MARY ANNE B. COLAYCO
This quote is said to be the creation of Anne Isabella Richie, the daughter of writer William Makepeace Thackeray in late 19th Century England.
This principle gives guidance in my life concerning charitable works.
The closest reference to this truth in the bible is Matthew 4:19 “He said to them, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” What better interpretation of the Lord’s word when he taught his apostles to fish.
Happily, I studied in Assumption College, where the missionary zeal is coupled with the children’s education in the Assumption mission schools in different parts of the country such as Baguio City, Malibay-Pasay City, San Simon-Pampanga, Bo. Obrero-Iloilo City, Passi-Iloilo, Sibalom-Antique, Kauswagan-Lanao del Norte, and Lantapan-Bukidnon.
A well-known comedian, Noah Trevor, further added to the quote:
“People love to say, ‘Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime.’ What they don’t say is, And it would be nice if you gave him a fishing rod. That’s the part of the analogy that’s missing.”
It is in San Simon, Pampanga, where they completed this entire concept.
The Assumpta Technical School (ATHS) in San Simon, Pampanga, founded in 1970, aims to provide secondary technical education to the children of farmers. Assumption Alumnae and friends support these children who possess the intellectual capacity but lack the financial resources.
The average enrolment per year is 565. For those who have income sources, the students contribute to a portion of the cost of education.
Courses include integrated farming, carpentry, electronics, sewing and tailoring, food trade, and small business management.
But it is not enough to educate them. The students need a “fishing rod.” What better way than to allow them the chance to hone their skills in their courses in actual livelihood.
The use of carpentry facilities in conjunction with small business management training is one such opportunity. Christmas is an excellent time to offer their wares, as shown in their 2021 offerings on this website. (See Pananagutan – click link)
What warms the heart most is that ATHS has developed remarkable graduates.
A distinguished alumnus is Lito Tayag, Country Managing Director of Accenture, Inc. of the Philippines, which provides general management consulting services. The Company specializes in operations, technology, strategics, digital, and consultancy. Accenture serves customers worldwide.
Two illustrious alums are Julie Lagman – a businesswoman based in Cebu, and her husband, Jesus Lagman. They supply industrial products – spare parts for diesel engines, industrial filters, lubricants, maintenance chemicals, oil pollution control, industrial batteries, and other related products.
Another respected alumnus, Emilio Tayag, is a neurosurgeon based in the United States.
God has given us our own fishing rods with which to answer our “pananagutan” to others – talents, resources, organizing skills- whatever we can bring to the endeavor. The nets have been full, for God is master of the harvest.
More information about ATHS are on the websites below:
http://assumptionalumnaeassociationinc.weebly.com/history.html.