Kingdom Message Ministry Foundation

Dear Sponsors & Supporters of KMM School,

As the new school year has started, we are pleased to report how delighted we are with the changes that have been introduced. Our plan of slightly reducing the number of students per class in order to be able to provide full day classes has been bringing forth its fruit. Not only does it give the teachers the ability to dedicate more time to the core subjects, but also to increase number of physical education classes from once a month to two times a week. We are also very pleased with the extra space that our new rooms have created for some of the larger classes.

When the team from the U.S.A. visited the school in June, they were able to introduce new physical education activities, for example, jump ropes and the game of Jacks. The children enjoyed it so much that they made use of every break to jump and play outside in the designated areas.

The school has already begun the government prescribed monthly programs. Last month it was the nutrition program with the theme of “Eat properly and be active … let’s push it!” Grades 2 and 8 became the winners of the student competition creating posters and slogans in lower and higher grades respectively.

Our sponsorship progress this year is as follows:

Thank you very much for your continuous support. We know that without you, the running of the school would be impossible. Thank you for being a part of this life-giving endeavor.

Dear Sponsors and Supporters of the KMM School,

It is always a joy to visit the KMM School and observe its progress, which we did during our trip in February. The current school year ends in mid-March. Both parents and children alike were very appreciative of the impact the school has had in their lives and the community.

Our current staff is dedicated to their respective positions and we were pleased to see them perform these responsibilities well. The staff is devoted towards instruction in classes and additionally, as encouragement with regards to the individual pupil’s growth. Through the years we have witnessed the maturing of the children. It is gratifying to see your investment in them bringing a great return.

We want to share with you some of the changes that will be implemented in the coming new school term. The past school term we encountered many cost overruns mainly due to much overtime paid to the teachers. This was due to split classes at the School as most of the grades were running one group of children in the morning session and another group in the afternoon, five hours each. In order for us to insure the financial solvency of the KMM School, we will be returning to all day classes and stay at the current level of Kindergarten through 8th grade without adding the 9th grade.

During our visit, the teachers at KMMS and the Department of Education confirmed these changes. The teachers voiced unanimity in all day classes in order to facilitate a better educational environment for the students. We visited the Department of Education and they were in total agreement. They said, “Quality is always better than quantity.”

Going forward into the next school term, which starts June 2019, the following changes will take place:

1. The number of students per class size will be slightly reduced. This allows for the size of the class to be in proportion to the dimension of the existing classrooms.
2. We are also introducing two new larger classrooms in the current buildings to accommodate more children in the largest classes. This will facilitate the elimination of split classes in a couple of grades.
3. In doing the above, it allows the following to be established:
   • Library
   • Faculty Room

Based on our experience from the past years we believe that through attrition of students lost by school transfers, excessive unauthorized absenteeism and moving to other areas, our somewhat smaller student enrollment will be attained. Children desiring to return will be able to do so.

Because of the all-day classes that are being planned, our students will have the benefit of Physical Education twice a week, which proved to be very difficult to accomplish so far due to the class time constraints.

With the aforementioned changes it is our belief they will serve to improve the quality of education at the KMM School.

Thank you for your continued support. Rest assured that your sacrifice on behalf of the KMM School children is not in vain but is bringing forth its fruit.

Dear Sponsors & Supporters of Kingdom Message Ministry School:

As we begin the New Year of 2019, we take time to reflect on God’s goodness towards our beneficiaries during 2018.

The KMM School is now in its 9th year of operations. This has been made possible through the support of the many sponsors in the Czech Republic, USA and Africa as well as additional personal donations and various fundraising events (youth concerts, garage sales, yard sales, and others). These all have contributed to the statement that “many hands make the burden lighter.”

Over the years we have learned how much influence the KMMS is making in the Butuan area in the Philippines. We know it directly impacts the students and the staff. But have you ever considered how many other people are indirectly impacted? The average family in the Philippines has 5 members, which would include parents and siblings. Based on that rate when you multiply the students and staff, KMMS is having a direct impact on the lives of close to 1,000 people!

