THE Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects has completed the construction of concrete benches at Marianas High School.
The project, according to MAFEA President Ariel Villanueva, is their organization’s donation to MHS. The 16 concrete benches, worth more than $12,000, were installed in waiting areas on the campus Villanueva said.
These include the hallway to the school’s main building and the drop-off area near the school’s main gate.
On Saturday, Villanueva, MAFEA Vice President Jojo Saracho, and members Hector Sevilla, Rick Ansay and Merly Mago turned over the newly built concrete benches to MHS Principal Jonathan Aguon.
Villanueva said the project is one of the ways MAFEA gives back to the community.
He said they decided to build more benches at MHS because they have seen many students sitting on the ground or on a log while waiting for their classes to start or for their rides to arrive.
“It is not safe for them, so we decided to contribute something for them,” Villanueva said.
He added that ever since MAFEA was founded in 1995, the organization has always contributed to the community.
He said MAFEA also plans to donate to other schools.
For his part, MHS Principal Jonathan Aguon handed Villanueva a certificate of appreciation.
Aguon said he was humbled by the generous donation and grateful to MAFEA.
“This is really a good example of how community partnership can be a powerful help to our schools,” he said.
The school principal, teachers, teacher aides and school staff are in charge of taking care of the students, Aguon said, but it is not just the responsibility of teachers and staff. “Raising and developing our children for the next generation is a community effort. And that is part of our culture as island people, that we come together and we support each other. I am very grateful to have MAFEA really embrace that,” he said.
Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects President Ariel Villanueva, third left, Marianas High School Principal Jonathan Aguon, M. Ed. center, and other MAFEA members, from left, Rick Ansay, Hector Sevilla, MAFEA Vice President Jojo Saracho and Merly Mago pose for a photo behind one of the newly built benches at MHS on Saturday.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
