A spin-off of CCT-Visions of Hope Christian School (VOHCS) takes shape as an independent after-school program that gives hopeful tomorrows to children and youth in certain parts of the country. Aptly called Kinabookasan, the program was launched in four centers in September 2013, and will be in full swing in a total of eight centers come June 2014. Kinabookasan is a play on the words, “kinabukasan” which means future and derives from “bukas” or tomorrow, and “book” which is symbolic of learning.
When school year 2013-2014 opened, VOHCS Cabrera and VOHCS Cagayan de Oro (CDO), which were both operational during the two previous school years, were forced to close after they were unable to secure permits to operate from the Department of Education. The schools were converted into Kinabookasan centers to continue teaching basic literacy to these communities’ young members. VOHCS Iloilo and VOHCS Taguig, on the other hand, adopted Kinabookasan as a supplementary educational program in their community centers. A Kinabookasan curriculum was crafted in consultation with Right Start executive director Arlene Sy. Right Start is an after-school program for underprivileged children in San Juan City.
Kinabookasan serves poor children aged seven to fourteen but in certain areas where the need extends among younger or older children and youth, the age range varies. It is a two-hour program that combines literacy sessions and group activities such as games and craft-making, but children are free to stay for another hour to read and play. Holding morning and afternoon “classes”, small to medium-sized Kinabookasan centers have the following learning spaces – reading area, play area, multi-purpose hall, and art and resource area that are enjoyed by the children at no cost.
Kinabookasan centers are a place where stories of transformation happen. Asked how Kinabookasan is changing the lives of children and youth in Cagayan de Oro City, Teacher Rosilyn Saplor chokes up as she shares her students' testimonies. She says that her 35 students’ ages are as young as two and as old as 29, with the older ones attending grade school and badly needing help with reading. Most of them live by a bridge in Riverside, Carmen, CDO and earn a living by scavenging.
Because of Kinabookasan, Teacher Rosilyn's students started having aspirations for themselves. Being around drug dependents and alcoholics, two of her older students fell into vice and felt that the future had dimmed for them, but when they joined Kinabookasan, they realized that poverty is not a permanent condition. They are often teased in school because they are not able to bathe and eat regularly, and are lagging behind in their academics. However, they are accepted for who they are at Kinabookasan. Now that they see progress in their academics, they are inspired to push harder and become better in school. They have also met Jesus who they know cares for the poor and gives hope for their future.
