Activities
ZEElifestyle Cover Page (August 2009 Issue) ZEElifestyle wrote a beautiful story about us |
featured in an International Magazine ZEElifestyle (August 2009 Issue) Hope Revisited at the Adam Jennie?s Christian Center for Special Children By: SAM BRIONES photography KEVIN GUYNN Fate hands us things when we least expect them. It certainly did that for Lee Jennie, who never expected to find his personal mission when he visited the Philippines to go exploring and take some pictures. A welder by profession, Lee was just set on taking a vacation, and perhaps, finding a venture to invest his little savings in. What he found in Mandaue City steered Lee in a completely new direction. He found himself interacting and growing close to a group of special children in a center in the area. His next step was easy ? Lee volunteered at the center for the next five months. During that short time, he saw the kids thought of as stupid and incapable, grow, thrive and develop new skills. He also quickly learned the harsh reality ? that only very few people bothered with these special children. It was now impossible for Lee to turn his back on what he saw, so he went back to the States, sold what belongings he could, and with the funds he had acquired, set off to open a special school of his own. With that, the Adam Jennie?s Christian Center for Special Children was born, named after Lee?s only son, Adam. The center admits children who are mildly mentally challenge, have Down?s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), children with language delay, language disorder or Autism. Lee?s vision for the center is simple ? to provide an ideal community for special children that guarantee their welfare while developing their full potential. He also maintains that to be fully effective, learning has to be constantly fun for the kids. To achieve this, the center utilizes media aids to keep up with the children?s short attention spans, field trips are held frequently, and Fridays are always party days. The kids have certainly responded to this fresh approach to teaching. Lee and the center have proudly sent a few children back to mainstream education, and are set on the new goal of eventually getting all the kids to that stage. Amazingly, education is completely free for special children who come to the center. The center does not charge for its services and although it is affiliated with ten schools and universities in Cebu City, it doesn?t received any financial support from large institutions or government organizations, instead relying on the small amount of donations they receive. Lee, and his son Adam, take on numerous responsibilities themselves, and count on teaching volunteers to help run the center. Once a welder of parts, Lee Jennie has moved on to fusing bigger things. In his own way, he is fixing what is broken, melting the barriers that prevent these children from interacting with others. Through the Adam Jennie?s Christian Center for Special Children, Lee has found his true calling-welding away the gap between these special kids and the harsh reality world they sometimes find themselves in. Want to help? The Adam Jennie?s Christian Center for Special Children accepts donations in cash and kind. You are also more than welcome to offer your time and talents to the center. The center is located at Z1 072 Catalino Ouano Street, Looc, Mandaue City. Call tel. (032) 420 2821 or email them at christiancenter4u@yahoo.com. Visit their website at www.christian-foundation.com |
Cover Page of KMC (Japanese Magazine) We are so thankful to be chosen and featured in a Japanese Magazine for the month of August 2009 Issue among the other Centers in Cebu. |
being featured in Japanese Magazine (KMC) Special Children Prosper against all odds In the Philippines, there is a special group of people who are visibly identified, but lingers in the shadow of normal society. These are the Filipino children with mental or learning disabilities. Often times, society leer at these misunderstood children, and turn a blind eye to the injustice done to them by not acknowledging their rights to pursue full productive lives. It is unfortunate that in the Philippines it is still a taboo to talk about a family member with mental disabilities. The parents with special children are faced with a monumental degree of challenges from the physical and psychological demands of raising them, to the financial affliction on the families in general. Base on the 1997 NCDCS-DOH, the population of the mental impaired individuals is estimated to be 84,935. The sad reality is that schools or centers catering to these special children are significantly few in numbers, and beyond the financial capability of ordinary Filipino family. As a result, many of these children end up neglected, disowned, abused. The lack of parental knowledge and the stigma attached to these disorder may result in the developmental stagnation, and forced isolation of these children. Four years ago, an American named Mr. Lee Jennie took noticed of the sad predicament of many special children in Mandaue City, Cebu, and decided to use his own funds to open a specialty school called Adam Jennie's Christian Center for Special Children Inc. Despite the building's modest facade, simple interior and limited floor space, the school was able to provide a safe learning environment for the special children. The Organization is dedicated to foster the development and well-being of these less privileged children. In addition, their services are absolutely FREE, and open to children with mental and learning disorders regardless of religion and financial status. Through the guidance of the Department of Education (Special Education Division), devoted staff and volunteers, and Mr. Jennie, their students are able to go grow with confidence. Collectively, the educators help gear them towards becoming productive individuals in society. Regrettably, the scarce resources available to the school dictate the limited number of students being accepted every school term. As a result, priorities are given from low income bracket families. Although the small donations allow Mr. Jennie to make few improvements to the school ultimately most of the funds needed to maintain their free services come from his own pocket. The volunteer teachers and caregivers contribute to the learning process of each child and lessen the financial burden on the school. In order to continue their free services and accommodate more special child in Cebu, the school desperately needs financial support from other generous donors. The financial future of the school may be uncertain, but the positive impact of their programs is undeniably lasting on the children. Some are able to qualify for entry in the main stream educational system, while others are trained for specific job skills required by some organizations, but fundamentally all the students show remarkable achievements in key developmental milestones. Adam Jennie's Christian Center for Special Children Inc. is a small Institution that has gargantuan impact on the lives of the students, their families, and the people who are willing to open their eyes and hearts to the lives of these special children. The smiles on their innocent faces and their eagerness to learn proves that it's a job well-done. For more information you may visit http://christian-foundation.com KMC BY: Jershon G. Casas |
Meeting the Buddies |
Meeting the Buddies Steve heat up the Dance floor |
Meeting the Buddies |
Meeting the Buddies getting to know with the Buddies |
Meeting the Buddies A wonderful smile with USC volunteers... :) |
July 20 thru 27, 2009 Here we are waiting our turn to perform. Were sitting under our banner. |
July 20 thru 27, 2009 We also had a number that we danced as well for the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Mandaue City in Cebu, Philippines. |
July 20 thru 27, 2009 Here some of us out of 33 children in front of the sign. |
July 20 thru 27, 2009 We are Part of the 31st Mandaue City National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. |
CROCLANDIA What a fun trip, two time's a month, we try and go on a outing, this was our nature trip. |
Where did this come from Well, they said it wouldn't bite me?? Smile they were right. |
CROCLANDIA What a fun trip, two time's a month, we try and go on a outing, this was our nature trip. |
Emilio's Corner Emilio's Corner Photo Exhibit last year at SM City Cebu |