SACRED HEART SCHOOL - HIJAS DE JESUS News Update on Collaboration Activities

By Ms Mellissa Kho, Sr. Patricia Aragon, F.I. and Sr. Lillian Lim, F.I.

KASAMBAHAYS

     Blessed Candida Maria de Jesus dreamt of a world that is more humane and just where everyone can be given equal opportunities, since we are all brothers and sisters to one another being God's beloved children. She had a passion to help the poor and the needy. To continue her dream in the present times, the Sacred Heart School - Hijas de Jesus in collaboration with the Visayan Forum (a Philippine NGO working against human trafficking and supporting the rights of domestic and child workers) and the Department of Education designed a program where Domestic Helpers or KASAMBAHAYS can be given opportunities to finish secondary education. Around 45-50 KASAMBAHAYS come to SHS-HDJ every Sunday at 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

     There are 9-10 volunteer teachers and staff of the school who facilitate their lessons. For the first hour, the KASAMBAHAYS are given input on a particular subject area, the next hour is for the review, and the final hour is for their individual work where they will study a module with a speific topic and with a particular skill that needs to be achieved. It is very touching to see the level of interest and enthusiasm of the KASAMBAHAYS. From a small group of round 30 Kasambahays when the Sunday school started last May 2008, the number is increasing.

     On the part of the SHS-HDJ faculty and staff, after being given the proper orientation, they didn't waste time in signing up to volunteer their time, knowledge and skills. They do this because they want to help make Candida's dream a reality. By February, the participants will be assessed and evaluated if they can take the qualifying exams for secondary school. If they pass, a certificate will be awarded to them. With the certificate they will have better options in life aside from remaining to be KASAMBAHAYS forever.

 

AT INAYAWAN

     The Church calls us to reach out to our brothers and sisters who are in dire need. In response to this call and in line with the Vision-Mission of Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus, the School's outreach program intensifies its activities to the community of Inayawan (a dumpsite in the southern part of Cebu City). There are many things that should be done but we must make priorities. It is the intention of the SHS-HDJ to empower individuals and to develop in them a sense of responsibility for community-building and inner directedness for pesonal growth in the different areas of their lives.

    

     To attain this desired goal of empowering persons, formative activities are given to tap their own resources. This also allows them to have better knowledge of themselves and know their strengths. In acknowledging their gifts they also share these with others. Through this, a community of believers is built, where God is our Father and we are all brothers and sisters. Ongoing outreach programs of SHS-FI are, first: the Basic Ecclesial Community or BEC faith-sharing, happening every 3rd Sunday of the month. The different Christian Life Formation (CLF) and subject area teachers have signed up to volunteer the month they would like to facilitate the BEC.The BEC faithsharing happens in two parts. The first part which lasts for 30 minutes is a catechetical input by a CLF teacher. This input is based on the catechetical program of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

     The second part is the faith-sharing based on the Sunday Gospel. The CLF and Subject Area teachers facilitate this faith-sharing in small groups with the people of White Road, Ocampo Drive, Inayawan. Other concerns may also be discussed in the said meeting. The participants who are mostly BEC leaders look forward to these sessions. For them, it helps them very much in their faith-life. They are also able to animate the faith-life of their neighbors when they hold their own BEC sessions. Since health is such an important aspect in life as it contributes to the building of a healthy community, the second outreach program of SHS-HDJ is the feeding program every Sunday which addresses the need of the many undernourished children in the area. The fund comes from the Hijas de Jesus Solidaria Fund and is being handled by Sr. Patricia Aragon, FI. To ensure continuity and participation, the BEC leaders are asked to take charge of the food preparation and the actual feeding every Sundays. Third, there is an ongoing scholarship program given to the poor but deserving youth of the community. This is geared towards helping the younger generations develop their talents for a better future. Scholars, in return, render services to SHS-HDJ for a certain number of days.

KAHUPAYAN

     KAHUPAYAN which means 'to be relieved' in Cebuano is a crisis center which was set up by Cardinal Vidal. Aware of the growing need of many women who out of frustration found themselves sharing their personal problems during confession, the Archdiocese of Cebu created a place where they can feel safe to share their personal concerns and marital difficulties. In this way, they will be addressed properly and can even be given proper intervention.

     A number of religious congregations who were invited by the Archdiocese to head the program have come together to offer their services through counseling. Women who are exploited, abused, battered, and confused find refuge in Kahupayan.

     We collaborate with the program by sending our sisters every Monday to Sto. Rosario Parish to do counseling from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm or whenever the need arises and schedules permit. This is our concrete way of heeding the call of the Church and promoting the dignity of persons especially women.