Kingdom Message Ministry Foundation

2021 is well underway and we are here to report once again on the development of the students and staff of the Kingdom Message Ministry School. We are grateful to share that everyone is doing well and continuing in teaching and learning efforts amid the current pandemic.

As we have resolved ourselves to the fact that the school doors will not open to the students this school year, our teachers began pro-actively teaching in addition to their paper-phone activities. They started visiting their students at home and giving them private lessons. They hop on the back of the guidance counsellor’s motorcycle and off they go. We trust these lessons will give students better chances to succeed, especially in reading. This endeavor also gives the teachers opportunity to do one-on-one Bible studies with the children in order to address their spiritual needs. Thank you, teachers, for your willingness to go above and beyond your required duty!

The end of last year found KMMS flooded due to the tropical depression Vicky that hit the Caraga Region on the Mindanao Island. As you can see from the pictures, this major storm brought some damage to the school’s property; however, because of the labors of our dedicated employees, we were able to recover most of the items. Therefore, the expenses for the overall repairs were kept to a minimum.

Thanks to your generosity we continue to support the families with rice on a monthly basis. We are praying the Lord will multiply the little we can provide. We know there is nothing God would not do for those who love Him and seek His face.

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Thank you for being part of this worthy endeavor. We are confident your reward will be bountiful. May the Lord bless you and keep you by His mighty hand.

Dear Brethren and Friends of Kingdom Message Ministry School,

As we are approaching the end of a very challenging year, we are pleased to let you know that all the KMMS staff, children, and their families are doing well. Though we have not been able to hold classes in person, we continue to cooperate with the parents in providing education to their children. We are blessed to know that our students can keep up with their studies and satisfy their grade level requirements.

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Since we have had to put a pause on our regular feeding program, we have determined to provide rice, a basic staple in the Philippines, to all of our KMMS families, including the teachers, on a monthly basis. They are very touched by your generosity as you can see in their happy faces below.

Recently, we have asked our teachers to share with you their experiences from this new way of instructing their students and are delighted to present you with their letters below (click on the teacher’s name to read their letter):

Thank you once again for showing your kindness to the KMMS children and their families.

The new school year has finally started. After seven months of continuous postponement, the children are back to school; not face-to-face as would be our preference, but we are grateful they can resume their studies and continue to be educated for their future success.

Parents have been coming to the school premises in smaller groups to receive their children’s first books and worksheets. This arrangement will continue, due to COVID-19 restrictions, for as long as the Philippine government will deem necessary. Instead of chalk supplies, we purchased additional minutes for the teachers’ phones so that they can stay in touch with the children. We have all confidence that our capable faculty and staff will be able to make the best use of these unusual circumstances.

There have been some changes made to the KMMS general operation this school year. Before we are able to share these changes with you, we have to present you with some background information:

The education in the Philippines is grouped into three levels: elementary school (kindergarten–grade 6), junior high school (grades 7–10), and senior high school (grades 11–12). In order for a private school to operate junior and senior high schools, Philippine law requires the ownership of its own premises. Following is an excerpt from the official documents:

“In meritorious cases, a school may be allowed to lease its premises; however, a grace period may be allowed by the Department such that the private school concerned shall have: (1) acquired its own school site within five (5) years from the date of filing of the application for permit to operate; and (2) constructed school buildings/facilities on said school site within ten (10) years from the said filing of the application for permit to operate.”

For a number of years, we have prayed and considered acquiring our own premises, however, it doesn’t seem that the Lord is allowing us to go in that direction. Therefore, our “grace period” has come to an end and the government would not let us operate the 8th grade anymore this year. Also, we were informed that in 2021, we are only allowed to open the elementary school, i.e. kindergarten through grade 6.

In addition to these, public schools offer a special scholarship to high school children, who join them starting from grade 7. If the students enroll in grade 8, they are not eligible for this scholarship. It is no wonder that a number of our grade 6 students have decided to benefit from this opportunity and enroll in the public school for 2020-2021 season. We have, nevertheless, determined to open grade 7 this year for those children, who still desire to continue their education in KMMS; the last group of seven-graders.

In spite of all the changes, we are looking at educating some 120 pupils this school year. Their number will be finalized at the end of October as the Department of Education still allows enrollment to continue until then.

