A reflection on the Tulong-Dunong Tutoring Program in the time of the pandemic

The Tulong-Dunong (TD) tutoring program has been around for nearly 47 years. Instituted in 1975 by Fr. James O’Brien SJ (fondly called “Fr. OB” by students and colleagues), TD is a beloved pillar of the Ateneo de Manila High School (AHS), one that pre-dates the Ateneo de Manila Senior High School or ASHS. As such, who would have thought that a solid program like TD—well-knit into the curriculum—could be shaken by a force beyond our school’s capacities?  

During school year 2020-2021, at the onset of the COVID pandemic, the ASHS Christian Life Education (CLE) Subject Area knew that it could no longer offer TD to our Grade 11 students because everyone- including our public elementary partner schools- was still navigating the online space. With sadness in our hearts, we had to go on with the school year without TD, which has been a staple community involvement activity of the ASHS. Despite the suspension of TD, we tried our best to contribute to our partner schools by making our students create English and Math video tutorials for TD kids in lieu of the tutoring. Along with TD, other student outreach activities were also halted due to the limitations of online learning.  

Given the “arid” scenario of outreach activities, I noticed that my students were thirsting for human interaction and opportunities to be with and help others. This observation affirms that it is a natural desire of human beings to belong, connect, and love other people. Deep within the crevices of our hearts, we find a strong inclination to show our love towards others. This love, which some might find quite interesting, desires to reach out to those who are outside our families and circle of friends. Kung minsan napakakulit sapagkat naghahanap ng “iba” at “bukod-tangi.” Such love cannot be easily silenced or ignored, and is there for a great reason.  

Come SY 2021-2022, the ASHS’ second year to conduct online learning, we gained the confidence to bring TD back. We had been preparing for it for almost a year when we- the ASHS and its partner schools- decided that we were ready to offer it once again. Exploring the online space for a tutoring program was no easy task. We needed to intensify our coordination with our partner schools. We made our students participate in the planning and preparation stages by learning the context of our partner schools through a kwentuhan session. We studied the logistical ins and outs. We prepared ourselves to embrace mistakes and setbacks. Lastly, we humbly admitted to ourselves that we do not know everything, a mindset that allowed us to learn from our colleagues, the TD Coordinators, our students, and our TD kids. This mindset allowed the grace of God to purify our desires for the program.  

Observing the TD kids interact with their ates and kuyas during their weekly tutoring is enough for us to be certain that the human heart indeed desires to love and be loved. I know that TD this school year is far from perfect, but that’s okay. What’s important is that we have done our best to make it as good as it can be considering our present circumstances. In the crevices of TD, we find the vision that Fr OB brought to life almost 47 years ago. It is a program that continues to be present and a present for both Ateneans and TD kids, a humble, sincere and authentic offering of love. 

TD is what it is today because of the love that was first shared by Fr. OB, a program drawn from the bosom of God and nurtured by generations of Ateneans. Currently, TD has 16 committed public elementary partner schools in Marikina whose Grade 6 learners are tutored by our Grade 11 students in English and Math.

The pandemic may have interrupted TD for a year but its temporary suspension allowed all of us to renew our commitment to it and all that it stands for. Inspired by the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, there lies TD in the crevices of the Atenean heart, calling the person to express his/her love in deeds more than in words despite the many challenges facing our world today.