Staff Blog
A toddler proudly rushes to show her Sunday school artwork to her big sister. A school-aged child scans the audience to see his parents watch him perform. A teen gets emotional over the applause she receives after delivering a heartfelt speech. You and I, whether we admit it or not, also long to be lauded, validated, or acknowledged for some of our accomplishments or for simply doing a good job. Be it on birthdays, special events, and occasions—like being on stage to get a diploma—we all want to be recognized or appreciated.
When it comes to students—kindergarten, elementary, or high school—it's not any different. Being in a phase where there's not only much learning but also change and growth, they, too, need to be recognized for their milestones and successes. This is where the Baccalaureate comes in. The Baccalaureate is a celebration of our students' hard work and achievements. It is where graduates are recognized and praised for finally crossing the finish line. It's a joyous celebration, but only so because the people grace the occasion and express love to the celebrants. That's what makes it special—you and me and the love that we share with them.
Warmly welcomed by our Program Director, Eunice Guinanoy, and Field Director, Roberto Atienza Jr., the tone of the celebration was set. In a moment, the graduates began to be recognized, and first up were two kindergarteners who beamed with pride upon hearing their names called for their first graduation. After the recognition, three elementary graduates and a graduate's sister sang and danced with smiles that showed how much they cherished each other. Six junior high school graduates also carried out a skit that spoke some snippets of their high school journey, hearts' worries and desires, and a message affirming that the Lord's purpose will prevail in their lives. One senior high school graduate also shared a thank-you speech expressing gratitude to CSC and two other graduates' reflections and gratitude to the Lord and everyone who supported them to make their way to the end of a chapter. Their journey was not just about academic achievements but also about emotional growth and resilience, which we all can relate to.
Heartfelt prayers echo in the room where heads are bowed. One of the celebration's highlights is when houseparents prayed for their respective graduates. We surrendered the graduates' new chapter to our unchanging Heavenly Father. To continue the lovely atmosphere, everyone enjoyed various snacks and refreshments. The attendees were delighted to see the appealing colors and flavors of the food and enjoyed the bites while conversations flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and shared memories.
Our presence, applause, prayers, and efforts to celebrate are the ways we validate their achievements. We were there, too; we graduated, too. And we had our share of victories and celebrations. Some people were with us, too—many or few. There may have been times when no one was there to watch us succeed. It doesn't make the milestone any less significant. What's important is that we finished something. What is better though is that we celebrate with people. That's what a Baccalaureate is—a celebration of shared achievements and the community that makes it possible.
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.
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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.
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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!
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Nutrition is Important
Recently, Children of Hope School emphasized nutrition along with the rest of the schools in the Philippines. There are some many benefits to eating healthy foods. The children learned many things from the basics of what foods are healthy to why some foods are good for you and some are bad for you.
Enjoy this song from two of the students!
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God bless and Godspeed to you, Auntie Sandy!
Last Saturday, the staff, the Aunties, Uncles and children of CSC sang the traditional farewell song for and prayed over Auntie Sandy. It was a surreal experience to be saying goodbye to one of CSC's founders. Auntie Sandy has been a fixture at CSC for the past 36 years. She is a very important and real part of so many of our children's and adoptive families' stories. She has left an impressive legacy and she will not be forgotten.
There are many things we will miss about Auntie Sandy:
Like the fact, that she and only she, can put that beaming smile on Joemar's face! :)
The fact that her arms and her heart are always open for a child in need of loving.
Her excitement when passing out donations!
How she values and and encourages others.
What she means to everyone at CSC: Aunties, Uncles, staff and children.
How much she loves the color blue! ;)
There are so many more things about Auntie Sandy that we miss; I cannot possibly list them all here. And truth be told, her absence is felt every day, but the shelter that she and others started all those years ago, must continue on and move forward. Because there are still children that need help. God's work is not done in Cebu. And though CSC will not be the same without her as it was with her, she has left a foundation upon which this ministry can and will build.
I have had the privilege of working alongside Auntie Sandy for the past few years. I first started working at CSC in 2011, serving as the Interm Child Development Director while Sandy had a year-long furlough in MN. What a whirlwind year of learning and growth that was! When she returned and resumed her role as the Director, I became an additional member of the Child Development team, working also with Ruth and Amy. In preparing for Sandy's retirement, I was asked to direct the Child Development department. It is an honor I have accepted. I have learned much in the 4 years I have been here and I know I will continue to learn. Thank you, Auntie Sandy, for your wisdom shared and the opportunity to watch you at work.
God Bless and Godspeed to you, Auntie Sandy!
Please pray for Auntie Sandy as she continues to serve CSC in MN over the next year and as she moves into retirement, that God will continue to use her to further His kingdom. Please pray for CSC in Cebu as well. I would appreciate your prayers as I start my new position and as the Child Development team learns to function with only three members now instead of four.
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