by Alvin & Mariz Ricafort
We rejoice in preparing for Christmas with the love that we have from Lord. This same love propels us to serve with limitless enthusiasm and continue to minister to children through Cornerstone.
On Gaudete Sunday last December 15, 2019, we celebrated the Sector-wide Cornerstone Christmas Party at the Cubao Elementary School. The theme was “Cornerstone is Love.”
Almost 100 tutees from 5 elementary schools from the West B Sector attended the event. These were the Cubao Elementary School, Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School, Pura V. Kalaw Elementary School, San Francisco Elementary School and Ramon Magsaysay Elementary School.
It was a half-day filled with fun, games, group presentations by tutees and their parents, shared snacks and lunch, and gift giving. Gift packages consisting of water tumblers, food keepers and utensils were distributed to all the tutees. They also received slippers and individual gifts from their “ninongs and ninangs”.
The event was possible with the support of generous sponsors: the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), Dragon Slippers, along with individuals who provided gifts and Noche Buena packages for the tutees and their families.
What Is Cornerstone?
CORNERSTONE is a program for education of Couples for Christ ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor) Foundation. It aims to reach out to slow readers, at least 30 children per school, from the elementary levels of public schools through Reading Tutorials and Values Formation. Complimenting these are the Parents Values Formation Programs intended for the parents of the tutees.
Cornerstone started in SY 2011-2012 as a partnership with the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED) with the approval of the Department of Education. A pilot program involving 10 elementary schools in Metro Manila started the partnership. Currently, Cornerstone is present in 233 elementary schools in 32 provinces nationwide. Initially, volunteers for the tutorial were from the CFC-Singles for Christ community. This later extended to corporate partners, employees, as well as high school and college students (NSTP Parish Immersion activities).
Within the NSOLL area, Ramon Magsaysay Elementary School has been a partner school for 5 years. Regular reading tutorials are conducted every Sunday from 9 am-12N. A handful of RMES alumni who reside, nearby volunteer, every Sunday. Some students from Catholic schools like Sienna College and UST- Angelicum also share their time with Cornerstone as part of their Parish Immersion Program.
Cornerstone is
Mark 12:10-11 “The stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done and it is wonderful in our eyes.”
Photo Credits: Alvin Ricafort
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