Staff Blog
I am pretty much amazed on a daily basis about the creative works made by our kids here. They have a knack for drawing, creating, writing, coloring and cutting---even folding letters into intricate patterns. I, myself, do not have such a creative gene so I admire them even more I suppose.
But, truth be told, not all of the kids are able to make such effortless works. Some struggle with the basics of writing and cutting longer than they should. These kids often receive therapy from our resident PTs to improve their fine motor skills. In class, they often work one-on-one with a teacher on projects and they also have Individualized Instruction, which is more one-on-one time with a teacher in addition to their regular classes to improve on the skills they are having difficulty mastering. It is a HUGE blessing that our school and shelter can offer all of these specialized services because these kids, our kids, would be lost in a public or even private school where class sizes are 30 or 35 to 1 teacher.
Below is a picture I took of a very special gift given to me. It was a class project, given to me on the day it was completed. It is, as the teacher described, "a labor of love." The child who gave this to me will be 7 in August, but he cannot yet write his name without hand-over-hand assistance from his teacher. He is a child who received therapy to learn how to put on his socks and shoes for several months before he had mastered it. He is a child who is still receiving therapy for cutting skills and other fine motor activities. He worked really hard on this for a long time. Cutting on the lines is a difficult task for him, following a curve or cutting irregular shapes, nearly impossible. But he did it.
He had ran up to me and excitedly given it before his class was about to start. The kids love to give letters, flowers and things like that so I accepted it with a smile. Later I realized it must have been a class project and I figured he needed it still. I approached his teacher to ask if he would need it to complete assignments. She said no, but she shared that it was a very hard work for him to complete. What a treasure it is to me!
I consider my work here to be a significant blessing to ME. Visitors often come here and thank me for what I do, but really, no thanks is needed. Every day I receive so many gifts that it is almost not right to call this work. God’s hand is on this place and I am blessed to be here, in His palm.
Thank you for supporting this ministry, for praying for all of us. When I look at this child’s work, I am humbled by his gift. I can see how hard he worked to make it, the painstaking care he took as he cut. But I also see his progress, how far he’s come and it is because of CSC. And it is because of all of you, who care, who get on your knees to pray, for these kids, for this work, so we can give them what they need.
It's More Fun at CCHS!
When I first came to CCHS, it was for my interview with the principal and the consultant. I was so nervous because it was my first time to be interviewed. I prayed and tried to be optimistic no matter what happened. My prayer was granted.
I am now part of the CCHS faculty. The people at CCHS are so great because they make me feel comfortable. I have learned a lot of new things from them. I am so thankful that I have been able to meet happy people. Everything happens for a reason.
The students are so energetic. Each child has his own unique personality and skills. Every afternoon the kids bring flowers they have picked for the teachers. How sweet these students are! Every time the school has a special event, they are excited for the games, activities and especially the snacks. They participate and enjoy the activity. It’s More Fun at CCHS!
-Rhasie Gantuangco, Instructional Assistant
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Thomas is One!
Thomas is one amazing young boy. He is one resilient and persevering boy. He is one happy and upbeat boy. And now he is one year old!
Thomas has been through more in his life than most people, and he just turned one. He has had several surgeries and spent lots of time in the hospital in his first year of life. Through it all he keeps his spirits high. Even when in the hospital feeling bad, it is rare that he is in a bad mood.
Over the past couple months he has been healing up after a major surgery. Now that he is healthier, the child care workers can give him more freedom to satisfy his inquisitive mind. He is loving it!
He really likes books. He looks at them so intently that some of the child care workers joke that he already knows how to read. Recently, he has started to learn how to walk.
Many, many, many people have prayed continually for him and his recovery and development. So celebrate with us as Thomas turns one. It is great day!
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Cool Babies
One baby’s smile is extremely contagious. Multiply that by 17, that is the current number little cute babies at the shelter.
My wife and I are expecting our first child in the next few weeks. In the past months I have been spending more time with the babies at the shelter.
Each little one is cool in their own ways. One little girl loves playing “peek-o-boo.” A little boy shouts out my name when he sees me. Another girl has a squeal of excitement that goes along with a huge smile. A little boy will talk to me when he wants to, not necessarily when I want to talk to him. And another girl has been calling me “Auntie Joel” for a long time and last week she actually greeted me as “Uncle Joel.”
Just trying to take a picture of five little ones can be a great moment. Smiles, silliness, seriousness, and shyness can all fill one picture.
God has created each child to shine on their own. It is a pleasure and honor to get to know each child at the shelter.
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Full Cup of Water
Hi, I’m Michelle. It’s a blessing for me to be a part of Cebu Children of Hope School. This is my second year working as an instructional assistant in the school ministry and I’m glad I am working here.
I’m Wilmar’s Math teacher. Part of our studies in Math have been about spatial concepts like full and empty (just sort of a review), and for him to understand more about it. For a recent lesson, I prepared one empty cup and one full cup of water. (We had done this before and Wilmar drank the water!) I pointed to the cup without water as I said to Wilmar, “This cup is empty.” Then I pointed to the other cup full of water and said, “This cup is full of water.” I was expecting Wilmar to drink the water, but to my surprise, he didn’t. This young man has matured a lot.
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A Blessing to Us
Today new three new kids came to CSC. It is another great day! Of course these siblings are apprehensive at first, but are quickly warming up to the caring people that surround them.
Uncle Don Don is the house father of Eicher home where the new siblings will live. Yesterday he shared with the child care workers, "We have three new kids coming tomorrow!"
Auntie Amy quickly bombarded him with questions. "There are new kids Uncle? How old are they? Will there be kids in the nursery?"
Auntie Helen put it well, "Well, if we still have extra room, let them keep coming. Everybody is welcome!”
Uncle Don Don summed it up, "Of course! These new kids are a blessing to us."
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