I would like to apologise to all those who read my Bethany blog for my recent inactivity in bringing you up to date on what is happening here in Talakag.
Sad to say the truth is when we arrived back in Talakag following our visit to the UK to attend our daughters graduation from Stirling University we were informed that my wife Marilou's brother has passed away the day before we arrived.
We were busy assisting the family with funeral arrangements and subsequent protocol which in the Philippines lasts for forty days following the death.
Life goes on however so its now back to something like normality after such a sad occasion.
Friday, October 16, 2009
THE DAILY RECORD and SCOTTISH POWER comes to the Philippines via East Kilbride.
During a recent conversation with Pastor Melchor Gabitano at Bethany Christian School he informed me of the activities of the school football team or soccer as its called in the Philippines. I was to say the least shocked and stunned at this revelation no pun intended Pastor. Football has been of lifelong interest to me both as a player in my younger days and as a supporter to date. Up until he informed me of Bethany Schools involvement I had never witnessed any interest in the game around the town on my numerous previous visits to Talakag or the Philippines for that matter.
On our return to the UK to attend our daughter’s graduation from Stirling University we visited a very dear friend of ours Meriam Hunter nee Quilang a native of Cagayan de Oro now East Kilbride in Scotland and I happened to mention Bethany Christian School and their wish to obtain football equipment. That’s when the miracle happened Meriam contacted her friends in East Kilbride which is located in Lanarkshire an area steeped in football history both past and present and within a few days she called me back to tell me she had obtained a collection of football strips as well as boots etc. I was overwhelmed when I saw what she had managed to gather in such a short time. The principal donor to our football cause is Paul and Debbie Kinghorn who run East Kilbride Rovers and East Kilbride Youths Team as well as individual friends.
Our initial reason for visiting Meriam was due to her informing us that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer last Autumn 2008. Due to us preparing to travel to the Philippines we never had the opportunity to visit her at that time. It was with trepidation that we journeyed to Scotland from our house in the North East of England to see her. Fortunately Meriam had already had the chemotherapy treatment following her surgery and was recovering from its effects as her hair although still short had grown back. Meriam had gained weight as a result of her medication so we did not recognise her at first glance. During our get together we were able to catch up first hand with everything she had gone through since her diagnosis and we were truly humbled by her determination not only to fight her illness but to help others suffering similarly. Despite her condition Meriam does not think solely about herself but instead still thinks about others be it family, friends or strangers and has continued working at the job she loves with David Urquart (Travel) Ltd. http://www.davidurquhart.com/
The Philippine Football Association is now affiliated to FIFA and football is becoming more and more popular especially with satellite TV bringing live games direct from Europe.
Soon the Daily Record will be known all over Mindanao especially if Talakag Town is successful.
On our return to the UK to attend our daughter’s graduation from Stirling University we visited a very dear friend of ours Meriam Hunter nee Quilang a native of Cagayan de Oro now East Kilbride in Scotland and I happened to mention Bethany Christian School and their wish to obtain football equipment. That’s when the miracle happened Meriam contacted her friends in East Kilbride which is located in Lanarkshire an area steeped in football history both past and present and within a few days she called me back to tell me she had obtained a collection of football strips as well as boots etc. I was overwhelmed when I saw what she had managed to gather in such a short time. The principal donor to our football cause is Paul and Debbie Kinghorn who run East Kilbride Rovers and East Kilbride Youths Team as well as individual friends.
Our initial reason for visiting Meriam was due to her informing us that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer last Autumn 2008. Due to us preparing to travel to the Philippines we never had the opportunity to visit her at that time. It was with trepidation that we journeyed to Scotland from our house in the North East of England to see her. Fortunately Meriam had already had the chemotherapy treatment following her surgery and was recovering from its effects as her hair although still short had grown back. Meriam had gained weight as a result of her medication so we did not recognise her at first glance. During our get together we were able to catch up first hand with everything she had gone through since her diagnosis and we were truly humbled by her determination not only to fight her illness but to help others suffering similarly. Despite her condition Meriam does not think solely about herself but instead still thinks about others be it family, friends or strangers and has continued working at the job she loves with David Urquart (Travel) Ltd. http://www.davidurquhart.com/
The Philippine Football Association is now affiliated to FIFA and football is becoming more and more popular especially with satellite TV bringing live games direct from Europe.
Soon the Daily Record will be known all over Mindanao especially if Talakag Town is successful.
Monday, May 18, 2009
JOJO THE HUMAN DYNAMO
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Bethany is very lucky to have in its midst Jojo Rivera a very talented young man sponsored by Terry and Lynn Habeck.
