Edited excerpt from original blog by Daire Drummy, SERVE Volunteer to The Philippines in 2018 

Daire Drummy met with Venerva Amil in 2018 on his placement with the Badjao tribe. Venerva explained that since the Badjao people are not recognised by the Sate and do not have birth certificates, the Badjao students faced isolation, frequent bullying and marginalisation in school. 

However, Venerva’s main struggle came in the form of balancing tradition and education.  

 Venerva was married in her second year of high school at the tender age of 14. However, the team at the Nano Nagle Centre were not prepared to let Venerva leave school just yet and convinced her to stay studying right the way through college. This is possible with financial support from SERVE through donations from you. 

Venerva resolved to prioritise her education and rebelled against her mother. This remains to be a rare case because women are still forced to follow tradition so Venerva The Brave continued her educational journey and became the first female Badjao to work in the Nano Nagle Centre and has been working as a Montessori teacher there. 

Venerva fought against traditional and family pressure and continues to be an inspiration to young women who, even if they happen to be married young, can still continue with education pursue their dreams. 

While there still remains an archaic stigma attached to the Badjao name around the Philippines as being uneducated and unskilled, the stories of people like Venerva in the tribe who are now teaching in their own society serve as a foil to these claims.  

The Badjao are evolving for the better. Daire explains, “I feel privileged to have worked with this community alongside these incredible individuals who have had to overcome some unbelievable obstacles socially, economically and mentally and are now devoting their lives to enhancing the community. These teachers truly are the hallmarks of success which many Badjao aspire to; the beacons of light spearheading the rise of this inspiring tribe.”