Kingdom Message Ministry Foundation

It is hard to believe that the school year 2016-2017 has already come to an end. It is even harder to believe that we have completed the 7th year of operating Kingdom Message Ministry School. Even though these numbers may not mean much to most people, they are very significant to us. Concluding the 7th year brings with it our first graduates! How is this possible? In order to understand this, we need to share with you more about the Philippine education system.

Prior to 2011, the number of years of formal schooling in the Philippines used to be one of the shortest in the world (only Angola and Djibouti shared the 10-year basic-education structure). The educational ladder had a 6+4 structure, (i.e., six years of elementary education and four years of secondary education). However, major educational reforms have been implemented to lengthen formal schooling to 12 years on a 6+4+2 structure. A year of kindergarten has also been added, with children beginning their formal education at the age of 5 (versus 7 previously) starting with the academic year 2011-2012. [Note: Philippine private schools, including KMMS, have operated a seven-year curriculum starting a year earlier than public schools.] The extra two years in the 12-year basic education program have been added at the senior high school level, which is an entirely new tier of the education system designed to better prepare students for higher studies or the job market.[1]

With KMM School completing the 7th year of its operation, our first Kindergarteners turned into our first elementary education Graduates. We are very blessed to see these children succeed and are looking forward to awarding the Certificate of Graduation to their younger friends in the years to come.

[1] http://wenr.wes.org/2015/06/education-philippines

By Sister Nancy Asbill

Once again we would like to share a report from KMMS in the Philippines. Since the school began, there has been a desire to see children learn and excel. The vision was to bring children from very poor families and give them an opportunity to learn and be in school, but also to share with them the love of Jesus.

Through the years of diligence and perseverance of those working at and with the school, one can see this vision is a reality. Today we will take you to the school and introduce you to several of the very special children of KMMS. I saw a quote once, “If your life inspires just one child, your life has been a success.” Dwight L. Moody was quoted as saying, “If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God.”

Let us meet some of these special treasures at KMMS.

Here is Shanaine Kate C. Suson. She has such a sweet smile as she comes to sit down and talk with me. She speaks English quite well and explains to me that her father taught her English. At the school they also teach the children how to speak English, so with her father’s help, along with the school, she has excelled.

Shanaine tells me she is ten years old and in 5th grade. She has been at the school since 2nd grade and especially likes science and math and enjoys reading very much. Since Shanaine enjoys learning at KMMS, it is no surprise that she has the distinction of being first in her class.

Shanaine lives with her parents and grandparents. The grandparents have shared their home with Shanaine, her parents, and her sister and brother. Her father works as a mechanic. Another favorite thing Shanaine likes to do is cook with her mother and grandmother; she also likes helping to buy the vegetables and fruits at the market. Shanaine likes making cakes and someday she would like to be a chef in a restaurant. One day she hopes to study at a culinary school to learn how to be a chef. With her eagerness and willingness to work hard, one day we might just be able to eat some of her culinary delights at a local restaurant. It is time for Shanaine to return to class and here comes Gezer Luba.

Gezer Luba is a shy little 4th grader that is nine years old and he has been at KMMS since he was in nursery school (pre-school, as some call it). As Gezer begins to talk to me, you can tell he is determined to do well in school and in 3rd grade he was first in his class. He tells me he likes to listen to his teacher and likes learning English. He especially likes reading and writing. Some of his favorite books to read are jungle books. He does admit science and education of home economics are not his favorite subjects to learn, but he assured me he works hard to do them anyway.

Gezer lives with his single mother and grandparents. His face lit up as he told me about helping his grandpa. Gezer will help his grandpa do carpentry projects and take care of their many chickens, including gathering eggs. Gezer says one of the foods he likes the most to eat is eggs.

Another thing Gezer likes to do is draw – he spends his free time drawing houses, hoping one day to be an engineer or architect.

Gezer’s total school education has been at KMMS and you can see he is truly an example of the quality of the education he is receiving.

Let us now meet Beyonce Ehrich T. Trasmonte. For such a young lady she sure has a big name. Beyonce might not be real tall but she has a big heart and enjoys school. She is ten and in 6th grade. Beyonce has been with KMMS six years as she started school here in 1st grade. Beyonce especially likes reading and speaking English and one of her favorite things to do is read, particularly true stories. She also likes math, especially subtraction, art, science and learning the computer. One of her aspirations is to be a teacher. Beyonce thinks teaching ten year old children would be good.

Beyonce has a brother and two sisters. They live with her parents and grandparents.

I asked her what foods she likes the most and she said fruits and vegetables. Her favorite color is red.

Her mother works as a clerk in a store and right now her father helps at home and also does a lot of the cooking. With Beyonce’s desire to be a 6th grade teacher, God knows maybe one day she will be on the KMMS staff.

Last, but not least, let us talk with Christian Luc M. Lanon, a 5th grader at KMMS. Christian is ten years old and has been at the school since 3rd grade.

