By Nancy Asbill
Once again we would like to share a report from KMMS in the Philippines. Since the school began, there has been a desire to see children learn and excel. The vision was to bring children from very poor families and give them an opportunity to learn and be in school.
Through the years of diligence and perseverance of those working at and with the school, one can see this vision is a reality. Today we will take you to the school and introduce you to several of the very special children of KMMS. I saw a quote once, “If your life inspires just one child, your life has been a success.”
Let us meet some of these special treasures at KMMS.
Here is Shanaine Kate C. Suson. She has such a sweet smile as she comes to sit down and talk with me. She speaks English quite well and explains to me that her father taught her English. At the school they also teach the children how to speak English, so with her father’s help, along with the school, she has excelled.
Shanaine tells me she is ten years old and in 5th grade. She has been at the school since 2nd grade and especially likes science and math and enjoys reading very much. Since Shanaine enjoys learning at KMMS, it is no surprise that she has the distinction of being first in her class.
Shanaine lives with her parents and grandparents. The grandparents have shared their home with Shanaine, her parents, and her sister and brother. Her father works as a mechanic. Another favorite thing Shanaine likes to do is cook with her mother and grandmother; she also likes helping to buy the vegetables and fruits at the market. Shanaine likes making cakes and someday she would like to be a chef in a restaurant. One day she hopes to study at a culinary school to learn how to be a chef. With her eagerness and willingness to work hard, one day we might just be able to eat some of her culinary delights at a local restaurant. It is time for Shanaine to return to class and here comes Gezer Luba.
Gezer Luba is a shy little 4th grader that is nine years old and he has been at KMMS since he was in nursery school (pre-school, as some call it). As Gezer begins to talk to me, you can tell he is determined to do well in school and in 3rd grade he was first in his class. He tells me he likes to listen to his teacher and likes learning English. He especially likes reading and writing. Some of his favorite books to read are jungle books. He does admit science and education of home economics are not his favorite subjects to learn, but he assured me he works hard to do them anyway.
Gezer lives with his single mother and grandparents. His face lit up as he told me about helping his grandpa. Gezer will help his grandpa do carpentry projects and take care of their many chickens, including gathering eggs. Gezer says one of the foods he likes the most to eat is eggs.
Another thing Gezer likes to do is draw – he spends his free time drawing houses, hoping one day to be an engineer or architect.
Gezer’s total school education has been at KMMS and you can see he is truly an example of the quality of the education he is receiving.
Let us now meet Beyonce Ehrich T. Trasmonte. For such a young lady she sure has a big name. Beyonce might not be real tall but she has a big heart and enjoys school. She is ten and in 6th grade. Beyonce has been with KMMS six years as she started school here in 1st grade. Beyonce especially likes reading and speaking English and one of her favorite things to do is read, particularly true stories. She also likes math, especially subtraction, art, science and learning the computer. One of her aspirations is to be a teacher. Beyonce thinks teaching ten year old children would be good.
Beyonce has a brother and two sisters. They live with her parents and grandparents.
I asked her what foods she likes the most and she said fruits and vegetables. Her favorite color is red.
Her mother works as a clerk in a store and right now her father helps at home and also does a lot of the cooking. With Beyonce’s desire to be a 6th grade teacher, God knows maybe one day she will be on the KMMS staff.
Last, but not least, let us talk with Christian Luc M. Lanon, a 5th grader at KMMS. Christian is ten years old and has been at the school since 3rd grade.
Christian has attended different schools; he learned English at the Baptist school and after that went to a public school where he experienced a lot of bullying. Christian lives with his aunt and when she heard about KMMS, she wanted to enroll him here.
Christian likes being at the school and enjoys English, science and GMRC.
He wants to do well in school so one day he can have a job so he can help poor people.
At home Christian likes to help clean and wash dishes. His aunt runs a small shop her grandma gave her.
Christian said yes, he likes fruits and vegetables, but fried chicken is his favorite. Another fun thing for this young man is boxing with his older brother. I asked him if his older brother ever gives him a right jab, Christian said he is learning to “bob and weave” (meaning move around as not to get hit).
Christian is happy to be at KMMS. May he continue to grow in knowledge and know the love of God for himself to be able to help the poor and needy when he grows up.