MA'AM CHING'S SMILE: HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL MY CHILDREN OF GOD!

"This is my new "pakulo" for my Children of God: Personalized Bags!"(Ma'am Ching)

The LAGES Children of God have anticipated for this day. This would be the day they were going to receive their most awaited back packs from Ma’am Ching. Supposedly, these should be given last week however due to weak health condition of our dearest Ma’am Ching, it was postponed.

A smile that could launch a thousand hopes
and inspirations.

But this afternoon, the back draft have glistened every Child of God’s face. And they were more amazed when they saw the bags. I knew they were excited ‘cause they kept on asking me about what time Ma’am Ching would arrive. Though these back packs have ignited joy and excitement among our Children of God but for me, I was more worried about Ma’am Ching. But I knew Ma’am Ching would love to hand the bags personally. I understand she would be more excited to see the joy in every child of God’s eyes when they got hold of their personalized bag packs. And I myself, would also love to see Ma’am Ching smile. Ma’am Ching’s smile means a lot to me and to the rest who loves her so much. For us in Leon, her smile could launch a thousand ships of hopes and inspirations. Hopes, for her beloved Children of God and; inspirations for us. She brings hopes to her Children of God. And we believe that with her advocacy she inspires children to come to school. She often asked me about her past Children of God who were already in high school. And when she heard good stories about them, she would smile and say “maayo.” And this is one of the reasons why we love to see Ma’am Ching smiles.

"Lord, Your will be done"

“Lord, your will be done.” This was one of the lines of Ma’am Ching’s prayer. It was a powerful prayer. But I knew God knows how much Ma’am Ching had enlightened our lives. And I knew God would bless Ma’am Ching more years because we (LAGES Children of God) always pray for it. In fact, we always sing the Happy Birthday song for Ma’am Ching. We do this because if it is your birthday, it is your special day and we believe that God grants wishes to celebrants. And every time, I lead the Happy Birthday Song for Ma’am Ching, we wish her good health and long life. Kaya kahit hindi nya birthday, we sing this song so God would know we want the pinkest of health for Ma’am Ching. And we would never get tired singing happy birthday for her until God hears our prayer.

“Thank you, Ma’am Ching,” poured out during the bags’ distribution. Indeed, the children of God burst with laughter. They opened their bags and they found more school materials inside. There were even lollipops (thank you LAGES teachers) and a pack of biscuit. The gym was filled with happiness. Some Children of God’s parents were around, and they saw how much joy their son/daughter had expressed upon receiving their bags. I knew Ma’am Ching wanted to feed them with her specialties; however her health does not permit her to do so. But Ma’am Ching managed to give the bags with a smile.

"We prayed for good health for Ma'am Ching, too." (Children of God )

There were 240 recipients of school materials (LAGES and DSDES). 165 were lucky to own Children of God personalized bags (81 DSDES and 84 LAGES). While, the grade III received some

schools materials. A young girl (grade 1) immediately run towards her mother and said “Naa nako bag, ma.” Maybe this girl had no bag before. Another grade 1 came to me and said “salamat, mam kay nadayon na jud.” I remembered this girl, she was “makulit”. She once came to my room wearing the Child of God t-shir

,”Wala lagi nanghatag ug bag kaganina ma’am?
Naka-tshirt na bya ko.”

t and told me,”wala lagi nanghatag ug bag kaganina ma’am? Naka-tshirt na bya ko.” As if she blamed me for the postponement of the distribution. The fact was the grade 1 girl barely had notebooks and papers. The school materials she received would mean so much to her. These were few stories among the many inspiring stories each Children of God could tell. Simple stories, yet touching ones. Stories which we wish God would listen, and pave way to a more healthy life for Ma’am Ching. Because  we know that Ma’am Ching wanted to continue her advocacy but how could she if is sick; so we really pray for her good, good health, for the Children of God and for all of us who loves her so tenderly (miira s. ellevera 6/19/13).

Grade II Children of God

GradeIII Children of God

My new babies: LAGES grade 1 students!

God Bless Ma'am Ching

     

 

Truly! how great thou Art! Ma'am Ching was able to gather all these materials from kind people.

      After Ma’am Ching’s feeding last school year 2012-2013, she kept telling that some of her friends were convincing her to discontinue the Children of God advocacy since it has greatly affected her health. However, she already had plans on how to pursue her advocacy and she planned it all throughout summer vacation. And the evidences were cleared and posted on her FB account.

These large calderine has caused my pain (heart enlargement) but 160 boys and girl find great joy with it. I cooked their foods here.

   

       Does God only touch the heart of those whose has been so concerned with others like Ma’am Ching?

