Visions of Hope: July 2011

Children at CCT's boarding school in Puypuy, Laguna are all smiles at their very first Jollibee party.

Chantielle Labadan, a student at UP Los Banos, celebrated her 23rd birthday with former street children at CCT's Rose of Sharon House of Friendship boarding school in Puypuy, Laguna. "I wanted to celebrate my birthday in a meaningful way this year," she said. She held a Jollibee party with the children on July 6, complete with balloons, games and prizes, a cake, and the Jollibee mascot.

The Rose of Sharon House of Friendship, run by the Visions of Hope Foundation of the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries, currently houses 39 children, most of whom were rescued from a life on the street. The boarding school leads them to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and equips them to become responsible and productive citizens of the country. Here they have an opportunity to get excellent Bible-based education in the classroom and through outdoor hands-on experiences, through sports and arts.

During an earlier visit, Chantielle learned of the needs of the children, so instead of the typical loot bag with candy and gum, she gave each child a small school bag, slippers, an oral health kit, a notebook, a coloring book, a pencil, and crayons.

Her husband, Aloboy Labalan, plans to also celebrate his next birthday with the Puypuy children.