It was the second day of camp. A day before, the pouring rain hampered the outdoor activities lined up for the kids. As the weather started to improve, camp organizers announced that everyone should head to the Challenge Valley to do the highlight of the camp activities – the Obstacle Course.

As each team leader prepped his/her team to take on the obstacle course, Rose Ann was quite worried about what awaited her in the said activity.

Similar to most kids in camp, this is Rose Anne’s first real-experience in an outdoor environment. As much as she was enjoying her stay in camp, she had been struggling with the physical activities and finding it difficult to participate in several activities.  At the obstacle course, Rose Anne was really struggling. Because of the rain, it was muddy and slippery.

As Rose Anne tried to finish each challenge – climbing up and going downthe ropes and crawling through tires – her shoes ripped open. She started to cry as the rope challenge became more difficult for her.  Little did she know that someone behind her saw what happened.

Ate Jec, one of the GE Volunteers assigned to that group, thought about how difficult it would be for the child to finish the course in this condition.  Without having second thoughts, she removed her socks and shoes, lent them to Rose Anne, and walked barefoot on the muddy terrain.  Later on she said, “I can manage to walk barefoot kahit sa putik (even in the mud) and I have more experience sa bundok (in the mountain).”