Nestled in a remote part of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Upper Paya Elementary School has been a sanctuary of learning since its establishment in 2003. With only 87 students and five dedicated teachers, this school serves 100% indigenous learners from the Subanen tribe, the most numerous indigenous group in the region. Despite its small size, the school has faced enormous challenges that once threatened the education and well-being of its students.
Before the intervention of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, the daily realities for students and teachers were daunting. Many students walked 12 to 15 kilometers barefoot through slippery mountain paths and river crossings just to reach school. This grueling journey often caused frequent tardiness and absences. Students arrived hungry, subsisting on simple root crops like cassava, camote, and gabi, or corn wrapped in banana leaves. Hunger and exhaustion made it difficult for them to focus or participate in class, with some even leaving to forage for wild fruits during lessons.
Compounding these difficulties was the lack of potable water. Both students and teachers relied on unsafe river water for drinking and hygiene, which posed health risks. Classroom conditions were also poor, with two classrooms unusable due to needed repairs, forcing multiple grades to share limited space. The school’s remote location, 36 kilometers from the district center, and limited budget further hindered progress.
The collaboration with YBH began through the initiative of Sir Ryan Madamba, Lead Implementer in Zamboanga del Sur and School Head of Supon National High School. Sir Ryan helped coordinate consistent donations of classrooms, ICT equipment, and supplies to nearby schools. Realizing that Upper Paya Elementary School faced greater challenges, he recommended the school to YBH and maintained constant communication with school leaders, including Sir Vandolf Cuna, to explore possible projects and support. Sir Ryan’s personal connection to Sir Vandolf—his former student from a humble Indigenous family—deepened his commitment to uplifting the community.
The foundation’s first major project was the installation of a reliable water system. This transformed daily life at Upper Paya Elementary School by providing clean water for drinking, hygiene, and sanitation. Students could now stay hydrated, wash their hands and teeth, and enter classrooms with cleaner feet—simple but vital improvements that fostered better health and learning conditions. Teachers also benefited from easier access to water, reducing the burden of fetching it from distant sources.
Building on this success, YBH implemented several other projects: a starter classroom to address space shortages, a feeding program to combat hunger, solar lights to improve learning conditions, and sandals to protect students’ feet on their long journeys.
Since partnering with YBH, the school has witnessed dramatic positive changes. Class participation soared from 67% to 90%, attendance rose to 97%, and tardiness dropped significantly. The Hapag-Asa Feeding Program ensured that students are nourished and ready to learn, greatly increasing their focus. These improvements have sparked increased interest among parents, with many wanting to transfer their children to Upper Paya Elementary and others planning to enroll them in the coming years. This reflects a growing sense of pride and hope within the community, which now shares stories of the school’s transformation with neighboring areas.
For Sir Vandolf Cuna, this partnership has been a journey of professional and personal growth. It has sharpened his leadership skills, teaching him the importance of collaboration, resourcefulness, and resilience. His advice to others seeking to create positive change through education is clear: prioritize students’ futures with genuine care, persist despite challenges, seek help when needed, and work together to ensure no learner is left behind.
Sir Ryan Madamba’s involvement has also shaped the school’s progress and his own perspective on community service. He emphasizes that effective leadership in education requires vision, adaptability, and action. His journey—from supporting schools in Zamboanga del Sur to championing Upper Paya Elementary—reflects a deep commitment to extending help where it is most needed. He encourages others to start with a clear vision, prepare for challenges, and build collaborative networks to create lasting change.
Looking ahead, Sir Vandolf envisions Upper Paya Elementary School as a true “Haven of Learning,” where Indigenous students not only thrive academically but become the first professionals to graduate from their community. He plans to continue working with partners like YBH to provide essential resources, making sure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Sir Ryan shares this vision, hoping that despite the school’s remote location and difficult access, the community will never surrender. He aspires to leave a legacy of transformed individuals, empowered learners, a culture of innovation, and inspired educators.
Together, their leadership and partnership exemplify how education can break barriers and change lives, one student at a time. Upper Paya Elementary School stands as a beacon of hope, resilience, and opportunity—proof that with vision, collaboration, and heart, even the most isolated communities can flourish.