Jojo joined the Bethany team in order to assist with property maintenance and stimulating the creativity of the young people. Jojo has gone way ahead of what was asked of him in both commitment and effort and has earned the respect of everyone he comes in contact with. From beautifully decorating the children’s cottages and day centre to teaching arts and crafts to Bethany School students as well as students at local community schools. His involvement in the design and building of the Bethany booth at the recent Talakag Fiesta earned Bethany an award from Mayor Nestor Macapayag. Jojo has now turned his artistic skills to painting the new signage at the main entrance to the Home and School as well as decorating the exterior walls of the school. Jojo has been instrumental in resurrecting the home gardening initiative with the setting out and planting of vegetable beds to supplement the Homes food requirements. Jojo has shown that when criticism is constructive it becomes motivational and it’s a treat to see how he has welded the team back together again.
If ever there was an example of determination to succeed its Jojo’s efforts and still remaining cool calm and collect when all around him is in a state of chaos.
This is the type of transparency that donors wish to see happening with the money they give, believe me you are not being let down in any way shape or form.
Jojo joined the Bethany team in order to assist with property maintenance and stimulating the creativity of the young people. Jojo has gone way ahead of what was asked of him in both commitment and effort and has earned the respect of everyone he comes in contact with. From beautifully decorating the children’s cottages and day centre to teaching arts and crafts to Bethany School students as well as students at local community schools. His involvement in the design and building of the Bethany booth at the recent Talakag Fiesta earned Bethany an award from Mayor Nestor Macapayag. Jojo has now turned his artistic skills to painting the new signage at the main entrance to the Home and School as well as decorating the exterior walls of the school. Jojo has been instrumental in resurrecting the home gardening initiative with the setting out and planting of vegetable beds to supplement the Homes food requirements. Jojo has shown that when criticism is constructive it becomes motivational and it’s a treat to see how he has welded the team back together again.
If ever there was an example of determination to succeed its Jojo’s efforts and still remaining cool calm and collect when all around him is in a state of chaos.
This is the type of transparency that donors wish to see happening with the money they give, believe me you are not being let down in any way shape or form.
COLLEGE STUDENTS JOIN BETHANY AS PART OF THEIR DEGREE COURSE
On Monday the 18th May three students of Lourdes College in Cagayan de Oro City commenced their work experience at Bethany.
The students Lourdes Michelle Cagubcub, Audiemier L. Zayas and Honey Jane Sabuga-a are in their fourth year taking BSc in Social Welfare. The degree course requires them to complete 500 hours of work experience thus the reason for them being at Bethany working with the toddlers. During their time at Bethany they will be assessed by our resident Social Worker Mrs Rose Longcob who will report on their progress to Lourdes College at the end of their assignment in September. This is an excellent opportunity for the young students to learn about care in the community and be exposed to real life instances of vulnerable children in Bethany’s care.
The students Lourdes Michelle Cagubcub, Audiemier L. Zayas and Honey Jane Sabuga-a are in their fourth year taking BSc in Social Welfare. The degree course requires them to complete 500 hours of work experience thus the reason for them being at Bethany working with the toddlers. During their time at Bethany they will be assessed by our resident Social Worker Mrs Rose Longcob who will report on their progress to Lourdes College at the end of their assignment in September. This is an excellent opportunity for the young students to learn about care in the community and be exposed to real life instances of vulnerable children in Bethany’s care.
RUBBER TREES ARE GROWING
The rubber trees that were planted earlier this year are now beginning to sprout up.
The rainy season plus the fertilizer and insecticide treatment has paid dividends and progress is being made. It is hoped that we can persuade our friends and new donors to help us achieve our goal of planting 10 Hectares / 25 Acres which will go a long way in helping Bethany achieve its desire of being self sustaining in years to come.
Additionally Bethany has planted corn and also vegetables to help in ensuring the kitchen needs are supplemented. With the little funding currently available the staff are making good use of every peso given to them.
BETHANY BOARD ELECTS A NEW CHAIRPERSON
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Bethany’s Board of Trustees has recently installed a new Chairperson in the form of Attorney Chemene Nacua. Ms Nacua is employed by the Department of Justice (Republic of the Philippines) as an Investigating Agent.
Ms Nacua is a graduate of Lourdes College as well as Xavier University and resides in Cagayan de Oro. The Bethany Board of Trustees has been reforming over the last two years and Ms Nacua’s appointment shows how serious the board is taking the task of reorganisation to address the main problem of under funding, that it has faced over the last few years. There will be more additions to the board as new skills and expertise are required in Bethany’s ongoing transformation.
I wish Ms Nacua and the Board of Trustees every success in their future endeavours.
