Staff Blog
Most people get a "watered-down" version of Cebu when they come as tourists. Some only see what the tour guides want them to see. Some fly into the airport on the neighboring island of Mactan, but never cross the bridge that connects it with Cebu City. They experience the five star ambiance of the lush resorts and rub shoulders with wealthy people and well-trained staff who pamper them, but they never observe the realities of life in this Third World city. They are sanitized from the poverty, the pollution and the suffering of people in our city.
Visitors to CSC also get an abbreviated version of the story of the ministry. Although we show them our facilities and let them meet our staff and, when appropriate, some of the kids, we aren't able to give them the bigger picture. They see our wonderful homes and get a sense for the quality of care that our children receive. They visit our school and learn about the education that we provide. And they often have questions answered about where our children come and how they can help us.
But there is so much that goes on behind the scenes at CSC that is not apparent to visitors, even if they stay for more than a few days. They probably don't see the efforts of the social workers, child development team, teachers, nurses, therapists and other personnel who make it possible for us to bring children in and provide them with the comprehensive care that they require. Efforts like these:
- Social workers out in the field, working with birth families and gathering information needed for procuring birth documentation, or processing referrals;
- Meetings, meetings, meetings. There are at least ten meetings every day, both formal and informal, involving child care workers, house parents, counselors, therapists, office staff, social work and child development teams, school faculty and security and maintenance workers. These meetings involve financial planning, behavioral issues and updates, strategizing difficult case management issues, and sitting down with people from other agencies, both private and governmental, to advocate for our children;
- Nurses bringing children to labs, doctors' offices and clinics for medical assessment and care;
- Counselors meeting with children to discuss issues from their past or difficulties they may be having at CSC;
- Workers meeting with house parents to discuss problems in the home;
- Team-building activities, staff development and training that aims at making CSC a better place for the children who live here.
- Office staff handling the payroll, purchasing, banking, bill paying and other financial management tasks that are essential to keep things running smoothly;
- The work of transporting these workers to accomplish these tasks, and to get children to school or to doctors or dentist appointments. Our fleet of 10 vehicles is constantly being used to support the many activities and appointments that are needed.
- And, while they may get a sense for the financial needs of a program like ours in Cebu, they don't see the constant fundraising and promotional efforts going on in Minnesota through our stateside office. They don't know of the decisions being made by families and individuals to give generously and sacrificially to CSC for the care of the children, the same ones that they are observing on our playground, at the supper table or marching off to school.
We are thankful for each person who makes a contribution to the ministry here in Cebu, back in MN and around the world. People like you. I wish you could each be recognized by those who lead the tours here at CSC, because you help make the good things that they see possible.
Visitors and Volunteers
One thing I've been able to witness this year is how often visitors are able to use their skills and abilities to help give back to CSC. So many times people don't just visit CSC, they also volunteer at CSC.
Here are some photos from the past year of family and friends that have visited and volunteered at CSC.
1. Gordie, one of CSC's board members, recently came to see CSC in action. This is a picture of when he led a Bible study for the older boys and girls at CSC about having a positive self image.
2. My family visited CSC in February. My mom taught the kids origami and led a workshop for the teachers. My dad did a pottery demonstration and then led an art activity where the kids made clay fish (or sharks or piranhas).
3. When Lindsay's family came to visit her dad, Allen (or Dr. Mork, in this picture), helped out by seeing some of the kids that were sick.
4. Our friend Angie recently came to visit Lindsay and I. She's an elementary school teacher back in Minnesota. She volunteered to help the preschoolers who had a lesson on clowns. She jumped right in. I love this pictures!
What an honor it is to have such incredible people visit and volunteer at CSC!
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A True Calling
Last week I had a friend visiting here in Cebu. Marlys Healy, the co-founder of CSC, took us on her standard "city tour" so my friend could experience Cebu a little bit more. It doesn't matter how many times I've been on that city tour with Marlys - I love driving around and seeing this city through the perspective of CSC.
There was one moment that will always stick with me from this particular city tour. Marlys stopped outside of a building to tell us a story of some kids who had come to CSC from that side of town, and she was mid-story when she happened to turn around and see these three kids on the other side of the car. Immediately she stopped telling the story and brought our attention to the kids sleeping on the concrete.
What will always stick with me from this moment seeing her get big tears in her eyes looking at these three through the car window. We all just sat there for a minute taking in this sobering reality. She even had to stop telling her story for a minute, which, if you know Marlys, is pretty significant. :) But what is so astounding about this is that Marlys has lived in Cebu and worked with kids in these very difficult situations for 35 years. And the fact that she still feels so much compassion that it moves her to tears after so many years is simply incredible.
I praise the Lord for Marlys and her true calling and deeply compassionate heart for ministering to children in need.
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Fried chicken & festivities!
We had some visitors here recently. An adoptive family had returned to show their son where he came from so many years ago. Those visitors are such a blessing! Our childcare workers are always touched to see the children they once fed and bathed return happy and healthy and grown. This family went above and beyond, however. Their son decided that he wanted to celebrate his birthday with all of the kids at CSC. He and his family arranged to have the Jollibee birthday brigade come with balloons, food (SO much food!), games and prizes! Check out how much fun was had!
THE FEAST!!!! There was fried chicken, spaghetti, Yum burgers, peach mango pie and Coke!
THE GAMES!
This game was particularly hilarious to watch. The kids started in a circle and then had to be the quickest to get into groupings of various sizes! There was plenty of scrambling and frantic behaviors! Other games involved singing a song, being the first to bring up a requested object (I gave my phone, a hair clip and a 1 peso coin for the cause) or saying "Jollibee," holding out the "bee" for the longest amount of time. Let's just say some of our kids can hold a lot of air inside their little bodies! ;)
Eagerly awaiting the arrival of THE Jollibee!
EXCITED SMILES ABOUND!!
And he's HERE!!!!!!
You would never know these two are archrivals---Joemar with his McDonald's hat! :)
Cool dudes!
Clearly my camera was one of many, but you get the idea!!! :)
Thanks to all visitors everywhere! Your presence here is a blessing to the kids, to our workers and to the staff.
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Happy Resurrection Day!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" -1 Peter 1:3
There have many different activities at CSC over the last few days to remember and celebrate Jesus' resurrection! He is RISEN! Praise the Lord!
On Wednesday, we had an Easter program at school! We sang praise songs to the Lord, watched several performances, and played some games related to Easter and Jesus' resurrection. It ended with announcing the winner's of the coloring contest! Here are the winners!
On Sunday, many of our kids performed in the morning church service. Below is a picture of them up on stage. It was hard to get a good picture because they were so far away. Almost all of the kids in white are our kids!
After the church service, each of the houses had their own Easter egg hunt. The kids had so much fun searching through the bushes and around the yard for the eggs! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from that event!
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Carts, Carts, Carts
Carts are a popular and useful means of transporting cargo in the Philippines. In Cebu City they are used for hauling just about anything, from fruits, vegetables and meat, to hardware, wood and household items. Some families live on their carts. Carts can be seen on streets and sidewalks - everywhere that people need to transport goods at a reasonable price. Of course, the toddler cart at CSC transports the most precious cargo!
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