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Pounding rice is never fun September 7, 2004
PWRDF
Philippines: Pew Bulletin Stories September 2004
Benjamin Suyam is 12 years old, a Grade Four pupil in Uma, northern Luzon. He started pounding rice when he was 10 years old. His day started and ended with pounding rice. He had to wake up at 6.00, first to help his mother pound rice, then eat a hurried breakfast and walk 30 minutes to the local elementary school that opens at 8.30 in the morning. He always arrived at school with barely a minute to catch his breath before the start of his lessons, too tired and sleepy to learn much.
In Uma, where there are no rice mills, children like Benjamin and women who have just given birth pound rice. No wonder that in 1998 the Episcopal Church Women of Uma sent a delegation to the Diocesan Development Office of Northern Luzon to submit a project proposal for a rice and corn mill. The women also secured project support from their male counterparts.
A rice and corn mill has been constructed in Uma. Benjamin has more time to prepare for school, and his grades have improved. Along with other children in the community, he has time for some fun.
