Road To Valencia

Mar. 25, 2008 Newsletter by Tara C. Alverson

The road to Valencia takes you up into the mountainside of Southern Negros Oriental. Just North of Mt. Talinis resides the International Care Ministries Pre-School. It's about a 45 minute ride by jeepney or truck from the outskirts of Dumaguete City. I was asked to come along and take some pictures. Half way there we passed by the hot springs of Valencia. I remember the smell of sulfer seeming to stick to our clothes as the truck hurled through the warm mist of the mountain. The Volcano here humbly supplies the communities of Valencia with electricity driven by it's steam. The locals seemed kind, as they waved us onward toward our destination. When we arrived we took a short walk down a path to the modest school house made of bamboo and palm leaves. The children greeted us in unison, 'Good morning visitors.' Anie Tapuz of the ICM was there to give a test to determine what children would be graduating. It was a grueling 40 minutes of addition and subtraction, but they all seemed to have enough energy left afterward to give my camera some amazing pictures. This pre-school has been runnng for over 5 years, under the ICM Outreach Program. Some of the children and their parents walk over 4 Kilometers (about 2.5 miles) to get to school everyday. After a short lunch Anie and I began to climb further up the mountain. As the ICM asked us to survey a mother, Flora and her daughter, Rebecca, who attends the pre-school. The climb up to there home took us over an hour, and was more then 600 steps. To think that this was a daily routine for them was breathtaking. When we arrived to their small village community set against the green hillside we were welcomed by a cool breeze from the valley below. I can still see the three cows and a small calf roaming freely across the large field, as brightly colored laun-

dry fluttered on the wind. The chickens frantically scattered as we walked up the path to Flora and Rebecca's home. The mother grows wild strawberries here to sell at the market, seven pesos a handful. This is their livelihood. Strawberries are usually an imported delicacy, but it's cold enough up on the mountain to grow them. And they seem to sell very well in the local market. It's beautiful here, overlooking the ocean to the east. The coconuts and palm trees make for a wondrous landscape. I could stay here for more then an afternoon. Yet, Anie informs me that the village communities of Valencia are very poor and everyday can be a struggle. It is hard for them to get medical attention or medicines, and so often times they will resort to going to the witch doctor or village healer, which I have heard is not always successful. Tuberculoses is a major threat in this area. The ICM's Medical Outreach Team has been able to help out by visiting the communities here and other places in the mountains; distributing medical attention and medicines at no cost. Their help seems to lift a heavy burden from those that they are able to reach out to. My parents where able to send some coloring supplies, reading materials (English), along with a few toys, in which the children and their teacher seemed very thankful. I plan to return to the ICM Pre-School and on top of Valencia in a month or two to help out with the children. (If you would like to send something to the ICM Outreach Programs let me know via email and I can send you an address.) My artist apprentice's, Kevin and Jennifer of Under the Bridge, Cebu, painted a great mural on the front of the new ICM Center gate there. They had never painted before with any medium. It took us two and a half days. Despite the 90 degree heat and fast drying enamel paint, they proved themselves to have a talent. I think it was a good experience for all of us. I hope they keep on drawing. Little Blazela, the malnourished 10 month old baby girl, of last newsletter is not doing so well. The doctors found a hold in her heart, which has caused the malnutrition and the liver complications. They started her on medications, but everyday is a struggle for her and her family. It's hard to see the young suffer. I will keep you informed on her situation. I am still painting. I have included a few photos along with some pictures of the gate Kevin and Jennifer painted. Pagpipinta Sa Pulo: Road to Valencia; Tara C. Alverson / T.C. Artworks; 25 . March . 2008. Top Left: Sisters of Valencia Pre-School<br /> Top Right: Mountain view across Valencia<br /> Bottom Right: Elder building a fence for village community

Pastor Christopher, Kevin 14 years old and Jennifer 19 years old painting gate for the newest ICM Center, Cebu.

Top: No one could tell me the name of the huge-ish black spider with pointy long legs and nasty fangs. So I called him Mr. Bob, and I assume he's poisonous. Bottom left: View from Valencia trail. Right: Green bananas.

Photo's of Tara's artwork


pagpipinta sa pulo Newsletter © 2008 Tara C. Alverson. Reprinted with permission.