HEARTSPEAKS

11 December 2011 Issue 1

We Want to See Jesus

For many of us fortunate enough, 3 meals a day is what we expect every day. But to the many living in slum areas in other parts of the world, 3 meals a week is more often the norm.

The more we encounter the lives of the struggling poor, the more we see the injustices prevalent in our world. We ponder if justice exists when children born into poverty lack the opportunity to birth certificates, vaccinations and proper meals. Its easy for one to blame the parents but were not the parents once children born into poverty? We look at the homes around us, little wooden huts with small openings and hardly any ventilation. The floor could be a muddy ground and there is little space and furniture to organize the clothes from the cutlery and the bedding. Children from as young as 6, feel the need to put their childhood aside and to help put food on the table.

As we enter into the season of Advent, we wait in anticipation for the coming of Christ. We want to see Jesus. The world wants to see Jesus. The children want to see Jesus. As we continue on our mission, let us work together to make Jesus present to those who want to see Him.

CONTENTS A NEW LIFE ONE HEART ONE SOUL THE FORMATION HOUSE IS OUR MISSION SO FAR 2 3 4 5 6

Come, Lord Jesus.

CONTINUING THE MISSION

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A New Life
On the 26
th

of March, Joannie (20) and housemother

Settling into their new life at the formation house for these kids was tough. Rehabilitation took time. Staying indoors instead of outdoors was something they had to get used to, organizing their things; washing their clothes and doing the dishes were at first challenging. However, they now appreciate the discipline and are motivated to excel in life. They are doing well in school and have adjusted to life in the Formation House.

Nanay Terry packed their belongings and moved out from the house we had bought on Block 10, Erap City into a slightly larger rented house on Block 1. Soon after, they were joined by Jerlyn (17), JR (13), Jimboy (11) and Julius (8) Dolloso. The siblings had been living in Payatas and it was Jimboy who had personally requested for us to take him and his siblings into our formation house. He did not need to persuade us further. We readily agreed. The Dolloso siblings had lost their mother a few years ago to TB. Their father, Gelenito, struggled to put food on the table working at the dumpsite, as a dump truck helper and at junkshops. The boys left to their own devices would play on the streets with other kids. We didnt have food every day. We would go to the dumpsite in the afternoons, shared JR. We go there to earn something so we can buy rice, adds Jimboy. Its very hot at the dumpsite. It smells bad and there are flies everywhere, JR recalls. Sometimes on my way to the dumpsite, I look at other kids going to school. I wanted to go to school like them too, he adds.

Nanay Terry, JR, Julius & Jerlyn, (clockwise)

Jimboy gardening

Books for rent

Our Motto Know God, Love God, Serve God

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One Heart One Soul

With Eugene Basquinas

Ms Eugene Basquinas, 26 years old, is a petite lady with a big heart. Her passion for the kids in Payatas and Erap shone through while she was teaching at Paaralang Pantao. I dont know when I came on board the mission, she shares. I was first invited to provide counselling sessions for one of the kids in the formation house sometime in November 2010 and since then Ive not looked back, she adds. The graduate in Psychology had worked as a youth counsellor in a childrens home previously. Acts29 was setting up the formation house then and was looking for someone with a sense of mission to supervise and help in the rehabilitation of the new residents. Eugene, a resident of Erap City, was familiar with the culture of the urban poor and was an ideal person who could work with the kids and teens. Acts29 also wanted more, for someone who could push the scholars a whole yard further in their studies. However Eugene was not accustomed to the high-speed working pace of the acts29 folks from Singapore. She also had difficulty conversing in English with the community. The community decided to host Eugene for 3 weeks in Singapore. With lots of doubt and uncertainty for her future, Eugene decided to take the plunge and came to Singapore for training. That was the point of no return. On her challenges and experience in Singapore, Eugene reveals, At first I was intimidated by these people who were still strangers to me and in a way I felt they were superior to me. I didnt speak much to them not because I didnt like them but because I didnt believe that I was good enough. I wasnt confident that they would like me just as I am. Speaking English in Singapore was an issue as it is not my main language. How could I personalise my thoughts and experiences if they did not understand me? I found it

challenging. But I realized that as long as I kept working at it, nothing is impossible! Encountering new people taught me to challenge myself, Eugene shared. Eugene honed her skills and learned to walk with kids. On her return to the Philippines, Eugene, recharged and with renewed confidence began her work almost immediately. Her first task was to conquer Microsoft applications and she has since been using them effectively. She supervises the kids and teens in their before and after school program and oversees to the schooling affairs of the 13 scholars under acts29. On top of all that, she runs regular Saturday tutorial classes for the scholars and their mothers too. Its already been a year and Im still here sharing my life with the kids, smiles Eugene. Though there have been setbacks at times and misunderstandings, Ive learnt to be firm and to have a positive outlook on life. My hope for this mission is that someday we can take in more kids off the streets and help them be a better person. I also want to inspire children to see education as the best key to have a successful life.

