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Monday, July 31, 2006
L’ ecole du coeur
THIS is what motivates Eric Nicolas and his wife in helping the parish of Argao put up a decent Catholic Montessori school for underprivileged children.
Nicolas is the head of French bank Zng Parizas, Fixed Income –Asia Pacific based in Hongkong.
He and his Filipina wife Virginia, spent P6.5 million from their own pockets for the construction of a schoolbuilding to house the preschoolers and elementary pupils.
For the Nicolas couple there is no stopping. to be able to accommodate more children, they have raised funds from their friends in Hong Kong and in the Philippines for the construction of more classrooms.
This is a school for the masses, children of qualified indigent families can study with a minimal tuition of P50 a month with free snacks.
Run by the parish, the St. Michael Parish Montessori Learning Center (L’ ecole du Coeur – a school of hearts) has now a population of 300 students from nursery 1 up to grade 4 and a teaching force of 11 Montessori graduates and Montessori-trained academicians.
Suzzette Dolino, OIC principal, said by next school year they will complete the elementary grades.
Dolino, a graduate of the only Montessori school in Cebu, the University of San Carlos Montessori,explained that under the non-traditional Montessori type of teaching being implemented in the school, the students “learn by doing.” All the modules are activity centered.
“We are happy for the positive feedback we receive from the parents and this is our consolation,” said Nicolas.
Such is the case of a grade four pupil known for his notoriety. Now he is very well behaved after his teacher gave him the responsibility of being a “big brother” to his younger classmates.
The Nicolas couple has experienced difficulties in their married life but their faith in God sustained them in raising their five children “towards the way they should be.” The couple really loves children.
Inspired by a man in France who set up several restaurants for the poor, Eric Nicolas said he had been dreaming of putting up a school for the poor out of his hard earned money.
“I was really praying to God that my dream be realized,” he said.
On the other hand, Msgr. Jose Montecillo, parish priest of Argao was also dreaming of putting up a Montessori-type of school in the parish. The lack of finances did not stop Montecillo from implementing his dream - he converted the abandoned office of the Knights of Columbus within the parish grounds for the preschoolers.
A visiting priest. Fr. John Rabideau who also helped the parish put up a 24-hour prayer room, provided the connection. Then Montecillo and Nicolas met for the construction of a schoolbuilding.
According to Nicolas, this has become their cause and she has arranged a meeting with prospective benefactors who are clients of their bank.The cause has spread, his sister-in-law has arranged for a similar meeting with their friends.
“I am happy for the way it is doing and we hope this is not our last project,” he said. (RVP)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 31, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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