My Summer Classes 2010

After several years of not teaching regularly,I taught a Creative Writing Class to our High School scholars for almost five weeks this summer. Participants were incoming Seniors, Juniors, and Sophomores from different public and private high schools.  Forty students attended classes every morning from Tuesdays to Thursdays.

Today, we celebrated the writing achievements of each student.  We went to the Chinese Garden in Rizal Park, Manila to share stories and talk about what this summer meant for all of us. My students improved in their writing! They also enjoyed each other's company since each of the two sessions had students from different levels and different schools. 

As their teacher, I feel blessed to have been able to spend part of my summer with the Hungry Minds High School scholars.  I got to know my students once again, now as teenagers. 

Graduation and Donor Recognition 2010

I don't need a calendar for me to know that it's that time of year once again.  The flurry of exam preparations, submission of projects, and computation of grades tell me that the school year is drawing to an end.  Graduation is just around the corner. I look at our Sixth Graders and remember how they started in Hungry Minds three years ago.  They seemed so tiny, timid, and shy.  I certainly hope that after being with us for three school years and two summers, these children are smarter, healthier, and wiser.

This time of year is also a time for us to remember those who were part of our journey especially for the past year.  Companies certainly contributed to the cause of Hungry Minds.  So did countless volunteers who shared many hours teaching our students, chaperoning us in our events, and just hanging out to have fun.

Our Donor Recognition and Graduation Ceremonies next week is our way of saying thank you to all those who have been part of giving these children a better chance in life.  It is also a chance for us to keep in touch with our supporters and cheerleaders from the past and even meet new Hungry Minds friends.

Please take some time to be with us on this day.  Bring friends and family since I know they will also enjoy the program.  I look forward to seeing you again and meeting your family and friends!  I posted the invitation to our Graduation and Donor Recognition Ceremonies.  This was made by one of our volunteers, Rikki Jao.  Thanks, Rikki! :)

A Flicker of Hope

How could it be February 2010 already? My last entry was in October of 2009, many moons ago. Since then, so much has happened. Typhoon Ondoy hit our country and Hungry Minds homes were not spared. When I asked parents whether we should collect relief goods and clothes for their families, I was told that they were fine. Help should be given to those who need it most, those whose homes were totally damaged by the floods. Such generosity of spirit, if I may say so.

Since my last entry, two fires have hit our communities in Manila. Once again, our families were not spared. About fifteen families lost their homes and property. Up to now, they are rebuilding their lives with the help of those who so generously shared what they had even just weeks after the big flooding.

I spoke with one of our boys on Hungry Minds high school scholarship. His family lost everything. He told me that his Third Quarter grades went down because he was helping rebuild his house after school. He carried hollow blocks and sand so that his family could have a place to live in soon. Afterwards, he had such a difficult time studying since it got so dark because there was no electricity. Yet again he assured me that this Fourth Quarter his grades will get better. Despite what happened, he still had enough courage to look me in the eye and tell me that it will be all right.

Sometimes I am overwhelmed with things that happen in Hungry Minds that I don't get to write them down. The next time I look so much time has passed, so many stories have unfolded. As always, the Hungry Minds story continues in the lives of our children who continue to struggle in spite of their young age. Some are overpowered with their difficulties. Most triumph over them.

I look forward to writing more stories this 2010. Some of these stories may bring you laughter. Others may bring you tears. However these stories may get across to you, may they somehow provide inspiration during times when you search for a flicker of hope amidst your despair. May these encourage you to carry on in spite of how difficult life may seem to be. Aside from bringing you closer to Hungry Minds, my hope is that these stories will allow you to get closer to satisfying your own hunger for joy, for love, for life!

Cheers to 2010!

Lunch Talk: A Discussion on Citizenship

I had fun during lunch today. I sat with some Sixth Graders and they told me that their last class was Social Studies. We had a lively discussion on citizenship. I was told that one can become a Filipino citizen either by birth or by naturalization. We had several combinations of parents and different examples of ways one can become a Filipino.

Then I asked, "If you had a chance to be born again, what citizenship would you like to have?" Angela said, "Filipino, of course." Karl said he wanted to try out something new and be Canadian. Karen said she wanted to be Korean. I guess this is because of the Korean shows she sees on TV. Then Clifford said, "I want to be Chinese." I asked him why. He said, "I like noodles!" :)

Photo Credit: http://www.matsuk12.us/tms/lib/tms/lunch.gif

Today - August 17, 2009

As I write this I am in a hotel room in Honduras (on-du'-rras). I am writing to remember that today, I had the privilege to orient the Academic Director of Food for Hungry Minds School Honduras, Fernando. He had so many good questions. Thankfully, I had some answers.

More than five years ago, I would not have thought of being in a country in Central America telling someone my Hungry Minds stories. I just concentrated on doing what I loved and what I needed/wanted to do. Look at where these have brought me now. I had a good trip down memory lane reliving all the good times and the hard lessons. As I told those stories, I was just so proud of children, parents, teachers, staff, donors, and volunteers who have been with me once, twice, or throughout the whole endeavor. I am so honored to be in this journey and to be surrounded by people who have been of so much help.

I know that in the future there will be more stories written, more pictures taken, and more lives transformed because of Food for Hungry Minds. I just don't want to forget today.