Take it a step further. These 1,000 people are receiving Christian influence from the students and staff of KMMS. This is making a powerful impact in the lives of

these children,

their families, and

their communities.

In fact, many children and their parents have come to salvation in Jesus Christ just through the existence of the KMM School.

This scripture in Mark 10 comes to mind:

Mark 10:13, And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

May God bless you as well for your sacrificial giving and care, for your endeavoring to be part of this work in the Philippines. May we continue to labor and build His Kingdom in the lives of these children.

The school year of 2018-2019 is progressing very well with 220 pupils in 9 grades. Some of the grades run morning and afternoon sessions with two different groups of children, others hold all day classes. Our teachers are not only busy with regular lessons, but also special programs and celebrations prescribed by the Department of Education, for example Language Month and Nutrition Month Celebrations.

Language Month Celebration

Nutrition Month Celebration

We are very grateful for this year’s group of teachers. Their dedication and enthusiasm for their jobs and especially for making a difference in the lives of KMMS children is a pleasure to watch. In addition to teaching regular school subjects, they are also very dedicated to teaching the Word of God to the little hearts.

We would like to introduce to you our new teachers who joined us this school year.

Sheryl M. Sabales (Kindergarten)

Sheryl is 23 years old, is married and has a 9 months old son. Her husband, Michael, works for his mother in a public market.

Sheryl comes from a family of 9; she has 3 brothers and 5 sisters. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Caraga State University and the current school year is her first year of teaching. She lives close to the school so she doesn’t have to spend much time traveling to and from work.

Sheryl very much enjoys singing and dancing. Teaching is her passion. She likes teaching everything, but science has a special place in her heart. Above all, her greatest desire is to impart the Word of God to the hearts of the children. Most of her classes are taught in English except, when needed, Filipino is used. She gives her all in everything she does.

Jay-Ann T. Mabaga (Grade 1)

Jay-Ann is a single 21 year old who lives with her parents in Doongan (within 1 hour distance from KMMS). She is the 2nd oldest of 6 children; she has 2 sisters and 3 brothers. She loves reading, she also loves children, and has compassion for the poor.

Jay-Ann completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Secondary Education in Agusan College Incorporated (ACI). As can be seen from her choice of a bachelor’s degree, she prefers to teach older children, but feels that it is God’s plan for her to work in Kingdom Message Ministry School at this time. She teaches in English, yet speaks in her mother tongue when it is needed for better understanding. Her favorite subjects are Biology and English. This is her first year of teaching.

Jay-Ann loves teaching. She believes learning is a big part of a child’s life and she wants to have a part in it.

Maria Victoria Ebuna (Grade 2)

Maria is a single 23 year old and lives in Magallanes with her parents and one sister. She has to travel quite a long distance to get to school. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Secondary Education in Northern Mindanao Colleges in Cabadbaran and came to KMMS with one year of experience in another private school.

Maria wanted to be a teacher since her 3rd grade when she got inspired by her teacher. Even though she prefers to teach high school level, she is very grateful for her job at KMMS as this position gives her the opportunity to follow her dream job and passion. She really enjoys teaching Science and Biology but also MAPEH (music, art, physical education, and health). She instructs her pupils mostly in English, but uses her mother tongue as needed; for example, one student in her class doesn’t speak any English.

Maria plays some guitar and likes to sing in a choir. We are very grateful to have her on board this year.

Christeline D. Alcuizar (Grade 6)

Chisteline is a single 24 year old. She lives with her grandmother very near the school. She is the 2nd oldest of a family of 7. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Elementary Education in Caraga State University and has one year of teaching experience. She loves to teach children, especially the little ones. She loves to teach English and Filipino, instructs mostly in English, but switches to her mother tongue for better understanding

Growing up Christeline herself was a sponsored child, like a majority of KMMS children. She received her scholarship from the Municipality of Butuan City. Christeline is very confident and really enjoys teaching. She has two dreams – she would love to travel around the world and learn how to drive.

