Shop Til You Drop

Ever taken 27 kids shopping for school clothes??  Well neither had we, but that’s exactly what we did last week.  As daunting as a task as it might sound it was that rewarding!!

     

In the Philippines all school children are required to wear a uniform in order to attend school.  Kids of all ages (even college) wear a uniform and every school’s uniform is different.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays the children come to the church building after school for our After School Program.  On this special Tuesday, there wasn’t any English or Math lessons given, instead there were lots of smiles and pride as the children went with Mom and Gepher to the market to buy their very own brand new uniform.

   

The children’s excitement was contagious.  Not only were they excited to be getting their school uniforms but they were excited to be shopping for new clothes.  Most of these children do not get to go shopping for new clothes.  These children are actually they lucky to have clothes that fit properly and are without holes or stains.

   

Mom helped the children one by one try on their uniform shirts and pants/skirts.  We measured them and made sure the fit was just right.  We wanted to make sure every child felt they looked their best.  The better they feel about themselves the farther they will go in school!

         

When the children returned to the church building with their bags filled with new clothes, the smiles lit up the entire room.  Kids that don’t usually smile were smiling!  The gift of a new school uniform made these kids feel loved and special.  This is exactly how every child should feel!

It’s Here!! It’s Here!! The First Day of School is Here!!

June 6th might have been the first day of school in Naga, but to the Hope for Tomorrow children it was like Christmas morning!!

The first day of school is the start of new beginnings.  The beginning of dreams coming true.  The beginning of a new future.  The beginning of becoming lifelong learners.  The beginning of new friendships.  The beginning of new memories.

   

On Monday, Wednesday, Friday the children are picked up by a pedicab driver and taken to school.  On the first day, the kids were so excited they were actually early for the pick-up time.  So much so the kids (and Gepher) thought the driver had forgotten them or already left.  Luckily that was not the case at all and the kids piled into the pedicab and motorcabs and headed to the school.  Because we have children from 3 different parts of Naga, we have hired a total of 4 drivers to transport the kids.  These pedicabs are serving as the Filipino School bus system for our children.  (This ministry is not only providing education opportunities for the children of Naga, but it is also providing jobs/source of income for some of members of the community.)

   

When the children arrived at the school, the first day’s festivities were kicked off with a flag ceremony.  At the conclusion of the flag ceremony, the children went from classroom to classroom looking for their names on the classroom roster posted outside the door.  The kids were so proud to carry their backpacks filled with supplies into the classroom.  Something as simple as a backpack, made them feel like all the other kids in the classroom.

   

Helping 27 kids find their classrooms was no easy task.  Luckily Gepher had help from Fred and the kids were super patient as they walked from room to room.  Many of our children are in class with one another.  This was a huge advantage for the children as they had instant friends in the classroom.

   

When Gepher found Roberto’s classroom, Roberto hesitated and looked back at Gepher.  He assured Roberto this was the right classroom and he was in class with Bennie boy.  Roberto grabbed onto Gepher’s hand.  Gepher looked into Roberto’s big brown eyes and assured him he was going to do great in the first grade!!  That was all it took.  A little encouragement and love and Roberto was ready to tackle the first day of school.



   

At lunch time, the children walked the two blocks to the church building for their lunch.  We are very blessed for the church building to be very close to the school.  Because the Filipino schools do not provide lunches, one of the members from the church is cooking a wonderful meal for the kids three times a week.  It’s important to us that the kids eat a good meal (as we know that food at home is often scarce).

     

Lunch time gives us a great opportunity to check in with the kids and see how classes are going.  It also gives them a chance to build strong friendships amongst themselves.  New friendships are being built because of Hope for Tomorrow.

First Day of School Countdown

School is getting ready to start and everyone is getting excited.  Saturday Gepher brought the 26 kids to the church along with their families to talk about the expectations and logistics of Hope for Tomorrow.  The item the children were looking forward to the most was receiving their school supplies.

     

To make sure the children were not distracted by the new supplies, Gepher covered them with a cloth.  When it was time to distribute the supplies he pulled back the cloth and the children immediately errupted into "OHHHHs" and "AHHHHs".  When the first grade boys saw their Ben 10 backpacks, they errupted into a chant of "Ben 10...Ben 10...Ben 10".  The excitement was contagious in the room.  The children were so excited over their brand new school supplies.

     

Each child was called by name and allowed to choose their backpack and lunch box.  They could choose any backpack (filled with supplies) they wanted as long as it was designated for their grade level.  The children sat patiently waiting for their name to be called.  With every name called they wondered deep down when it would be their turn.

This is Roberto.  When his name was called he immediately began smiling from ear to ear.   Roberto’s father is paralyzed and his mother currently does not work.  Roberto recently asked his mother if he could go to school.  She had to do what no mother would want to do.  She had to tell Roberto he could not go to school as they did not have the money.  Roberto cried at the news his mother gave him.  When Gepher arrived at the tribe telling Roberto’s family about Hope for Tomorrow, there were more tears but this time tears of joy!

This Hannah Mae.   Hannah Mae has been begging her Mom to send her to school.  Her mother knew they didn’t have the money to send her to school; however, she didn’t want to disappoint her.  Her mother always told her, “We will find a way.”  When Gepher went to the tribe to find children for Hope for Tomorrow, the news spread quickly to Hanna Mae’s mother.  Her mother waited at her house for Gepher and when he arrived she asked if there was room for one little girl...Hannah Mae.  Thanks to Hope for Tomorrow, her mother found a way for her daughter to go to school.

This is Glenda.   Glenda is the third child in a family of four.  She is very proud of the fact she will be the only one in her family going to school.  Her parents never thought they would have the means to send one of their children to school.  They are so excited about this gift for Glenda.

This is Juanito.  He is 15 years old and entering the 6th grade.  He is the youngest in his family.  He has one older brother who has not finished school and does not have a desire to go back.  Juanito's father has been in and out of work over the past several years resulting in Juanito's having to start and stop school as well.  He's so excited to get back into school and to finish what he started.  He wants to be the first son in his family to finish school.

This is John Clyde.   He has a smile that can light up a room.  The minute Gepher arrives at Hidden Island John Clyde becomes his shadow and little helper.  He is always anxious to see kuya!  He is the fourth child in a family of 5.  His mother stays at home while his father is a carpenter.  Previously three of John Clyde’s siblings were enrolled in school; however, they had to drop out due to the financial impact on the family.  His brother is also part of Hope for Tomorrow.

This is Princess.   As Gepher was leaving the area where Princess lives, she stopped him and asked, “Why are you not including me?”  The moment she asked the question she smiled and immediately stood behind her mother.  Her mother expressed how bad she wanted to go to school.  That question and following conversation alone made Gepher know immediately that we had to include her.

  



These are just a few of the children whom God has entrusted us with this year.  We will share with you about the rest of our special children and their successes as the year progresses.