Spending A Day with the Schoolchildren of Pawak Elementary School

Pawak Elementary School is the home of 98 aspiring young students (52 girls and 46 boys) ranging from Kindergarten to Grade VI.

As most of these children come from a family who rely on the farm and livestock, they go to a great length just to attend elementary education, helping their parents tend their livestock before walking miles of dirt and treacherous trails to reach the school ground.

Because of its remote location, the school does not usually get the government funding and attention it deserve. It relies mainly on the kindness and generosity of outreach programs. "Chalkboard" was one of those program.

In October 2016, a Crowdfunding program called "Chalkboard" was launched, the goal was to raise enough funds for basic essentials- backpacks, raincoats, notebooks, pens and snacks. In less than a week, through Social Media, generous donors answered the call, raising $600 in total.

Comments

Our Journey to the San Diego Beach & Bay Half Marathon

Race Day: Embracing the Challenge, and Pushing Limits Today was the big one—the San Diego Beach & Bay Half Marathon. We stood at the starting line at 6:30 AM, under heavy skies and cooler air. No blazing sun today, just a thick layer of cloud cover—a welcome gift for runners like us. This wasn’t unfamiliar ground. We’ve run these paths over and over—Crown Point, De Anza Cove, Mission Bay, Pacific Beach. We knew every twist and turn. But that didn’t make it easier. Michelle almost didn’t start. Her back pain had lingered all week, stubborn and unpredictable. But she showed up, like always. Quietly determined. By mile 3, she was locked in. By mile 6, she was flying. But then came mile 10—the farthest we had ever trained for. That’s where things started to change. Breaths became heavier. Footsteps, slower. At mile 12, we hit the wall—hard. Every stride turned into a battle of will over body. And yet, somehow, we kept moving. Michelle crossed the finish at 2:28. I followed just a minut...

We’ll Always Have Morocco

Day 6: Into the Heart of the Kasbahs — From Dunes to Dramatic Gorges We rose before dawn, the desert still wrapped in silence and stars. The air was crisp, the sky a canvas of deep indigo slowly giving way to shades of gold and rose. As we climbed back onto our camels, the only sounds were the soft crunch of sand beneath padded feet and the gentle whisper of wind over the dunes. At the crest of a ridge, we paused—and there it was: sunrise over the Sahara . It wasn’t just beautiful; it was soul-stirring. The dunes blushed with morning light, shifting from bronze to fiery orange. Shadows danced. Time stood still. It felt as though the desert was breathing with us—alive with something ancient and eternal. We returned to camp for a traditional Berber breakfast: warm bread, honey, fresh dates, and mint tea that tasted like sunshine in a glass. After breakfast, we bid farewell to our camels, our hosts, and the magical slice of Morocco that had taken root in our hearts. Back in our 4x4s,...

Into the Wild: A New Zealand Adventure

This past holiday season, Michelle and I decided to break away from the familiar. Instead of the usual family gatherings in Bay Area, we packed our bags for New Zealand—a land of rugged beauty, epic adventures, and just enough unpredictability to keep us on our toes. Little did we know, this trip would push us out of our comfort zones and into the heart of an unforgettable adventure. The Start of Something Big We left San Diego with excitement buzzing in the air, cruising up to Los Angeles for a late-night flight. Parking was smooth- thankfully, I’d planned ahead- and soon we were boarding a 12-hour journey to the land of the long white cloud. As we flew across the Pacific, I kept imagining the landscapes ahead: towering mountains, roaring waterfalls, and surreal geothermal pools. Michelle, ever the planner, was busy double-checking our packed itinerary. We touched down in Auckland mid-morning, and the adventure began right away. After grabbing a rental car and stocking up on snacks, w...

Hobo Lolo

Search This Blog