New KMMS Teachers

The new school year 2018-2019 has started and we are glad to inform you that its first three weeks have been running very smoothly. Brother Mark and Sister Rita Jantzi returned from the Philippines a couple of days ago and are pleased to report that the KMMS children are doing well and are happy to see their classmates again.

We are very blessed this year with four new teachers whose profiles we will be able to share with you in the weeks to come. Three of our last-year teachers were offered well-paid positions in the public school system and so three new ones joined us to replace them. One more teacher was hired to accommodate an additional grade as this year we are operating Kindergarten through 8th grade. God is truly moving us on!

Most of the children who attended KMM School last year have also returned this year. Even sixth graders that officially graduated from elementary school can be seen on the KMM School’s premises in the 7th grade. It is a joy to see them desire to continue their education. Some of our last-year’s students changed their residence and therefore their school and a few transferred to public or vocational schools. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors trusting the Lord that He will continue to keep them and guide them. We have also welcomed a number of new pupils from the underprivileged community and are looking forward to seeing them succeed.

Our sponsorship progress this year is as follows:

We appreciate all your continuous support. Without you, the running of the KMM School would be impossible. Thank you for being a part of this on-going, life giving work in the Philippines.

Dear Sponsors and Friends of Kingdom Message Ministry School,

It is with great joy to write this letter concerning the KMM School in the Philippines and the progress that is being made.

At present we have 205 children at the school and their 2017-2018 school term has just ended. Their summer months are in April and May. The new school term of 2018-2019 begins the second week of June.

It has been a very successful year with our second graduation of sixth graders. (In the Philippines, K-6 is elementary, 7-9 is middle school and 10-12 is high school.)

As we have labored in twice-yearly visits at the KMM School, we marvel at its growth and upward progress. The school continues to expand each year beginning with an 8th grade this coming school term. We have also negotiated a new 3-year lease with the landlord. With this new lease we have also acquired the use of another floor in our second building. It was with our previous lease that we began occupying the first floor of the second building. This additional floor will help with extra space to accommodate our growth up to the tenth grade level.

We will begin in April with summer school for those who are in need of reinforcement in reading as well as our summer repairs and reconstruction.

Each year as we add on a grade, it also requires the hiring of an additional teacher. We are very blessed with our current group of teachers and staff at the KMM School. They are very committed and diligent in their vocation to teaching the children. All but one of them will be returning for the new school year.

The greatest blessing is seeing the growth of our children at the school. This will be our 9th year of operation so many that started in Kindergarten will now be in the 8th grade. Many of the children and their parents have expressed great appreciation for the KMM School and the sponsors who enable their children to partake in a private school that, without our help, it would be impossible for them to have a quality Christian education.

Please be assured, beloved sponsors (for that is what they call us in the Philippines), that your contributions and sponsorship of the children is making this all possible.

Thank you and God bless you.

Brother George Herrig
On behalf of the KMMS Stakeholders

As each previous year, the Parents’ Association organized the Teacher’s Day to be celebrated in Kingdom Message Ministry School. It was just a small “Thank You” from the children and their parents to the teachers for all their hard work throughout the school year. This year’s Teacher’s Day was a great success. Everybody enjoyed their time together and the teachers were very blessed by the gifts they received.

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Towards the end of 2017 Kingdom Message Ministry School had a few very special visitors. The local police asked permission to conduct a session with Grade 7 students related to drug usage. Their presentation was very well received. They were also able to join us for our weekly feeding and enjoy the company of our children.

The children of Kingdom Message Ministry School have chosen a day, in which they gave thanks to God for all His goodness towards them during the year of 2017. They would also like to express their gratitude to you, their sponsors and donors, for all you have done for them during this year. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!

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Another Department of Education requirement placed upon the Philippine schools was to instruct the students in how to properly wash their hands. Playing with water – what fun we had!