Child sponsorship update from Manila, Philippines

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Manila, Philippines from Christmas 2007

Dear Friend,

A whole year passed and it is a great pleasure to greet you again as a valuable member of our worldwide family whose kind support helps us to provide a better environment here in SOS Children’s Village Manila. Our total population now is 72 children and 29 youths. So, we are very happy to share with you the recent developments that took place in 2007.

To start the year, the Educational Team and the Youth Staff embarked on a four-day review and realignment of on-going activities to the current Child and Youth Care Program from January 17-20. Also, 35 children and staff were treated out to a wonderful experience last January 21 in the magical live show “Peter Pan” courtesy of Children’s Hour, a local non-government organisation.

For the month of February, we were visited by faculty and students from Universidad de Santa Isabel of Naga City and RMCA Health Care Training School of Cagayan. For March, the whole SOS Manila family participated in the successful implementation of a Fund Raising event of the National Office entitled “Hope In Motion: Fun Run and Fun Walk”. The children had fun walking/running around the Ayala Alabang village and interacting with the other runners and walkers.

Towards the end of March, we attended the various graduation rites of our children and youths. There were two High School and two Elementary students who graduated at the University of Perpetual Help Las Piñas; four Elementary students who graduated from Blessed Trinity School; four Elementary and three High School students at Mary Immaculate Parish Special School; one High School student at Potrero National High School; one youth girl graduated with a degree in B.S. Medical Technology at Feati University; and one youth boy who graduated from PATTS in a two-year technical course in Avionics.

For other activities, three youth boys and one youth girl joined the Youth for Christ Camp in Bicol from April 12-14. Part of their activities was to help build houses for indigent communities in support of the Gawad Kalinga Program of the Couple’s for Christ. Similarly, ten of our youth leaders participated in the Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF) Alabang’s Youth Summer Camp entitled “Evolve” which was held from April 21-23 at the Rizal Re-Creation Center in San Pablo, Laguna.

Children celebrating

On the other hand, in line with the 40th Foundation Anniversary celebrations in May, selected children sang a couple of songs to formally start the reception hosted by His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in Intramuros, Manila last May 3. Yvonne, an SOS Child, served as the program host while Mama Lilibeth Abella gave a speech on her becoming an SOS mother. Another group of selected children, mothers, aunts and coworkers participated in the Cultural Night, the culmination event of the week-long celebration. It was held at Insular Life Corporate Center at Filinvest Corporate City here in Muntinlupa City last May 6. For other events, 40 youths together with the Pedagogical and Youth staff participated in the Reliv Kalogris Foundation Walk at the Rizal Park, Manila last May 11 to support their advocacy of bringing health and hope to thousands of people by providing nutritional support to individuals worldwide. Another major activity was our Annual Village Outing that was held at Aroma Beach Resort, Laiya, San Juan, Batangas from May 21-23. The staff prepared an “Amazing Race”-like challenges for the children.

The village then celebrated the 58th SOS Day last June 23 as well as the 19th anniversary of the Children’s Village. A simple program of native dances and original Filipino songs was presented to friends and guests. Also, a “Back to School Bazaar” was organized as part of our PFR campaign. Then, the formal transfer and turn-over ceremony of ten youth boys to the Youth Facility in Las Piñas was done.

On July 21, the whole family gathered together for the Family Day celebration to formally welcome the 21 newly admitted children and to give Dra. Apale, our long-time volunteer doctor, a special treat for her birthday. Then, the children participated in art sessions sponsored by Ms. Barquay, a new friend. The sessions were conducted every weekends of the month. The children were grouped into five according to their age bracket.

Reaching out to children

As part of the activities for child values formation, the Village Educator initiated a Young Tutor Group among our High School students last August 16. An orientation and team building activities were prepared for the group. Twenty children responded enthusiastically to the challenge and committed themselves to help in the tutorials of their younger brothers and sisters.

Likewise, various outreach activities were then arranged for the children and staff. Staff of University of the Philippines-Los Baños conducted various developmental activities together with the children last September 8. Also, Art class students from UP Diliman conducted a doll-making workshop among the children to harness their creativity and imagination last September 29. Meanwhile, two Grade School teachers from Maria Montessori Foundation started conducting tutorials among the children at least three times a week. Psychology students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila interviewed some of the staff about the organization while students from San Beda College Alabang conducted a team building seminar among the co-workers.

For the Children’s Month celebration in October, the staff participated in the Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN) launching sponsored by the Pasay City government in cooperation with the Pasay City Network for the Protection of Children. It was held at the Pasay City Sports Complex in Baclaran last October 18. Also, the PFR-in-charge together with the mothers, co-workers and selected youths, successfully brought into completion the Zero Gravity, A Rock Concert and an SOS Zero Tolerance Campaign on Violence Against Children, last October 27 at the University of Perpetual Help in Las Piñas.

On behalf of the entire SOS Manila family, we warmly greet you, A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS & A GRACE-FILLED NEW YEAR!

With our heartfelt wishes and thanksgiving,

Vicente T. Tejada
Village Director