SUSTAINABLE RUBBER PLANTATION PROJECT

Today I went to Bethany to inspect the Rubber Plantation which is now nearing three years since it was first started. The trees are now visible from the farm building and looking very good indeed. A Rubber Plantation is like a mini forest when mature and the latex is being tapped.


Parts for the grass cutter will soon be available and the grass growing between the rows of rubber trees will be cut short in order to reduce the possibility of fire during the dry season. When I look at the Rubber Plantation I’m so proud of all the financial donations given by my friends and colleagues in the UK to get this project literally off the ground and into the air.

Thank you one and all for you kindness for getting the project this far.




RUBBER TREES IN THE PLANTATION

 


RUBBER PLANTATION TAKING SHAPE



RUBBER TREES ON CLOSE UP

Provincial Governor of Bukidnon, the Honourable Alex Calingasan, Visits Bethany

Bethany was honoured today with the presence of the Governor Alex Calingasan at the school graduation of Preparatory, Grade 6 and 4th Year High School Class of 2011.

The graduates along with their parents and staff  were thrilled to be in the presence of the Governor who addressed the assembly and took time out of his busy schedule to speak individually with the students and parents and posed for photographs with them which, I’m sure, will be something they will treasure for the future.

The Chairperson of the Bethany Board of Trustees, Atty Chemene Nacua, also congratulated the graduates and reminded all parents of both present and future students that it is not an easy task to send their children to school in these difficult financial times, but to do otherwise could mean a bleak future for them.

Once again big congratulations to all graduates as they have made their parents and staff of Bethany very proud of them.



The Bethany Graduates
Preparatory, Grade 6 and High School Class of 2011

The Governor poses with some more graduates.

Lucky graduates pose with the Governor.

Marilou Cunningham with the Governor

BOOK DONATION TO BETHANY SCHOOL LIBRARY.

Good friends of ours and fellow British expats Mr & Mrs Trevor Ford who reside in Cagayan de Oro city have donated a large quantity of quality reference books to Bethany School Library. The books cover the subjects of History. Geography and Science and the school Principal Mrs Heidi Cansancio was overwhelmed when she received the donation, she said “ this will make a tremendous addition to our library and truly enlighten our pupils to the outside world”.


It’s therefore a big THANK YOU to Mr & Mrs Ford for such a valuable gift to Bethany.

Bethany is always grateful for any type of donation that you our friends and readers may wish to give.



Marilou handing over some of the books to Mrs Cansancio on behalf of Mr & Mrs Ford.



Mrs Cansancio with the balance of the books.



STEVEN BLACK AND BETHANY

In the summer of this year Steven Black who is a professional photographer in Scotland and the son of a dear friend of mine Don Black held an exhibition of the photographs in Scotland's capital Edinburgh that he took on a visit to Cebu in late 2009. Steven generously promised to donate part of the voluntary donations collected from those who viewed his exhibition to Bethany. Last month his father Don returned to Cagayan de Oro and handed over the magnificent sum of PHP 14,000.00 from Steven to be put towards the expansion of the Rubber Plantation Project.


A big thank you to Steven for a wonderful gesture and its hoped that your photographic career brings you back to the Philippines one day to see the Rubber Plantation Project through your camera lens. http://www.stevenblackphotography.co.uk/

FESTIVE GREETINGS TO ONE AND ALL

Well it’s getting near that time of the year when Christmas is almost upon us and the New Year beckons. Just where has the year gone to?


I don’t know if it’s an age thing but time is flying especially now I’m retired from full time working. To be honest I’ve never been busier than I have been since coming to reside in the Philippines and I thought retirement was just a long vacation.

Never mind I have enjoyed ever minute of helping Bethany as well as helping out my wife Marilou in the other charity work that she is involved in.

So it leaves me to say I hope all my readers have a very merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year for 2011. I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped the children of Bethany financially and those that gave their moral and spiritual support as without your help Bethany could not exist.

God Bless you all.

Thanksgiving Celebration at Bethany

Today Bethany Christian School celebrated Thanksgiving with a musical presentation of Joseph the Dreamer. It was a joy to watch the presentation of the students performed with so much “gusto”. It was good to see a biblical story portrayed with a modern twist. Blending the dialogue with rap music was artistically created that it appealed to both the young and mature audience. I was very impressed indeed and can honestly confirm that “Bethany Has Got Talent”.

Well done to all the cast and the staff who worked hard to entertain us. Thank you.

  

 

MARY JOY GOES TO COLLEGE.

                                                        Mary Joy in her college uniform.

As a result of the kindness of Mr Michael & Mrs Mary Beth Soignet from Charlotte, North Carolina USA, Mary Joy Radam one of our Bethany children or should I say young ladies has now enrolled at Bukidnon State College Talakag Campus. Incidentally Mr & Mrs Soignet have already a son adopted from Bethany called Darvy.

Mary Joy has elected to take a course leading to obtaining a BSc in Elementary Education. Mary Joy’s ambition is to teach at Elementary School on completion of her studies. The degree course is of 5 years duration and runs Monday to Friday from 4pm to 9pm and Saturday from 8am till 12 Noon and 1pm till 4pm. Due to the course being part time in structure it’s very demanding as Mary Joy also works as a carer at Bethany. I spoke with Mary Joy today Friday 19th November and asked her how she was finding going back to school so to speak. She told me although the college schedule is demanding she is enjoying the challenge and is determined to do well and not let her sponsors down.

I will keep you all updated on Mary Joy’s progress as she travels along the road of academic enlightenment.

Once again a big personal thank you to the Soignet’s for your kindness from myself and Marilou on behalf of Bethany.