‘We care, we share’
The generosity of the human spirit is like a salve that soothes the soul. Or better yet, it is a blessing, an answered prayer to those who fervently yearn for it.
Recently, there was an overflow of kindness at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City during the charity dinner tendered by the Healing Servants’ Foundation. Dubbed “We Care, We Share,” the fundraising dinner aimed to help the poor but deserving students of the Divine Healer Academy in Cabid-an, Sorsogon.
As guests ventured into soulful merrymaking that night, their presence at the occasion meant they also opened a floodgate of opportunities for the students of the school.
Fr. Gerard Deveza, an unassuming healing priest, founded the Divine Healer Academy in 2003 out of his genuine concern for the children of Sorsogon, the place where he was ordained as a priest.
“They are blessings that I count every day,” said Fr. Gerard of the 365 Kinder to third year high school students of the Divine Healer Academy.
“Their hopes and dreams matter to me and the people behind the Healing Servants’ Foundation. Their aspirations in life also matter to the many who care to share their time and kindness,” added Fr. Gerard, who, aside from the yearly charity dinner, had also organized golf tournaments among other fundraising events to ensure that the future of the kids will soon see the light. At the moment, the students of the school are competing at the ongoing Christmas tree contest of the Dusit Thani Hotel, hoping that if they win, part of their educational needs for the next school year will be assured.
The school is solely dependent on the kindness of people. It is because of this kindness that the students are able to study for free at the Divine Healer Academy, a private mission school.
Fr. Gerard dreams a lot for his students lately. He has plans of putting up a vocational school, and perhaps a college, on the lush one-hectare property of the school. Being a man of God, he is confident about his vision.
“We continue to dream for these students because they continue to believe in themselves,” said Fr. Gerard.
For the students of the Divine Healer Academy, that dream is their ticket to the future.
(If you wish to help, please call Fr. Gerard Deveza at 0917-538-2033. E-mail me at bumbaki@yahoo.com or follow me on Twitter @bum_tenorio. Have a blessed Sunday!)