Ms Nacua is a graduate of Lourdes College as well as Xavier University and resides in Cagayan de Oro. The Bethany Board of Trustees has been reforming over the last two years and Ms Nacua’s appointment shows how serious the board is taking the task of reorganisation to address the main problem of under funding, that it has faced over the last few years. There will be more additions to the board as new skills and expertise are required in Bethany’s ongoing transformation.
I wish Ms Nacua and the Board of Trustees every success in their future endeavours.
BETHANY APPEALS FOR NEW DONORS
Since the passing of its founder Ms Louise Lynip in July 2006 its no secret that Bethany has struggled financially. In order to support the current 28 children in residence at the Home along with the necessary support staff and management Bethany needs a steady income from its donors on a regularly basis.
Additionally Bethany runs an Elementary School Grades 1 to 6 as well as a High School Years 1 to 4 which supports the educational requirements of the Home as well as the Town and Barrios of Talakag. The Bethany Christian School was founded originally to educate the Home’s children when the number of children being cared for at the Home exceeded one hundred. Since those days of course the number of children from the Home attending the School has dwindled to currently around 10 but the need for the School with a pupil population of in excess of 320 justifies its continuation, particularly with education been seen as the number one way to ease the acute poverty in the provinces. Not only does education ease poverty it greatly helps in establishing a sound platform for nationalism and patriotism and schooling goes a long way to prevent children being fragmentised.
Bethany is trying to establish a sustainable income programme with the planting of a rubber plantation which is being initially funded by private donation primarily from donors in the United Kingdom. When complete the rubber plantation will comprise of approximately 25 acres and should yield between 60,000/ 90,000 pesos per month depending on latex production and market price. This is equivalent to £830.00- £1,244.00 or $1,250.00-$1,875.00. Along with other such sustainable projects like the current handicraft training initiative for the older Bethany children whereby products can be made and customised to suit occasions like weddings, birthdays and anniversaries etc this project is ongoing and funded by Mr Terry & Mrs Lynn Habeck and the training is being carried out at Bethany by Mr Jojo Rivera.
The Farm that Bethany once had to grow cash crops for additional income has largely been neglected over the last few years due to lack of capital as well as knowledgeable management. This is about to change with a new member of the Board of Trustees being an agriculturalist and plans are being drawn up to revive the poultry houses as well as the piggery along with establishing cottage gardening in order to help supplement the feeding requirements of the Home.
The afore mentioned cannot be established to the point of sustainability unless donors donate on a regular basis. I appeal to all those past, present and future donors to dig deep and make a commitment to a worthy cause that will make you proud to be part of irrespective of your nationality or domain. Bethany was established through devotion to ensure that the needy children of Bukidnon and beyond were cared for in a Godly manner, please help us to continue the good work for as long as there is children in need.
Additionally Bethany runs an Elementary School Grades 1 to 6 as well as a High School Years 1 to 4 which supports the educational requirements of the Home as well as the Town and Barrios of Talakag. The Bethany Christian School was founded originally to educate the Home’s children when the number of children being cared for at the Home exceeded one hundred. Since those days of course the number of children from the Home attending the School has dwindled to currently around 10 but the need for the School with a pupil population of in excess of 320 justifies its continuation, particularly with education been seen as the number one way to ease the acute poverty in the provinces. Not only does education ease poverty it greatly helps in establishing a sound platform for nationalism and patriotism and schooling goes a long way to prevent children being fragmentised.
Bethany is trying to establish a sustainable income programme with the planting of a rubber plantation which is being initially funded by private donation primarily from donors in the United Kingdom. When complete the rubber plantation will comprise of approximately 25 acres and should yield between 60,000/ 90,000 pesos per month depending on latex production and market price. This is equivalent to £830.00- £1,244.00 or $1,250.00-$1,875.00. Along with other such sustainable projects like the current handicraft training initiative for the older Bethany children whereby products can be made and customised to suit occasions like weddings, birthdays and anniversaries etc this project is ongoing and funded by Mr Terry & Mrs Lynn Habeck and the training is being carried out at Bethany by Mr Jojo Rivera.
The Farm that Bethany once had to grow cash crops for additional income has largely been neglected over the last few years due to lack of capital as well as knowledgeable management. This is about to change with a new member of the Board of Trustees being an agriculturalist and plans are being drawn up to revive the poultry houses as well as the piggery along with establishing cottage gardening in order to help supplement the feeding requirements of the Home.
The afore mentioned cannot be established to the point of sustainability unless donors donate on a regular basis. I appeal to all those past, present and future donors to dig deep and make a commitment to a worthy cause that will make you proud to be part of irrespective of your nationality or domain. Bethany was established through devotion to ensure that the needy children of Bukidnon and beyond were cared for in a Godly manner, please help us to continue the good work for as long as there is children in need.
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