Staff Blog
People enjoy music because it can
be a way of expressing themselves, showing what they feel. Last week the CCHS
kids expressed their God- given talents at a recital praise night. It was a
very exciting and surprising night for everyone. The kids couldn’t wait to
perform and were so excited for the program, even the smaller ones. As one
student, Jhaycob, approached me he said, “Dugay pako teacher”? (How long will I
wait?)
CSC staff, teachers, and other
invited guests were also excited and wanted to hear what the kids had been
learning in music class and lessons. Many of the children are relatively new to
the shelter, so it was their first time playing an instrument. I can truly say
that it was really something out of nothing. Earlier in the school year, the kids
had no idea what music is all about or how to play an instrument. The kids were
amazing as they performed their pieces in front of an audience. It was also an
opportunity to really appreciate the effort of the music teacher teaching the
students in order for them to play the different instruments. With proper
guidance and training, the kids were able to show what they have learned with
style. Everyone was entertained and excited, especially with the drummers.
What happened at the recital was
not just entertainment. There is something that we need to ponder out of that
event. It's really a good thing seeing our kids glorifying God with their talents.
An example of this was Pretchy who composed a song about our Saviour, Jesus
Christ and sang it for us. We're also glad to see them standing in front of
many people with courage.
It is important for each person at
the school and shelter to help build the kids’ courage because it is a positive
attitude for them to have. The kids learned so much from the entire experience
and we can learn from them as well. Music
is pleasant to one's ear and it influences many people. We can be music also by
touching others’ lives for God. As
we inspire them, we're building up their courage. We can make a change in others’
lives if there is proper guidance. At the beginning, one takes a risk on how to
teach the kids, but they will really excel if there’s guidance. And it was proven
with our praise night.
God is working in our midst. He
heals the broken hearted and blesses each one of us. Let us be music that
touches others’ hearts.
-Abigail Oblianda, Instructional Assistant
A Special Friend
You guys all know Wilmar. You see him playing basketball, riding a bike, holding a toy lion, crocodile or a dinosaur or you see him just sitting and singing a song or two. Wilmar receives a lot of support at the school and shelter.
At school, Wilmar has three different teachers and one physical therapist. Yup, we make sure these kids get what they need. So yeah, Wilmar has teachers supporting him, but what about a friend? Who plays with him at the shelter? Who helps him line up? Who holds his hand during school programs?
Well, there is one special friend and classmate who assists Wilmar in all of these. This girl sang a duet with Wilmar in the last music recital. She holds Wilmar’s hand when going up and down to the stage; she walks with him to the next class and works on classroom activities with him. Even her classmates know who Wilmar should sit with. And she is very happy to do all of this. No complaints.
This girl is also close to the rest of the special needs kids/adults in her house. She sees them as equal. She has a big heart for them. Now, that’s one special friend!
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Sportsfest 2016
Sportsfest 2016 is officially over. A great day of fun, athleticism, and sportsmanship was had by all! The day started off with a parade,cheers from each team, reciting of the sportsmanship pledge and the lighting of the torch. Then the games began!
Enjoy some fun photos of the day! 
The Torch
Getting Ready
Hula Hoop
Sack Race
Hurdles
The Aqua Blue Team
The Green Team
The Royal Blue Team
The Gray Team
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Yesterday and today
I have been finishing up my book on the history of CSC. It has been a great experience to look back on the earlier years of the ministry and see how many times God has seen us through difficulties and helped us meet challenges. We have faced financial hardships, political uncertainties, sickness, natural disasters, death and a fire. And one year we faced all of these. Except the fire.
1990 was quite a year for CSC. Our board had approved a budget that was significantly more than the previous year. But income was down significantly and our reserves were being depleted. What's more, CSC's Executive Director had to resign for health reasons. There were lots of political uncertainties in the country. Many of our children were sick and one, little Sonny Boy, died after a 72 hour battle in the ICU. Three of our staff were on furlough during the year, leaving us short-handed in Cebu. And, in November we got hit by super typhoon Ruping which cause lots of damage in Cebu, though nothing major at CSC. We were inconvenienced by power outage and lack of sufficient water.
Not a great year. But one where we learned a lot about God's sustaining power, his heart, and our ability, with his help, to withstand lots of challenges. We also learned a lot about CSC's supporters, and how they rally around us during difficult times. People stepped up, pitched in with the fund raising, gave sacrificially, prayed for us and help pull us through 1990. And every year since.
Some of you have been around CSC since 1990. If so, thanks for then and for now. If you were a part of our stupendous December giving rally in 2015, or have been praying for CSC or our family, BIG thanks. We have needed you so much. We take on the challenges of today and in the future because of what you have meant to us in the past. Bless you all.
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Playing with Dominoes in Science Class
If you walked by our science class on any given day, it might resemble play time. In fact, we are having so much fun, things are falling over fast! One of the science classes recently finished a unit on speed. They learned how distance, time, and speed are related. To further illustrate this relationship, they had the opportunity to play with dominoes. The class was divided into two teams. The teams had to line up 25 dominoes that were equally spaced in such a way that their dominoes would fall faster than the other team. This led to a lot of discussion about concepts related to speed, and we had fun in the process!
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A Wonderful Surprise!
Happy New Year!
God is GREAT! He has been so faithful to Cebu Children of Hope School during the past year. His protection and provision were so evident in the lives of each one of us at school. A number of kids were given forever families and are now starting new chapters in their lives in new families, homes, and schools.
This year already God has given us a wonderful surprise at school. Seven lovable students joined classes after the Christmas break, three preschoolers and four elementary students. Their coming has made the school merrier because each one of them is a bundle of joy. They are gifts from God that enrich everyone’s lives at school.
New Preschoolers
New Elementary students
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