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.
First Tears
Level A class has one girl
and six boys and that lone girl is a sweety. She always wears a beautiful smile every day.
But one day during the first week of school, her smile turned to a frown and she
eventually shed some tears. The reason she was crying was because she got tired
of writing her name! The class kept on encouraging her to do it, but it didn’t
help. She was then brought outside the room to calm down. After a few minutes,
she was back with her beautiful smile again.
Basketball!
The kids like games, sports, activities and visitors. Right before school started, a visitor shared his love of basketball with the kids.
Every morning for a week, the driveway was full of bouncing balls and kids learning new skills in basketball. Dribbling, passing, shooting, and rebounding were the focus, of course.
Basketball is not a new game at all in the Philippines, but all kids need to start learning at some point. This past week was the time for some of the CSC kids to learn a bit.
Some terms that are used in basketball vary from one side of the Pacific Ocean to the other. In the US, a made shot which hits only the net, not touching the rim or backboard, is called a “swish.” In the Philippines, that shot is called “ringless.”
Different cultures’ coming together always opens doors to learning new things, from new terms to different approaches to a game.
Check out the video of the basketball fun.
Twin Babies Arrive
Today was fun at the shelter. Twin babies arrived!
The little boy and girl were born at Glory Reborn maternity clinic. So many loving hands and hearts have already cradled these precious children in their few short days. CSC is excited to continue the loving care which Glory Reborn started.
As the twins came in the gates of CSC, aunties from all the houses were buzzing, “Are those the new twin babies?” Hundreds of babies have received loving care at CSC and still the arrival of two more babies is an exciting event.
The little twins are settling into the Eicher nursery. The other toddlers are peeking into their crib. In the evening, the older children in Cherne home crowded around a camera to see a picture of the two new children.
The love and care for the new twins will come from everyone—toddlers to adults.
When is snack time?
School opening is one of the most exciting events of the school year after weeks of summer vacation. Teachers and students have been waiting for this day to come.
For the teachers, this day marks the new adventure they will have with their students. On day one the teachers try to present the new school year with enthusiasm and anticipation that the students will learn their lessons in school.
For the students this day will be the confirmation of who they think their teachers are and their classmates in the morning and afternoon sessions. For the younger students it’s time to remember where they are going and figure out what comes next.
Here is an experience of one of our students:
At 9:30 the bell rang when it was snack time. All of the students were in the snack room to eat their snack. A new student asked for more snacks, but the teacher explained to him that one helping of snack was enough. So the student went to math class. The next time the bell rang for the start of math class, the new student asked, “Are we eating snack again?” He'll get the hang of it and figure out there is only one snack time in the morning.
The Five Dollar Bill
A cool thing happened the other day. I was unpacking a box of math workbooks Tammy Vosika had brought over to Cebu. I had actually packed the box of books myself in Minnesota and taped it up, ready to go, and dropped it off at Tammy’s house. In Cebu as I unzipped the travel bag around the box, I noticed the tape was gone from the box. That was not surprising as boxes are often inspected at some point during the travel route. As I was taking the books out of the box, there was a five dollar bill taped to one of the books! I was a bit surprised and wondered out loud if Tammy had taped the money in between the books just to see if the inspection guys were honest. Tammy came around a bit later and I asked her about the money. She said she had not put any money in the box! So that meant an inspector at one of the airports, most likely Minneapolis or Chicago, had taped the five dollars to the box, contributing to the shelter and school. Maybe that person read the name of the orphanage on the outside of the travel bag. Maybe he had a connection to the Philippines. We’ll never know, but what a sweet and powerful reminder of God’s work. Thank you to that anonymous donor!