A Message from our Filipino rep, Helen Grace Agawin

May 28th, 2012

Dear Sponsors and Friends,

Greetings from the Philippines. 

Sua and Maravilla Elementary School student’s summer vacation is almost over.  Regardless of what they have economically every child and parent is busy preparing for the next school year buying school supplies, uniforms, and keeping themselves enrolled in their respective schools.

Classes in public schools all over the country will start on June 4, 2012.

Sua Elementary School is looking forward to your undying generosity through the Meals @ School Program. I have received messages from the parents asking me if the Meals @ School program will still be continued in their school.

  

The total balance in our budget at the close of the last school year was 861.30 Php. (or $20), but now, thanks to you wonderful sponsors and supporters, we now have received your Give Children Hope funding in the amount of $2,000!!  So now we have $2,020 for the Meals at School program for June through August of this school year.  Maravilla School has been provided similar Give Children Hope funding that Sua School here in Camarines, Sur has received.

I teach community college Spanish Classes here in the Philippines and work ten hours a day as an instructor but I owe all my success to my early elementary school child sponsorship I received from Give Children Hope's Philippines programs.  Camarines Sur is a very poor province here in Camarines Sur and this program gave me a chance to rise about the poverty we have everywhere here.  Thank so much for the love and support you give the children here.  

  

May you all be blessed for this great work you are doing for the children.

Helen Grace Agawin,
Give Children Hope, 

Greetings from our representative, Kristina Sunico

June 2, 2012

Dear Sponsors,

June 4 starts a new school year for the children here in the Philippines. There are so many things that they are excited about. To see old and new classmates, to learn new things and to study with their new teachers; these are just some of the things that they look forward to. K12 has been the new education system here in the Philippines since the last year. There are so many things that this systems will teach the children. We are so happy whenever the government makes an extra effort for the betterment of the children here in the Philippines. These children are the most important treasure that this country has.

I have learned that in your country, National Children's Day is being celebrated (which comes between Mother's Day and Father's Day) and it largely comes without much notice by most people. This year, I give special recognition to all children throughout the world and how you as sponsors have brought great change to the children receiving your love and critical food and school support.

I commend these children for being responsible in their school work that they do not waste their time but give more attention to their studies after some time for play. I love to see them value the education that is given to them, they work hard to excel and participate well in school. They are lovely children and they recognize the greatness of your help so they value it so much. They are growing to be matured individuals.

A grade 5 student, Macky Almendral, expressed his gratitude for the Meals at School program that it helped him not to get hungry in school ("Happy Father's Day po dahil may feeding dito sa school at hindi na kami nagugutom", as he said in tagalog)

Mary Grace Borja, grade 5, also expressed her gratitude with words that said, "We are thankful for the feeding that we always get full stomach" ("Maraming salamat sa feeding dahil dito kami ay nabubusog, dahil sa inyo ay madaming natutulungan, as she expressed in tagalog)

I know that these children can make a big difference in their families, community, and even in our country. Thank you for helping them build their dreams. The love that you are making them feel makes a great difference in their lives though their lives are not easy.

Every dollar you give goes to helping these children be better people someday. We would also like to express our sincerest greetings to all the Father's, thank you for your love and support.

Kristina Sunico

Manila, Philippines

For the Sponsored Give Children Hope

Children in the Philippines

Kristina Lou Sunico

Getting set up for the new school year

Scrubbing the pots and dishes

These mothers did a fantastic job making everything look brand new.  We appreciate all their hard work.

Happy Mother's Day

Dear Give Children Hope Sponsors,

How have you been this past month? We hope you had a nice Holy Week! School is off until the first week of June so the kids are out having their vacation with some relatives. We have been experiencing really hot weather these days which is usual during summer, but oftentimes, we think that the weather is too hot. Most homes in the Philippines have no cool air coming in so we sometimes spent time in the air-cooled stores.   

We've had graduation ceremonies in April and some in May. We are glad to let you know that we've had a number of sponsored children who have graduated and will begin another chapter of their life. I know that they are so thrilled to be on the next level of their education. We thank you for being a part of that. It is one of the most wonderful experiences in a student's life.

