British Volunteer Produces Cinderella in Village School

by Nannette M. Morata
VFV Local Director

It was an exciting day for the children in a village school when Ms. Ophelia Lovibond culminated her volunteering activity with a simple yet unique play of Cinderella. Ophelia, 19 years old, was a volunteer from Wale Vale, London. She initially came to the Philippines to volunteer at the Social Welfare Office on June 25, 2005. After more than a week of volunteering at the said office, she ventured into volunteering in a village school so she can use her expertise in drama.

She is a longstanding client on the BWH Acting Agency in her place and was awarded the Drama Scholarship at Latymer Upper. Acting has been her passion since the age of 11 and continues to flourish with just as much intensity. Aside from assisting teachers teach basic English at the Mohon Elementary School in one of the villages in Tanauan, Leyte, she formed a group of children who will form her group of new actors and actresses.

On July 18, after almost 2 weeks of practice, Ophelia's group was ready to present their play to the school. This event was attended by the Mayor of Tanauan, Troy Peden and his family, Jason Coppage, VFV staff, other international volunteers and the school teachers and students. The goal of the play was to expose the children to such art, not as much as expecting a perfect performance from the kids. The experience this has given to the children was something that they can be proud of through the years and may be the only drama class that they'll ever have in their entire life.