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.