The Meals at School Program continues to feed the children in Sua and Maravilla Elementary School. We are excited for the next school year to begin in June. Being part of this program really gives us a sense of humanitarianism. These kids are really in need and we thank you for helping them.

As we celebrate also this month to give honor to all our wonderful mothers, we asked the children how their mothers have supported and inspired them throughout their life.

Enos Tantiangco,  a sponsored elementary school student with our Give Children Hope Meal Program, said: “My mother has been my greatest teacher and has given me support, from homework and with the little decisions that I am now beginning to make”.

 Another 3rd grade girl whose mother has been helping with feeding meals for the children said: “My mother is one of the most supportive persons in my life. My mother would always remind me of the importance of school and would always say that there are people who are like angels that are willing to help those nice children. My mother would always tell me: 'The Meals at School Program is one of the things that these good people bring to them'".

 I know for myself that there are a lot of kindhearted mothers out there. The mothers of the sponsored children in the school where we feed the children have been so great in helping us from the very start. They are at the school early in the morning to gather wood and to prepare the food for the days meals for the children. They always make sure that these children are all full. I know that they have a lot of little and great sacrifices. We all commend them!

You have been a great help to these children and to their families. Your every dollar donations goes a long way and every single dollar goes out to feed the children. We are so blessed to have you!

May you have a wonderful mother's day celebration! We give thanks to all the sponsors and to all the mothers everywhere. 

Kristina Sunico, Manila, Philippines
For the Give Children Hope Sponsored Children

Food Baskets for Brazil

Here are some pictures of an orphanage in Porto Alegre Brazil.  Our president, Douglas Cooper brought food baskets for the children through your efforts at Give Children Hope.  It was well received and we hope that we can do more projects like this in the future.

March Letter to the Sponsors

Dear Sponsors,

This month is one of the most celebrated and meaningful months of the year.  We celebrate with the world as we commemorate the sacrifice, death, and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Most of us have our own way of celebrating this meaningful event. Even the young ones have their own understanding of what this season is all about. We went and asked a few of the sponsored children what Easter means to them. A lot of heartfelt and genuine answers were gathered and here are a few:

            “We celebrate Lenten Season for us to show how the Lord suffered. People stay away from eating porkas a way to show their sacrifice for the Lord. (“Ang mahal na araw ay isang paraan upang makita natin kung panonagdusa ang Panginoon. Bawal kumain ng karne dahil dito natin pinakikita angsakripisyong ating inalay para sa ating mahal na paginoon.)  - Vanessa R. Melicor , Grade VI–

        “Though we do a lot of different ways to show our celebration of this Lenten Season, it still means one thing, that the Lord suffered on the cross to save us from our sins. In this way, the Lord showed His love for us and He gave His life for us.” (Kahit maramingparaan upang maipakita and mahal na araw, iisa parin ang ibig sabihin nito, nanagpakahirap si Jesus sa krus upang mailigtas lang tayo sa atin mgakasalanana.Sa pamamagitan nito naipakita ni Jesus na mahal niya at handa siyangmagbuwis ng buhay para lag sa ating lahat. )- Isahel B. Tawagon, Grade V-A –

       “During Lenten Season, the bus terminals are full of people going home to their hometowns to be with their families. Lenten Season is all about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ after 3 days.”(Tuwing mahal na araw ay punong-puno ang mga bus terminal dahilmaraming umuuwi sa kanilang pamilya. Ang mahal na araw ay tungkol sa pagkamatayat pagabuhay ulit ni Hesus pagkalipas ng tatlong araw.) - Sherlyn Anne B. Faner, GraDA IV-F

         “Lenten Season begins on Holy Monday and ends on Easter Sunday. These days are when the Lord suffered so we could be free from our sins and the Catholics go to church.”(Ang mahal na araw aynagsisimula kapag Lunes Santo at nagtatapos kapag Linggo ng Pagkabuhay. Sa mgaaraw na ito ay naghihirap si Hesus upang maalis tayo sa pagkakasala. Ang pinakamaginhawasa lahat ay Linggo ng Pagkabuhay. Magsisismba ang lahat ng mga Kristiyano.) - Kay Wendy L. Dapadap Grade VI-T

          These children came from diverse family backgrounds and from different religious denominations, but one thought unites what they have shared. For them, it's all about the Savior, His love and sacrifice for us.

