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.

 

A Lesson in Surprises

School is ten days away and I'm not sure if the kids or the parents are more excited.  Everyone is counting down the days til classes start and the learning begins. 

Last week Gepher had VBS.  On the first morning, five Hope for Tomorrow children arrived at the building thanks to one of the Dad's bringing them in the pedicab.  (A pedicab is a bicyle with a sidecar attached.  Its one form of public transportation in the Philippines.  The driver pedals his passengars to their destination.)  Each day was filled with lots of crafts and activities.  They kids made unleven bread with modeling clay, wrapped one another as mummies, and did other fun things to help them learn all about Jesus' Resurrection.

   

The kids enjoyed VBS so much they are now coming to Bible class on Sunday (and even bringing some of their mothers)!!  How amazing that God is already using this ministry to open doors to meet the kids' and their family's spiritual needs.

We are so blessed by the outpouring generousity of our sponsors.  This year we will be changing 21 children's lives as they have an opportunity to attend school.  We can't wait to see all those smiling faces as they walk into the classroom for the first time in just ten short days!!

A Lesson in Preparation

School starts early June in Cebu and we are busy making all the prepartions for getting our kids in school!!  I'm not sure who is more excited for school to start...the parents or the students.  Either way its going to be a fun school year filled with lots of lessons learned, memories made, and building better futures.

Before school starts, Gepher and I want to introduce you to the faces of Hope for Tomorrow.  Because of your generous donations, these are just some of the lives you are changing for the better.  We cannot wait to see how God will work in these beautiful children's lives!

A Lesson in Excitement

Last week, Gepher hopped on the motorcycle and headed out to Hidden Island to share the good news of Hope for Tomorrow with the families and children of this community.

Hidden Island is a community filled with families struggling to get by.  They live in homes made of tin roofs and bamboo walls.  Several of these families make their living doing jobs we cannot imagine (such as sorting garbage for materials that can be sold for recycling).  Many rely on the nearby river to feed their families.  Its a community where most children are unable to attend school or have had to quit due to the cost.  Its exactly the type of children and families that need Hope for Tomorrow.

   

Gepher gathered the kids and begin asking who would like to go to school in June.  The screams, laughter, and shrills of excitement was heard throughout.  The children were so excited about the possibility they would get to go to school.  One little boy came running up to Gepher saying, "Kuya Gepher, Kuya Gepher!  What about me, what about me??  Can I go to school?"

Gepher went house to house explaining to the parent's about the scholarship program, the qualifications of the program, and what this would mean for their children and their family.  The parents were so excited that at least one child in their family would have the opportunity for a brighter future.  With tears in her eyes, one mother expressed to Gepher that she never thought she'd be able to send one of her children to school.  I cannot even imagine what that mother must have felt.

WOW!!  Who knew that a little boy would get as excited about the chance to go to school as he would a brand new toy??  Who knew a mother would cry over the opportunity for one of her children to go to school.  God showed us through the small boy and mother just how Hope for Tomorrow can change lives!

School starts in about 6 weeks and we are so excited about the plans God has for this school year as we begin changing lives one child at a time!!