‘Cause in spite of how weak she is, she shared whatever she could shared to her Children of God. Even me wanted to let her pause for a while with her advocacy and hope she will be in better shape. In fact, we(me and her LAGES Children of God members)  always prioritize her health on our prayers before taking her sumptuous meals. I could not really fathom the wisdom of the Lord for touching Ma’am Ching to be an instrument of kindness. When others are so rude yet strong and healthy but here comes Ma’am Ching who is so inspired to help but then weak and sickly.

In fact, we(me and her LAGES Children of God members)  always prioritize her health on our prayers before taking her sumptuous meals.

Ma'am Ching's good friend Dr. Otana. She was once a donor of her advocacy.

          She texted me last Wednesday, May 30, 2013. And Voila! I arrived at her house with files and bags and school supplies. She instructed me to update our blogsite and took pictures of all these school materials so she could acknowledge everybody who has extended their help with her advocacy. Ah kaya pala she can’t stop because she has been an outlet of other’s kindness. Her former students, co-workers, acquaintances and friends shared their blessings through her advocacy. She told me all their stories on how she got their help and I could not digest all of them. But I felt happy listening to all her blah!blah! since they were stories of helping others. T’was I could say, God still has left lots of battalion here on earth. And Ma’am Ching is their wakeup call.

Personalized Children of of God

      Ma’am Ching could barely move but her minds were always for the goodness of her dearest Children of God. I could not help to watch her pack these things, so I managed to place all the school materials inside the handsome personalized Children of God bag. It was cute and any child, who would wear it, could be an envy of others. While inserting the materials inside the bag, I remember my declamation piece about a young girl who took some school materials from a store and she was put to trial for not paying them. And it sounds like this:

Notebook for you!

                “Kumuha po ako ang papel at lapis para iguhit lahat ng pangarap ko. Kukulayan ko po ito ng magandang-maganda, nang sa ganun magkaroon ng kulay ang buhay ko. At buburahin ko po bawat pagkakamali aking magagawa. Nang sa ganun kahit sa papel man lamang, maging perpekto aking buhay. .  . Your honor masama po ba ang mangarap?”

I find great joy with my advocacy that's why I can't let it loss.

                But with the alliance of kind people through Ma’am Ching, some young girls won’t commit these wrong deeds. So, our heartfelt gratitude to the following for helping us realize the dreams of some LAGES and DSDES students:

These erasers were from Butch Benitez.

There are 170 school bags and all these are donated by Engr. Angelito Villegas 10 k, Rey Alegarbes 2,500 , May Aronakes 1,000 I added few hundred only..............but without Angelito Villegas who donated such big amount i won't be brave to order personalized schoolbags for the children....... why? my money all goes to my medicines and doctor's fees..........

Papers from Stella Ganzon

 

Notebooks donated by USEP Lab School Batch 1983

From Engr. Elaine and Jed Tan

          Let me share this beautiful homely of Father Montaña, a Rogationist priest. He was talking about how St. Francis of the Assisi relate the importance of sharing the least that you have, that every time you share a little of what you have; you become a Eucharist to others. (Miira S. Ellevera 6/2/2013)

DONORS   IN MY ADVOCACY-SCHOOLYEAR 2013-14"God listed them"				EXPENSES FOR THE CHILXREN
Arch Engr.Angelito  Villegas	10,000	H.S. batch '78	4/2/2013	170  SCHOLBAGS (added 10)	14,000
REY  ALEGARBES	2,500	H.S.batch'80	4/3/2013	PENCIL  SHARPENERS	400
MAY PAULINO ARONALES	1,000	former M.A. stdnt	3/28/2013	Additional  notebooks  520 pcs	4,700
BB Istabillo	1,000	coop board member	4/5/2013	taxi fare	220
DR. SIXTO DALEON	2,000	USEP PROF.		additional   crayola , erasers, papers	1,200
FRITZY GALLIDO	3,000	USEP CAS /my Godchild	5/25/2013	total expeses	20,520
JULIE JAUM	2,000	ANN'S FRIEND	5/18/2013	FOODS DURING THE DISTRIBUTION  FOR
ENGR. CHING MENDOZA	1,000	former college  stdnt	5/17/2013	D.S.D.E.S. & L.A.G.E.S.
Annie  gomez  bowling	4,120	h.s. batch '80  5/2713
total  cash donation	26,620	as of   may 27,13
total  cash donation
DONATION  IN KINDS
DADIE  ANGCON-OLHR friend	OLHR frnd
320  PIECES   MONGOL PENCILS
160   CRAYOLA SML BOX with 8 PIECES  CONTENT
BUTCH BENITEZ  1,000 former RMC  co.tchr
160 PENCIL ERASERS
Engr. Stella Garzon former coll, stdnt
100 pad  papers    grade 1 & 2
BATCH '83    NOTEBOOKS & BALL PENS.PENCILS

Lesson from Emil. . .

