Mon, 20 Sep 2010

Permanent home inaugurated for Manila Waldorf School and Kawayan Waldorf School

By Raphæl Lazo

MANILA (NNA) – It began as a grey day, clouds always full of potential rain. A low-intensity tropical storm was in the vicinity of the country creating the apparently gloomy weather. The day, a Saturday, would otherwise seem quite inauspicious, except that it was to mark a very important day in the biography of the Manila Waldorf School.

The Manila Waldorf School, the only kindergarten to class 12 Steiner school currently operating in the Philippines (the Kawayan Waldorf School is the upper school of the Manila Waldorf School), was about to come into its own, just like the adolescent it is in terms of its life story. Finally, a proper home for the school had been found, and 7 August, was the day that marked the formal launch of the new, and permanent home of the Manila Waldorf School.

It was almost 15 years ago when the Manila Waldorf School began in the home garage of one of its founders, Mary Joan Fajardo. She, along with Bella Tan and Kathryn Perlas, and a few very daring and intrepid parents, took a bold step forward to start what was then a Waldorf pre-school. Over time, the school outgrew the garage and moved to Heroes Hills, which served as its home for almost 10 years.

This too was a house, converted to accommodate the school. It was here that the first building of the Manila Waldorf School was put up; a building that was purpose built as a school and not simply a converted house. While at this location, the Manila Waldorf School continued to grow. It was during this period that a group of parents started a study group that eventually gave birth to the Kawayan Upper School (or Kawayan Waldorf School). This too had to be located in a house, a different house from the Manila Waldorf School which continued to house the pre-school and the lower school.

During all these years, the dream of a permanent venue never died. Various attempts were made to seek a suitable and affordable location. Finally, under the management of the Board of Trustees, the school found a suitable site in a newly developing area just outside the city. The place is called Timberland and the proposed site of the school was near the top of a mountain that gave a spectacular view of the city below. Fundraising efforts and personal donations helped get the construction going. Debt was incurred and still needs to be addressed by the school community, but the dream of a permanent venue was slowly becoming a reality.

The great day finally dawned, 7 August 2010. A ceremony was held bringing together the school community, friends and guests. Mary Joan Fajardo, gave a brief biography of the school and other members – teachers and students – gave their best wishes. Hans Mulder, the special guest for the occasion, gave a blessing for the school. Hans is very much part of the school biography and everyone was thrilled that he was present and able to share his best wishes.

The ceremony was simple, the rain held off, the warmth, joy, and gratitude of the community on this special day can not be expressed: it had to be experienced.

Although the day remained grey with rain always threatening, nothing could dampen or darken the festival mood at Timberland, the new home of the Manila Waldorf School and the Kawayan Waldorf School. It’s good to be home.

END/nna/cva

Item: 100920-01EN Date: 20 September 2010

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