No words can express our joy of seeing both little and more mature lives changed for the better by the existence of KMMS. This year marks the 11th year of its operation. The number of children, who have passed through the doors of this institution and received its blessings and benefits, reaches several hundred. A number of them and their family members have dedicated their lives to the Lord and only the future will show how much they will prosper because of the generosity of you, the sponsors. Thank you for continuing this journey with us.

As the summer slowly reaches its end, we continue to pray that the Filipino children would be allowed back in school. Originally, the officials confirmed the children will not attend school until a vaccine to protect against Covid-19 would become available. Later, the beginning of the school year was set at August 24. However, as of now, this hope has been deferred to October 5. KMMS has scheduled parent’s orientation meeting for September 25 (to be held in small groups) to take the families through the complicated process of the upcoming school year. While some countries are considering not opening schools at all and calling 2020 a “dead” year, we trust Philippines will keep their start date in October. Please pray with us that the children are able to continue their education.

KMMS is planning a virtual Recognition and Graduation for September. As the 6th grade students (the elementary school graduates) missed their opportunity for their special day in March and the 8th grade students didn’t get a chance to say good-bye to each other, KMMS staff has been working with the parents on this special virtual event. We will send details to you as soon as they become available.

Even though the beginning of the school year has been postponed, it didn’t stop our diligent staff from upgrading the school premises. We are very pleased with all the work that has been done on the school buildings and trust you will enjoy seeing a few pictures of “before and after”.

Thank you very much for your sacrificial giving. None of these building upgrades would be possible without your sponsorship and donations. Also, our teachers would like to extend their “THANK-YOUS” to you for allowing them to be employed during these troublesome times. May the Lord bless you for all you do.

School Entrance

School Entrance BEFORE

School Entrance AFTER

3rd Floor Terrace

Terrace AFTER

Terrace BEFORE

Terrace BEFORE

Stage Area

Stage Area BEFORE

Stage Area AFTER

Newly Painted Classrooms

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Newly Painted Administrative Offices

Principal’s Office

Administrative Office

Guidance Counsellor’s Office

As the countries around the world are slowly opening up, they all face the question of how to approach education under the “new-norm”. The Philippines are no exception. Much has been discussed and proposals made and the school year beginning postponed from June to August. In the midst the children can’t wait to join their classmates for another grade adventure.

The KMM Schools will reopen for face-to-face classes on August 19. New changes include a smaller number of students being allowed on the school premises at one time. They will be required to follow the protocols of social distancing, wearing masks, proper hand washing and applying of disinfectants to desks, chairs, doors and other contact surfaces. The students will rotate in classes, receive instructions and complete their studies at home.

In the meantime, before the school year starts, KMMS will conduct modified “homeschooling” lessons. Teachers will print worksheets for their students based on their Learning Continuity Plan; the parents will pick these up and have their children work through them. On Fridays the parents will return the worksheets and receive new ones. Evaluations and examinations will be conducted to ensure the students understand their lessons.

We do not know exactly what the days and months ahead will bring, but we are confident that God has every one of them in His hands and will give the teachers wisdom how to help our children make another step in their education.

We want to sincerely thank you for your continued support. Thanks to your sponsorships and contributions we were able to keep our teachers employed through these challenging times, make building upgrades during the summer months and will be able to purchase school supplies and uniforms even for the non-sponsored students once the school reopens. Many of our students will be returning this new school term along with new students as well. Please continue to pray for the KMM School, its students, and the staff, as they adjust to these new standards that are being implemented throughout the Philippines.

May the Lord bless you for your continued generosity.

Dear Sponsors and Donors,

This has been a most difficult time throughout the world and the KMM School has also been affected. All the schools in the Philippines closed two weeks before their school term ended and at the present time on Mindanao Island many of the residents are required to stay within their homes.

The KMMS is hopeful that the staff will be able to return to the school building in order to begin the repairs and reconstruction that are done annually while they are between yearly school terms.

We would like to present to you a list below of the repairs that are needed in the next few months plus some additional expenses for the beginning of the new school year:

TOTAL OF ALL ESTIMATED BUDGET: 212,836.00 ($4,257)

Please note that the staff will be cleaning and painting all desks, tables, and bookcases. This is in addition to preparing their rooms for the new school session.

If you’re able to, and would like to contribute to the Summer Reconstruction & Repair project, please send your checks to:

Adirondack Christian Ministries
190 Fox Street
Esperance, NY 12066

Thank you all for your continued support for the KMM School. Your support is greatly appreciated. Many children’s lives are being changed through your generous contributions.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us at news@kingdomfoundationph.org.