Eugene with Jimboy, Julius and JR

God has shown me how beautiful life is when we share what we have; even in the smallest of things. I have learned to give, care, believe, pray and love. And I want to share these with those most in need.

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The Formation House

Jerlyn
... is like a music note because without it. we will never know how to sing a song

Joannie

...is where I have learned to be strong and generous. And most especially, I got closer to God.

...is where every child can ...is where I learned Respect. helped behaviour. It me also to learn and it is important for me cos I have learned so much from it. ...is my a way life of has

change my life and

changing people changed.

Jimboy

J.R

Julius

A Mission of Love Simplicity . Solidarity . Mission

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Our Mission So Far

Scholarship Program As of 2011, we have 13 scholars under our Scholarship Program. The program includes Saturday tutorial classes and Summer Holiday Program. The scholars come back during the summer for extra lessons. This summer the scholars donned their swimsuits and enrolled for basic swimming classes. Storybook Weve just published a Filipino and English-written gospel-based story for kids, Ang Kwento Ng Pasko (The Story of Christmas). The book was illustrated by the kids. And were not stopping there. More books will be released in 2012. $6 per copy Contact: 90279475 / daryl@acts29mission.com

The scholars with their swimming instructors

Volunteer House Mothers Ministry Every Saturday 4 mothers spend 2 hours in Paaralang Pantao with program supervisor Eugene. They are the mothers of our scholars, Mary Jane, Angela, Kristine and Clover. Martina, Mary Janes mother, first approached Eugene some months ago expressing her wish to learn to read and write. Her enthusiasm rubbed off on the other mothers and today they have learnt to write the letters of the alphabet and their names. I want to study for my kids. They are studying too, shares Martina. The mothers hope to keep up with their kids who are attending the Saturday tutorials every week. The mothers also hope that by learning to read and write they can later pick up more skills. They hope that someday they will be employed elsewhere as working on the dumpsite is harsh and hazardous to their health. This November we welcomed our 1 group of volunteers from CHIJ (Toa Payoh). We look forward to receiving more guests in the coming months.
st

For more information, contact Sherlyn Khong Email: sherlyn@acts29mission.com HP: 90666024

acts29mission
Block 10, Lot 61, Phase 1-A, Sub-Urban Village, Brgy. San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal

Contact us:
enquiry@acts29mission.com www.acts29mission.com

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Continuing the Mission

acts29mission Foundation will be registered as an NGO in the Philippines. Formation House Sponsor a Child: It costs P2000 a month to provide for the food and basic necessities for 1 child/teen living in the Formation House. This adds up to SGD800 a year. acts29 is looking for sponsors to sponsor a child for one year (January to December). Full Sponsorship Amt: $800 Half Sponsorship Amt: $400

Satellite houses for residents

Vegetable Farm

Volunteer Centre

Main Building 1. Administrative Office 2. Activity Centre 3. Chapel 4. Dining 5. Kitchen

House Parent: We have 5 children on our waiting list urgently in need of a home. They include 2 abandoned siblings and 3 children in difficult home situations. Criteria: Singaporean (single/couple) Male/Female Catholic Above 25 years old Able to cook and manage a household Provide basic faith formation to the residents Duration: 6 months Meals and lodging provided For Donations/Sponsorships: Contact Daryl Spykerman Email: daryl@acts29mission.com HP: 90279475

Who we take in: Children/teens from Payatas (Orphaned, single parent, abandoned). The Mission of the House: To Know God, Love God and Serve God Cost of NGO Registration: P1 million = SGD30K (P- Pesos, SGD - Singapore Dollar) Cost of land (1 hectare): Est. P3 million = SGD 100k Construction cost: Est. P1 million = SGD 30k Fundraising target: SGD 160k

Visit us at our new site http://www.acts29mission.com