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.
Conferences: Sharing about the Students
Twice every school year, the teachers meet with the house parents, child care team, and other staff members to share how each student is doing in school. The small class sizes and many hours spent together make the teachers experts about the children. The teachers know how to inspire the students. They know how to explain the lessons. They know how to meet the children where they are at.
Recently, the first teacher conferences of the year were held. It was great to hear about the strides the students are making. The teachers shared some anecdotes about the children, giving insight into the mind of each child.
- One teenage boy loves drawing and is good at it. However, sometimes he spends too much time on the drawings for an assignment and does not leave enough time for the writing part.
- A preschooler was described by his teacher as having "a lot of potential to learn a lot this year."
- One first grade student recommended a comic book to his teacher. "If you read this teacher, it is funny," he said.
- After a day of vacation, a student confessed to his teacher, "I don't like no class. It is boring to have no learning."
The teachers also shared some of the school work the children of have been doing. The drawings by the kindergarteners and first graders showed how much they have improved in just the first few months of the year. The more difficult books the upper elementary students have been reading show how much they comprehend. It is encouraging from preschool on up!
Here is one student's work "The Lion and the Worm" read by the author, Lerma.
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Morning Meeting: Animals
Animals fascinate people of all ages. Kids four, five, and six years old are no exception. Many times the third or fourth thing you learn about a kid that age is their favorite animal. Name, age and possibly favorite color come before their favorite animal.
Preschool and Level A were excited to lead morning meeting because it was all about animals. They had fun singing and performing a few songs about animals. They did well and stayed focused throughout. The Animal Game Show finished off the morning meeting. Several kids were asked about their favorite animals and gave cute answers.
Check out the highlights of the morning meeting here:
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Babies in God's Hands
When a new baby is being cradled lovingly in the arms of the person caring for him, we are given a glimpse of being held in the hands of God.
Two weeks ago, a two day old newborn boy came to CSC. This week, a little baby girl joined CSC at about one week old. They are both in good health, but still they need constant care, just like any newborn baby. They are fragile, demanding, beautiful, and completely dependent.
We are babies to God. We need constant care even when we are in the best place in our lives and doing the very best we can. With God’s hands to guide and protect us, we can do amazing things. Actually, God does amazing things through us.
It is humbling to care for a newborn baby. A baby's potential is vast and we can be a part of fulfilling that potential. God wants to use us to fulfill His plans.
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National Teacher's Day!
Last Friday was National Teacher's Day! What a great day to be reminded of the many blessings we have in our talented faculty. It made me think of what makes a good teacher...well, good. All I had to do was watch our teachers in action and the answers are all there.
A good teacher...
gives their students a voice
prays over them
leads by example
strategizes with them
gives them the stage sometimes
lends a helping hand
motivates them to try
loves them
cheers them on
rewards their effort
and makes learning fun!
We have better than good teachers at Cebu Children of Hope School----we have phenomenal teachers! Please remember them in your prayers for CSC and I hope that you say an extra prayer for all teachers everywhere. Their job is a very tough, but oh so important one and they need God's strength in all that they do.
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ART ATTACK!
Art time is commonly one of the favorites of students around here. This is the time the students get to express themselves and release the inner artist. In art, there are open-ended and boundless creative possibilities.
Group 3A kids were eager and excited to have their art class, because they had missed it for three straight weeks due to scheduling conflicts. When I announced to the class what they were going to do, they were thrilled.
I set up the working area outdoors hoping they could connect with nature and get an inspiration while doing primary color painting. The frenzied students wanted to start right away each using a set of primary color paints with 3 brushes and 1 piece of white paper.
At first, some students were capricious and dubious of
what they were going to do or make. Were
they going to mix the colors to create new ones or work only with the primary
colors? But after a moment they were
overflowing with ideas.
It's so neat to see what they can do on their own. Each a work of art indeed!
- Jae Ann Labra, Level C Teacher
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