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.
Bright Future Ahead
As an adult, we wonder what the future will look like. Too often, we are afraid of it, not trusting. It is funny. Even though we are more experienced than little children they often teach us to keep calm and have faith. The future is in God’s mighty hands.
Kids arriving at CSC are unsure, uncertain and sometimes doubtful. They have been through a lot at a very young age, but they never waver about the future. At CSC they learn to trust again; to know that they are provided for and do not need to worry if they will have another meal. They look straight forward with hopeful hearts. They rest in God’s knowing hands that they will have a bright future ahead.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” --Jeremiah 29:11
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New Faces
Just as the kids are finishing up summer activities and heading into the last three weeks of their summer break, the school staff is getting geared back up to kick off the new school year. Whew! Summer went by so fast! The staff reports back on Monday, June 8 for two weeks of planning and preparation. Six new people will join our staff this year, so we have lots to do to get ready for the kids on June 22. Five of the new members are from Cebu or someplace nearby. Each will bring a fresh set of skills, one is an elementary major, another is a math major and yet another is a special education major. The sixth new person, Amanda, is from the US, just having completed her studies in science education. It’s been a couple of years since we have had a teacher from North America, so we are looking forward to having a native English speaker on the staff full time.
Amanda
More news of fun and learning will follow from the school halls in the weeks and months to come, but as we get ready for the kids, think of us and pray especially for the six new teachers, Alfie, Micillent, Lyrah, Amanda, Ethel and Ivy, who have committed to teaching at CCHS this year.
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He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Today we had a few Staff members from the LOGOS HOPE ship visit
us here at CSC. Their ship is docked here in Cebu City for the month of
May. It was fun for our kids to interact with young
Christians from all over the world, We had people from Europe, from
South America and one young lady from Florida. It was good for our kids
to hear the accents and to learn a few words of other languages, but
most important it was good for our kids to see the light of the Lord
shining it the eyes and beaming from the hearts of each of these young
people. One of our kids was surprised to learn that someone from
another country already knew about God....he thought that CSC was the
only place that told people about God. 
That conversation that I
overheard really brought home to me the staggering responsibility that
we have, we are telling kids about THE GOD, the creator of the
universe, their creator. WOW, what a blessing and what a
responsibility we have! All I could think of was the
children's song; "He's Got the Whole World in his Hands". That HE
does, and I am thankful for that fact. We all need to be reminded of
these simple truths from time to time. Thank you to the amazing young people of the 
Logos Hope for helping to bring this simple truth home to me today! 
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A Wet Responsibility
Jerry Salgo is one of the many people behind the scene making everything go smoothly. He is in charge of the CSC facilities, along with the maintenance and security personnel. While classes have been out on break, his team has been working to repaint and restore the school so that it will look as good as new when the students return near the end of June.
One of the projects they were working on was removing a
whirlpool from the therapy room. Cebu Children of Hope School acquired the
whirlpool several years ago and it was a great asset, meeting some of the
physical therapy needs of our kids. It has since worn out its welcome and is no
longer being used. The decision was made to remove it and sell it if possible. Uncle
Jerry, being the conscientious steward that he is, needed first to ensure that
it was working properly. As a man of high integrity, no task is too small or too
silly for him to oversee the details personally. It is one of the many reasons
we appreciate his hard work.
Once the removal is complete a new project will begin. The therapists, Jinkee Reasoner and Marwin Abong, have begun developing plans for a sensory wall to be installed. This will provide different tactile stimulation and be part of the therapy treatment for kids at CSC.
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CHS Graduation 2015
Children of Hope School recently celebrated its graduation.
Three students graduated preschool and are ready to move on to
kindergarten.
Five
students graduated sixth grade and are ready to make the transition from
elementary to high school.
It was a fun day to think back on all the hard work the students had put in over the past year. Each student received an award from their teacher, highlighting their individual accomplishments. Recognizing the hard work means a lot to each child. The graduates enjoyed their big day and are excited for next school year.
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