Long Term Initiatives to Typhoon Haiyan Victims

             A mom’s pride when her child gets the highest honors in school pays off all her sacrifices and supersedes all the past grief and sorrows that life’s circumstances bring. Joy was clearly plastered on Cheryl’s face when her 5-year-old daughter, LA, received a gold medal as the Top 1 of her class during the Moving Up Ceremonies at St. Michael’s Day Care Center last March.

            Cheryl, a housewife and mother of three children could not believe such luck as she shared that LA got low scores in the second term. “Kay kana maupay kay diri ako na e -expect na hiya mag ta top one kay an hadi wa gud gutiay lang man ito iya iskor, may ada kadto to second term test nira. Sabi ko diri kana makaka top one LA . Siring hiya sigi lang gud ito mama ok lang ito. Sad pagkuan na ni maam amo ito sumiring na top one hiya . Nalipay gihap ako. (I feel good. I did not expect that she will be the Top 1 because she got low scores in her tests during the second term. I told her that she might not be the first in her class but she just answered me that it was okay. I was just so happy when her teacher told me that LA made it. I am really very happy. ”

            Cheryl revealed that she was hands-on in LA’s studies. She instills in her the value of education that it will give her the edge when she looks for a job in the future. LA has taken this by heart that she believes student success will eventually enable her to get a high-paying job and acquire her dream house and car someday.

            The joy that Cheryl felt on that day was the total opposite from what she felt in November 2013 when Haiyan hit their village, destroying their house to pieces. She was devastated and did not know exactly how to start anew. However, the kindheartedness of other people who helped them stand on their feet again gave her hope that everything will be fine. At least, “we are all alive”, she thought.

            The establishment of the day care center in Barangay Poblacion was a big help for her family.  “Ada na risyo na mga kabataan mahuasay ila eskwelahan. Maupay ito baga na in ganyo ito sa pagsinulod. Diri man lang eskwelahan inyo gin hatag may ada pa mo ginhatag han educational toys mga school supplies  ngan may ada gihap mo activities na ginbubuhat para hit mga kabataan. Na dako ito na bulig hit formation inton hit bata. Damo nga salamat. (The children are happy because they have a nice learning facility. They are really motivated to go to school. Aside from the school, you also have given other things like educational toys, school supplies and you conduct informative activities for the children. Thank you very much.),” Cheryl said.

            The fact that the family does not have a stable source of income makes her more grateful for LA’s free education. She prays for a stable job for her husband and wishes to have a house of their own as they have been living with her in-laws after the tragedy in 2013. As for LA, she is excited to be in first grade when school opens this June.

             Around 200 more kids finished the preschool learning program in the six day care centers that you helped build through Global Giving and the Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. Thank you for your generosity.