Homework can be such a drag....even for the kids at CSC. And can I please get a refresher on genotypes? I mean really, who needs that in social work? I recently was asked, "Auntie Megan, do you know how to do this one?" A worksheet gets shoved in my face and I'm staring at a grid of four boxes with a few capitalized "A's" and a few lowercase "a's." Umm...no. I barely made it with a passing grade when I had to learn that years ago!
One
night recently, when I was on duty, multiplication was a prominent feature in the homework department. I was helping
one girl who was struggling with 2-digit multiplication. I actually
don't think she was having that difficult of a time, but was
more annoyed that she had makeup work due to missing class the day
before. So 2x the homework (see what I did there?) in one evening. But
together we worked through it...even after about 30 minutes of her
splayed out on the floor, crying, pushing herself and her chair outside,
or hiding under the table. Perseverance friends. When it was bedtime,
I had to convince her to stop, put the assignment away, and that she
would need to finish in the morning since she wasted time whining about
her homework. I think this was just a ploy to try staying up later.
The
next time I was in that house as bantay? Division here we are! This
was much easier and definitely faster. Other kids occasionally have it
easy and don't have homework. They tend to spend their evening hanging
out, reading, or playing games. Most of the kids are pretty good about
focusing, but there are still bouts of distraction and avoidance. Gotta
take the good with the bad and just try to make the most of it! So
here's to brushing up on my math skills and renewing my ability to find
patience and negotiate!
Hands that Serve
We have about 76 child care workers who do day-to-day stuff at the shelter. Most of you who have been to CSC might be aware of this. But for everyone else’s information, we have laundry washers, cooks, cleaners and, of course, the rest of the Aunties—as we call them—who watch over the children at the shelter.
Most of them don’t have a college degree, some never got the chance to finish grade school; but they take pride and joy in working at CSC. They teach the kids household chores, sometimes you see them in the playground playing with the kids and often times, they teach the little ones how to pray. They treat the kids at the shelter like their own.
For some of the aunties, being an educator is a gift. Singing nursery rhymes, dancing and learning how to count are some of their tasks that just come out naturally. Below is a short video of two aunties and some toddlers reading the story of Jonah and the Big Fish.
Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness in providing CSC with very willing hands. Please pray for all of our workers at the shelter as they continue caring for and teaching the kids.
Stacks of Books
The Reading Challenge is finishing up tomorrow! The children have been reading, a lot. Many of them leave school will a stack of books in their hands. The total number of pages read is staggering. Keep reading!
Sore Eyes
Sore eyes has hit CSC! As this blog is being written, seven babies and toddlers and one school age child have sore eyes. Sore eyes is very common in the Philippines. In the US, it is called pink eye. It affects all ages and usually spreads from one eye to the other very quickly. One’s eyes become swollen, turn pink, and are very itchy and painful. It can be miserable for anyone who has it, especially the babies and toddlers. Please pray for all the kids who currently have sore eyes and that it would not spread to others throughout the houses.
Friendships
Everybody needs friends.
For our CSC children, making a new friend is often the most important part of their adjusting to life at the Shelter.
Someone to run with……. Play with…..talk to…….laugh .……study .…..eat… and pray with.
CSC friends teach new kids the ropes, are partners in mischief and sources of understanding, comfort and encouragement. And not only that, they are a lot of fun to hang out with.
Our children come from backgrounds of poverty, neglect and loss. Who better to understand them than a friend who has experienced the same things before coming to live at CSC.
The memories of these friendships could last for a lifetime.
Mabuhay ang Wikang Filipino!
Last Friday, August 28, was a happy day for everyone at CCHS. It was the Buwan ng Wika Celebration, an all-day event focusing on Filipino language. All the students as well as the teachers really had fun.
The Filipino games played in the morning gave every student a chance to participate and every team showed good teamwork. The older kids helped the preschoolers even by carrying the little kids to get the tasks accomplished. It was an amazing sight to see all members of each team working as one.
The afternoon activity was short, but sweet. All the students’ presentations were really great! Each presentation displayed the children’s and teachers’ great efforts.
Mabuhay ang Wikang Filipino!