Christian has attended different schools; he learned English at the Baptist school and after that went to a public school where he experienced a lot of bullying. Christian lives with his aunt and when she heard about KMMS, she wanted to enroll him here.

Christian likes being at the school and enjoys English, science and GMRC.

He wants to do well in school so one day he can have a job so he can help poor people.

At home Christian likes to help clean and wash dishes. His aunt runs a small shop her grandma gave her.

Christian said yes, he likes fruits and vegetables, but fried chicken is his favorite. Another fun thing for this young man is boxing with his older brother. I asked him if his older brother ever gives him a right jab, Christian said he is learning to “bob and weave” (meaning move around as not to get hit).

Christian is happy to be at KMMS. May he continue to grow in knowledge and know the love of God for himself to be able to help the poor and needy when he grows up.

Beginning in September, our Guidance Counselor, Brother Allan, and the School Founder, Sister Merlinda, started to conduct special lessons for Grades 3 to 6 during Values Education, Good Manners and Right Conduct classes. They have chosen to use a Bible for their textbook in order to impart to the children the good habits that come through obedience to the Word of God. Our Principal, Sister Marissa, made the following statement, “As what I have observed, these studies bring lots of changes to the children’s everyday living. Some of our students already know how to find their way in the Bible and how important it is to have the Bible in their lives. I was very happy and surprised one day when I entered the Guidance Counselor’s office to see some of our students sitting on the floor and reading the Bible. I hope and pray that by God’s grace they will continue in what they have started.”

The recent months brought a number of changes to the way we conduct our parent-teacher conferences. We have concluded that these meetings will be held on a monthly basis in order for the parents/guardians to be regularly updated on their child’s class performance and their behavior in the classroom as well as other school premises.

We have agreed upon the following cooperation between the teachers and parents: “The teacher’s work should supplement that of the parents, but it is not to take its place. In all that concerns the well-being of the child, it should be the effort of parents and teachers to cooperate.”

Many greetings from the Philippines!

Many things have happened in the Kingdom Message Ministry School since you have last heard from us. We continue to thank the Lord for you all, your care and concern for the underprivileged children of the Philippines and your never-ceasing prayers. We very much appreciate your support and are very grateful for it.

In compliance with the Department of Education order KMM School, together with all other educational institutions, celebrated the annual National Science Month, an event that is held in September each year. The theme for this school year was called, “AGRINNOVATE – Revolutionizing Agricultural Outlook for Sustainable Growth.” It aimed at introducing students to agriculture, rekindle the youth’s interest in this field and raise awareness of the current agricultural situation. One of the highlights of the program was the “Science Quiz Bee”, a competition which was divided into two age categories and all grade levels took part in it. This science celebration also included various uplifting presentations.

Kingdom Message Ministry School celebrated once again the National Language Month (Buwan Ng Wika or Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa).

In line with this event, Department of Education in the Philippines released a memorandum in order to provide guidelines, objectives and themes. One of the objectives was to encourage all government agencies as well as private sector to be part of the endeavors that upraise the Filipino language.

Kingdom Message Ministry School participated in this program according to the guidelines given. During the celebration, the following activities were performed by all participants in Filipino language:

• Balagtasan (Poetry competition)
• Isahang Awit (Song Solo)
• Tula (Poem)
• Katutubong Sayaw (Folk Dance)

It was a beautiful presentation of our children’s talents.

Afterwards, the children received their awards for first, second and third places donated by the parents.

We would like to thank you all for your continued support and kindness to Kingdom Message Ministry School.

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Even though our summer reconstruction projects have long been completed, we continue to improve the school premises when necessary. As the front school fence needed some touch, it was agreed that the school would provide the materials while the parents of our students would supply the labor. And here is the result.

Thank you for your part in this endeavor!

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Kingdom Message Ministry School celebrated its 6th Nutrition Month on July 29, 2016. As it is a required program by the Department of Education for every recognized school, all Elementary and High Schools all over the country participated in the celebration. This year’s theme was presented under the title “First 1000 days ni baby pahalagahan para sa malusog na kinabukasan” (Nurture your baby’s first 1000 days for a healthy future). The theme was chosen to highlight an important and timely concern on nutrition of life, starting from the first day of conception until the child’s 2nd birthday, for interventions that aim to achieve maximum potential of a child’s growth and development.

KMMS had the following presentations:

1. Nutritional table/food presentation with three groups of food – Go, Grow, and Glow.
2. Poster making contest by grades 4, 5, and 6.
3. All grade levels participated in stage presentation that followed the theme.

As you can see from the pictures, each fruit represented the fruit of the Spirit.

This year’s prizes were donated by the President of the Parent’s Association. We want to thank you all who made this celebration possible. May the Lord reward you for all you do for the children in the Philippines.

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Some of you may remember from our previous newsletter that the Parent’s Association volunteers were planning to cement the rough dirt and rock floor that is in front of the stage area. Well, the finished floor is here! It has certainly been quite an undertaking. We would like to thank the parents of our children for contributing to the school their gift of appreciation.