We celebrated our school founding anniversary differently this year – without the students.

COVID-19 heavily impacted our school operations since it began to spread in the country early this year. School Year 2019-2020 was cut short and classes were suspended. Students who worked hard for the year had no moving up, recognition or graduation rites. While the idea of early vacation sounds exciting, they cannot enjoy their summer break because they are forced to stay inside due to quarantine restrictions. With the Philippine President adamant about continuing normal school operations until there is a vaccine for the virus, it was uncertain when they will come back to school again.

In our operations, schools had to adapt to the “new normal” fast and comply with the long and constantly changing list of requirements of the Department of Education to continue providing education to our target sector. Since face to face classes are not allowed, we are forced to close down all its community-based kindergartens and had to let go of teachers. The two remaining tribal schools were on the brink of being closed down as well. If distance learning is the only modality allowed, what will happen to students in tribal communities who have no access to online classes and whose parents are not educated enough to support modular learning? Aren’t we supposed to not let any child be left behind?

God knows how important schools are in the life of these children. Schools are not only their gateway to a better future. It is in school where they can eat healthy meals and learn how to take care of and value their God-given bodies. It is in school where they learned to dream beyond the mountains they grew up in. It is in school that they discovered their potentials and embraced their tribal culture. It is in school where they learned who God is and who they are in His sight. For the past nine years, God has used CCT-Visions of Hope Christian School to reach out to these children and transform their lives and their families; and no virus can stop Him from doing that.

Look forward to our next entry to find out more about God’s transformation work through CCT-VOHCS! For now, we continue to hope beyond borders. We give back all the glory to God for His faithfulness and goodness through the years.