddy Mark takes care of the school.
“Sobra sobra ang naitulong ni Mano Amiga sa buhay ko, sa family ko. Malaki at marami, yung di mo na mabilang kung gaano karami ang natulong samin ni Mano Amiga. Una, yung scholarship para sa mga anak ko napakalaking tulong talaga nun sa family ko. Pangalawa, bingyan ako ng pagkakataon makapagtrabaho sa Mano Amiga. It's a big privilege to work at Mano Amiga, alam mo yung ibibigay mo lahat ng kaya mo sa Mano Amiga”
Daddy Mark shares that as kids are nearing college years, they will soon leave Mano Amiga Academy. “ The best talaga yung Mano Amiga kahit wala na siguro yung mga anak ko dito, gusto ko pa rin mag-work dito. Dito na siguro ako magreretiro.”
Mark’s story is a testament to Mano Amiga’s mission, help that goes beyond, not only bringing quality education to scholars but also helping their families and community find opportunities for sustainable livelihood. Cultivating a culture of helping one another, lifting each other up.