This caring parent sacrificed time and effort every day to give us water, thus complementing the work of our coach who taught us the game. He fulfilled the critical role parents play in their children’s education, whether in the form of extracurricular sports or classroom academics. Paragraph 2223 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children.”
Recently, BOMCA Academy held a parent teacher association (PTA) meeting to foster parent participation in the education of their children. HEAL’s mission is to train the mind and character of students to become Servant Leaders as Christ taught his disciples (cf. Mt 26:20). “By attending the PTA meeting, parents expressed the Self-Emptying spirit required of every Servant Leader”, said Rev. Leo Okonkwo.
If any of the BOMCA student parents thought they would only be expected to attend a meeting, they were in for a surprise. At the meeting, Rev. Leo and the teaching staff stressed that BOMCA was not a mere day care center and challenged the parents to go the extra mile. “To reinforce their role, we asked parents to take turns accompanying their children to school every month”, Rev. Leo said.
At HEAL, parents are true partners in our mission. Parents, especially those in poverty or barely making ends meet, can be tempted to abdicate their duties toward their children and pass them on to someone else. We also realize most parents can not be full time teachers, which is why BOMCA partners with them in education.
If our students are to become real Servant Leaders in society, parents and teachers together must exemplify Christ as the “sine qua non” of their education. PTA Chairman, Kelechi Azogiro, explains it thus, “The self-emptying of Christ teaches parents there are no sacrifices too great in fulfilling their role as their children’s primary educators.”
Will you make a sacrifice on behalf of the poor and marginalized village children in our schools? Please consider a recurring gift of $25, $50, or $100 per month to help establish our mission on a firm financial foundation!