The Gayo Brothers' Story Chapter 2

The Gayo brothers and one of their teachers at the Judith Lazaraga Tiongco Memorial School.  

Back in 2012, four brothers – Ryan, Jeran, Rene, Roy – captured the hearts and interest of Visions of Hope teachers in Jaro, Iloilo.  The boys were nine, seven, six, and five years old then,  all eager to learn to read and write. But even if a public school was just several meters from their house, none of them were in school.  “We don’t have slippers to wear to school,” Rene explained when the teachers asked why.

So the teachers asked the boys’ parents if the brothers could come to the VOH Christian School instead, and bought each of the boys some shoes and slippers.  Because they seldom had footwear the brothers would carefully carry the slippers from home, put them on only in the classroom, carry them back home, and hang them up on nails. 

All four boys learned how to read and write and learned about Jesus too during that school year. They graduated along with the rest of the class in March 2013. (http://cct-visionsofhope.blogspot.com/2013_03_01_archive.html)

So where are they now?

The brothers now go to the Judith Lazaraga Tiongco Memorial School near their home.  The three older boys are in first grade but Roy is in pre-school again because he still does not have a birth certificate, a requirement for enrolling in grade school  

And how are they doing? 

Roy is doing very well because he's had a head start in reading and writing.   Rene’s teacher says he is helpful and can keep up with the rest of the class.  The teachers of Ryan and Jeran also praise the brothers for being hardworking.  

On Sundays the boys walk to the Evangel Tabernacle, which has a strong ministry among poor members of the Tabuc Suba community, to attend Sunday School.

The boys have just started out on their journey through life.  For sure, it is not going to be easy.  May they always be filled with hope. And may the Lord send caring persons to walk alongside them.