The past school year:
2009-2010 allowed TLWCF to open the first Holistic Life Preparedness Program (HLPP) as a school for vulnerable over-aged public school students in Mandaue City. With the Memorandum of Agreement signed in May 2009 TLWCFI has gotten the permission from DepED to operate the school in June. With limited funds but with sheer determination to help and make a way for success to disadvantaged over-aged students, the school opened its doors to 90 students from five barangays in the city. Grade levels starts from grade 4 to 6 in the elementary and first to second year in high school. At the end of the school year, 12 grade six students graduated from the elementary. Another test result which we look forward to was the A&E, a government mandated acceleration & equivalency exam for ALS (alternative learning system) students. HLPP students were given the permission to take A&E exam which is only for out of school youths under the alternative learning system or ALS. This test holds the key for our students to make up for the lost years in school. Six takers from the elementary passed this test while 3 passed the high school exam. Among the 9 passers, 2 from the elementary topped in the city and 1 from high school.
We are so happy for all the passers because it opened a wider opportunity for them. One of the passers is Genesis, who confesses to be a “regular” first year drop out. She was enrolled by her father who believed her daughter will one day finish college. Genesis was involved in a violent fraternity that often brought her away from school and home. Her dad said it is good if she comes home two days a week. After several weeks in HLPP, Genesis learned to stay home more often than before. Her first quarter sickness of dropping out from school did not clique but made her more focus on her studies. She took the A&E test last year and passed. Now she is enrolled in college taking up Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and hopes to become a ship captain someday.

This School Year:
This June HLPP opens its doors to old and new students for the second school year. Our hearts cry out for change and transformation to all our students. We have 105 students enrolled and have opened a third year high school class although we have also phased out the grade four elementary class. Most of our funding for this school year will be coming from a grant by the Rotary Club of Goyang (South Korea) and the Rotary Club of Cebu. The Rotary Club of Cebu is actively involved with our project and has supported us with a second grant. Also early this year we have built two additional classrooms for skills training and job preparation with a grant from the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation through the Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund. The turn-over of the building is scheduled soon.
We are grateful for the good working relationship we have with our partners schools – Tabok National High School and Tabok Elementary School through their respective dynamic principals, Mrs. Jocelyn Villamor and Ms. Claribel Polipapa. HLPP is also happy and blessed to host Ms. Rosabelle Conover from Texas as a teacher/volunteer. Her 35 days in the project has impacted our students and staff with her adaptability, winsome personality, generosity and versatility. We pray for her success as she continues her studies in Chile and the U.S.
This school year, joining as our science teacher is Jan Anthony Simene, a registered nurse and a worship leader. We are also blessed to have as our volunteer teacher on job preparedness, Ms. Bernie M. Aboitiz, a member of The Lord Who Cares Foundation. A well-rounded individual with various exposures in job preparation, being an employer herself can very well impart the necessary training and tips for our students to get a decent job after graduation.
On the infrastructure side, the second floor of the building donated by RAFI still has to be completed. Although the two classrooms on the ground floor are already done, the second floor if completed will provide the needed general assembly area and an office space on the mezzanine. We hope to receive funding to complete the structure and maximize the use of the whole property where we are currently located.
We look forward to another fruitful and successful year for the students in HLPP with the hand of God to be upon us as we move forward to where He wants us to be.

Photos:

Volunteer Rosabelle Conover teaches science and also shares about the U.S. culture.

HLPP students learn practical skills for livelihood and employment such as native bread (pan bisaya) baking and siopao baking.  TESDA approved housekeeping skills is also taught.

Group work is encouraged inside the classroom while outdoor activities such as field trips reinforce learning experiences. On the right photo are elementary graduates for schoolyear 2009-2010.

The second floor of our new building will be a student assembly area  with a mezzanine to house the office.  We are trying our best to source out funds to complete the building. (currently the second floor is used as a storage area.)