Dear Sponsors & Donors,

In these troubling times when the world is seemingly spinning out of control, we are blessed to know that our God gives abundant peace to those who call upon His name. We pray His peace upon each and every one of you.

Even though Kingdom Message Ministry School has been shut down due to the COVID-19 and the whole Butuan City is locked down from neighboring areas, we are receiving news of everyone doing well and staying healthy. Thanks to a number of our generous donors we were able to send a special support to the KMMS staff, which enabled them to purchase emergency necessities that had otherwise been outside of their regular budget. Their excitement was beyond measure. They were very touched not only by receiving so much needed financial support, but also by knowing that somewhere on the other side of the world, there are people who care for their well-being.

Before the various countries closed their borders, Brothers Mark Jantzi and George Herrig were able to visit the Philippines and spend ten days ministering to the KMMS children, their families, staff, and brethren in the Butuan City area. They came back very encouraged by what they had encountered and how well everybody is doing. [You can read their detailed reports here.] As a result of their trip we can show you the precious faces of those who have greatly benefited from your sacrifices. Enjoy the pictures and may the Lord bless you for all you do for these children and their families.

Kindergarten

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Mae Adonis Artista (G3)

Grade 4

Helen G. Esito (G4)

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Randy C. Calvo (G6)

Sending you smiles

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As the year 2019 is coming to an end, we are once again bringing you many greetings from the Philippines. Words cannot express our thankfulness to you all for your wonderful support during this year. Thanks to your prayers and generosity we have been able to teach 157 children who, under other circumstances, would never be able to prosper in such a way. Our prayer is that as we approach 2020 His blessings and presence would abide in you and in your homes.

As we look to the future of KMMS, we are “confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in Kingdom Message Ministry School will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Php 1:6).

Thank you for partnering with us as we bring the gospel of the Kingdom of God to the people of the Philippines.

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It is always enjoyable to start a new school year. For the faculty and staff of Kingdom Message Ministry School, June brings more than new students into their school premises. It also brings a few new teachers, who very shortly become new friends. Let us introduce to you our new teachers for 2019-2020.

Edgene Nacua, a lively 23 year old educator, teaches the 1st grade students. She is freshly married, but is planning on establishing her teaching career before having children. Even though she lives in Butuan City, her home is quite a distance from KMMS. Therefore, she chooses to stay in a boarding house closer to the school.

Edgene is the oldest child in her family with two younger sisters. She graduated from Caraga state University in 2016, where she received degree in Elementary Education. Her love for children has birthed a deep desire in her to become a teacher to help her pupils grow to mature adults. Her favorite subjects to teach are English and Filipino. She considers it extremely important to share Bible stories with her students and impart into them a desire for having a relationship with God and a viable prayer life.

She is learning to play guitar, loves to read, and watch TV. She also very much enjoys exploring and would like to travel to various places in the world.

Jellyn Lara is a 23 year old 2nd grade teacher. She lives with her family close to KMM School. She has two brothers and one sister; her father passed away several years ago. She graduated from Caraga State University in 2018 with Bachelor of Elementary Education. Her favorite is to teach math. She used to pass by the KMMS every day and dream of getting a job here. Once she was able to apply, she prayed much that she would be selected.

Jellyn considers praying with the children very important. She selects scripture verses for the children to memorize and explains these to them. She also shares many Bibles stories with them and encourages them to sing praises together.

In the past, Jellyn aimed at being an engineer. However, after she was given an opportunity to teach Sunday School at her church and be part of the children’s outreach ministry, she experienced a turning point in her desire for a future career. Teaching has become her passion.

Clarice Alquizar is a 22 year old first-year teacher and was hired to instruct 6th grade pupils in KMMS. She has three sisters and one brother. Because she lives far away from the school premises, she currently resides with her church friends closer to the school. She graduated from Suriago Del Sur State University in 2018 as Bachelor of Secondary Education and majored in biology and science. She heard about KMMS from a church friend and decided to apply for a job.

Clarice’s passion is to work with children in order to give them better opportunity to become good citizens and spiritual children. She puts a very significant emphasis on teaching the Bible and making sure her students understand what it says. Her hobbies and free time revolve around her relationship with the Lord and participating in church activities where she also sings in a choir. As most of the young Filipino, she would like to travel abroad one day.

Let us welcome our new teachers and wish them a very blessed school year!