Helping Asia's Little Ones
Ernesto de Oliveria felt discouraged. His school building had been destroyed
recently during troubled times in the new country of East Timor. Workers had
tried to fix the building using bamboo walls, but the walls quickly began to
deteriorate because of constant rainfall. There were enough desks for only half
of the schoolchildren, and those were damaged. Would the children of East
Timor ever have a nice school?
Ernesto is the principal of Namolessu Primary School in East Timor. Because
the school and the children it serves are so desperately poor, he is often discouraged.
The school had no textbooks for students. The children had nothing
to write on or write with. And there weren’t enough teachers or classrooms.
The teachers and students felt neglected and forgotten. Ernesto admitted that
he sometimes felt like a failure because he was not sure the children were
learning. Still, the children have been eager to learn, and their perseverance
has kept Ernesto going.
Alberto da Silva, the father of four children who attend Namolessu Primary
School, said, “It is painful to see my children’s need and not be able to provide
what they need. I can barely provide for their food. How can I give them notebooks
and pens?”.
Thanks to Asia’s Little Ones*, the school is now seeing vast improvements.
New desks and chairs have been made, and school supplies and teaching materials
are being provided.
This school project adopted by Asia’s Little Ones brought new materials and
new hope at just the right time. Ernesto felt so blessed! He is seeing in the
children a greater interest in learning, and absenteeism has decreased.
The teachers feel blessed too. They find it easier to teach now that the students
can write down what they study and review it later. Now teachers can give
homework. Teaching and learning has become more fun for students, as well
as teachers.
The school project helped Ernesto realize that his school had not been forgotten.
Now he and the teachers feel loved and cared for—and extremely grateful.
Ernesto is not yet a Christian, but he feels like he is part of a family where
brothers and sisters really care.
Alberto da Silva is very thankful for what Asia’s Little Ones has provided for his
four children. He said, “These school materials are precious gifts to my children
and to me too. All the students’ parents are so grateful and would like to
thank all the donors. God will bless you all.”
On behalf of the teachers, Ernesto thanks all the people who helped make the
project possible. “My heart is filled with joy and happiness about this thing
that helped reach our primary school in Namolessu. I give my endless gratitude
and thanks to all the donors. We cannot give you anything, but just thank
you very much, and God bless you!”
*Asia’s Little Ones is a target ministry supported in part by funds from BGMC.
Information for this story comes from asiaslittleones.org and is used with
permission from Assemblies of God World Missions.
©2006 The General Council of the Assemblies of God. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce and adapt lesson components for exclusive use in the local church. Any other use requires written permission.
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