Young Emil during the Children of God Christmas Party 2012.

"THIS CHILD HAS A SAD ST0RY IN MY HEART. HE IS VINCENT EMIL RICARDO WHO PASSED AWAY LAST MAY 11. LAST SCHOOL YEAR HE REFUSED TO BE TRANSFERRED IN “BUSOG, LUSOG, TALINO FEEDING PROGRAM” WHICH  SERVES LUNCH DAILY; HE PREFERRED TO BE ENISTED IN MY CHILD OF GOD ADVOCACY WHOM I AM HAVING A ONCE A WEEK FEEDING ONLY. HE LIKES THE FOOD I SERVE AND HE IS EXCITED TO RECEIVE MANY GIFTS DURING DECEMBER FROM ME. WHEN HE PASSED AWAY, HIS PARENTS INFROMED ME. i JUST BROUGHT FOOD ONCE DURING HS WAKE THE Usual chicken adobo i feed them. I miss this child......he has still a share of the school bag and materials this June but these will be given to his elder brother.........Vincent please pray for me because i am sickly now". 

Ma'am Ching

 

     This was posted in my Ma’am Ching FB last May 30, 2013. It was me who informed her of the misfortune of the boy. I felt sad and became sadder when Ma’am Ching told me that she could barely walk a few steps due to her health condition. Yet, I could not be with Ma’am Ching since I have to perform my task as BEI for the upcoming election then. Two hours after, I heard Ma’am Ching looking for me. She did visit the wake of Emil inspite of her condition. Analyzing the situation, it came to me so complicated. But one thing I am certain of, Ma’am Ching indeed care for the lost of Emil. And no matter how hard the situation, a mother will always be a mother (whether biologically or not biologically).

     I knew few things about Emil, I know his grade level, his age and birthday, and even his dream in life which is to be a police officer; that is if I would check my record. Anything else, he’s just an ordinary student in our school and my regular attendant for the Children of God Feeding Advocacy. But his death has taught me two lessons in life.

     First, simplicity. The boy was so simple. He has been sick but he never complained. A teacher told me that if he is feed of “chichiria”; he would experience “pamamanas”. I even thought he was healthy because he was chubby. But that was already an indication that he was suffering kidney troubles. When he was given food, he quietly takes his food. Ah I remember, one time I noticed he was not able to finish his food but I told him to clean up his plate so he would receive gift on December. Starting then on, I received an empty plate from him. Could this mean something from him? Yes! Read the next lesson. .

     Second, humility. He came from a less fortune family so what should he be proud of? That’s right! He has nothing to show off but he got more. He got a very big heart. He has never been a headache to his teacher because; he sits quietly and listens to every teacher’s instructions. Her adviser said that he performed well in class during the first and second grading. He never had fights with his classmate but instead remind them to be nice to teacher. And every morning, when I pass at their house, he greets me “good morning Ma’am; and on when I’m on my way home, still “good morning Ma’am”. My fellow teacher even joked “mo-datuay jud ning bataa kay murag intsik, masking udto ug hapon “good morning Ma’am” ghapon.”

Emil's box (at his back) during the party was quite big.This was where he placed his all his gifts he received from Ma'am Ching.

     Third, be sensible. In spite of a very young age, he cared for his family needs. Mrs. Salazar informed him about he would be transferred to the BLT program, so that he would get daily meals. But her(Mrs. Salazar) heart was twisted when the boy reasoned out “Ayaw lang ma’am kay naa man gud mi regalo sa pasko. Hatagan man mi ug bugas. Wala bya trabaho si Papa.” How could anyone refuse the request of someone so young yet; thinks like a mature person? As if he does carry the whole word at his back? . .  for his family? . . was he really that sensible? We packed the rice, and it’s not a sack of rice EACH; but a kilo or two kilos EACH for the members of Children of God. And how did he come up with this idea when he had not participated any of our Christmas party before (Kinder are not included to be members of Children of God)? Maybe he had observed it? And concluded to himself “I would be one of the Children of God someday”? Were these the reasons why he gave me “empty plates” after each meal he has? And why he was so nice to his adviser so that he be chosen to be a member of Children of God? Questions kept baffling my mind. It was sad we lost one good soul but his life is living testimony of God’s goodness. May we continue to learn from Emil. . .(Miira S. Ellevera 6/1/2013)