          Thank you for helping bring these children together by the support you give them in their meals at school program. That program is the one great motivation for them to always be present in school. These children have been so happy and have lived a healthier life by the nutrition they get for every day’s feeding.

         Our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for helping feed over 600 children in Sua and Pototan’s Maravilla Elementary Schools.

       Your every dollar donation goes directly to these children. They have been so blessed by your love and kindness.

Please visit our www.facebook.com/givechildrenhope & www.givechildrenhope.blogspot.com 
(Give Children Hope) pages to see pictures of our everyday Meals at School Programs.

May you have joy as you celebrate this Easter Season with your family. Our love for all of you!

For the sponsored children,

Kristina Sunico

A Letter from Helen Regarding the Meals @ School Program

Dear Give Children Hope Sponsors and Friends,

The school year for 2011-2012 has ended for the more than 600 children of Sua and Maravilla Elementary Schools.  They have successfully made it to another step of their lives as students.  The Meals @ School Program has been a great help for each one of them to be in school every day without worrying of getting hungry for the day, as they learn to achieve their dreams in the future.

This is Mrs. Isabel Codez’s words, the School Principal of Sua Elementary School… on facebook:

"Thanks for the sponsors of the schools’ Meal programs.  The parents and pupils are appealing if it will extend next year. It was a big help for the pupils, actually there was a big difference on the nutritional status of the pupils compared [to] previous years where there [was] no feeding program.

To all the sponsors of Give Children Hope, on behalf of the parents, the teachers, the barangay officials, and more than 326 students of Sua and Maravilla Elementary Schools, I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you.  These are the only words they want me to say to you always.  They are hoping that their sponsors will continue the program next school year again.

Helen Grace Agawin

GCH – Camarines Sur Philippines

March 2012 Letter for Give Children Hope Sponsors and Friends

Dear Sponsors and Friends of Give Children Hope,

I hope that you are all in high spirits as you read this letter. The past month has been wonderful to us, though we had several disasters that took hundreds of lives and great damage to properties.

If you can remember, a part of my country was hit by a 6.5 magnitude earthquake...particularly in Guihulngan, Negros Occidental. There were hundreds of deaths and the situation of those people living there was really heartbreaking. Many of the families are staying in shelters because they were so afraid to go back to their damaged houses. The shelters have run out of food, water, and medicine which makes the situation even worst. The good thing is however, that everyone is trying their best to move forward and build their dreams again. We know that there were other countries that suffered so much when this kind of natural disaster hit their country.  Another good thing was that none of our sponsored children got hurt or even suffered much as these events took place. That is one of the greatest things that we are all very thankful for.

Speaking of your sponsored children, all our programs are doing well as they continue to feed the children of Sua and Maravilla Elementary Schools. The effects of the Meals at School Program for these children have been very obvious, as they have a lot more energy to go on with their day and their weights are getting better than before they had this program. I was able to talk to a grade 4 student and he was very happy to tell me that when he gets home, he doesn’t have to worry if there will be food or not because he gets to eat a lot during the feeding program. I also saw the posters that they have made, it is like a slogan, a drawing where they describe the effect of the feeding program to them.  They are really genuine...it is so cute the way these children appreciate the help that you have been giving them.

This month will be the last month for this school year and the kids go on their summer vacation for the month of April and May. The next school year will be a lot different for all of us because the program called K-12 is being implemented. Before, our system was 6 years in Elementary and 4 years in high school so students get to college at around 16 or 17 years old. Well, this change means that our education system will be like in your country. I believe that it will definitely improve their learning.

We are so grateful for the help that you have been extending to us. It has helped these students a lot and it continues to do so. May you all feel our love and gratitude for all that you do for us.

Our love to you from the sponsored children,

Kristina Sunico, Manila, Phillippines. For the Give Children Hope sponsored children.