Child sponsorship update from Calbayog, Philippines

Update for
child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village from Calbayog, Philippines from Winter 2007/2008.

Dear Friend,

A whole year passed and it is a great pleasure to greet you again as a valuable and important member of our world-wide family whose kind support helps us to provide a better environment here in SOS Children’s Village Calbayog. Our total population now is 66 children in the Children’s Village and 50 youths in the Youth Facility. So, we are very happy to share with you the recent developments that took place in 2007.

During the first quarter of the year, the whole family was in blissful atmosphere with different activities in each month. In January, the yearly Sto. Niño Feast Day was celebrated in the village. A liturgical Mass was observed with our local sponsors’ support, after which a banquet was served. Then a variety of production numbers was organised, much to the gaiety of the audience. Meanwhile, Valentine’s Day in February was also celebrated with dance showdowns, games and the Search for Mr. & Ms. Valentine’s 2007. Also, March was jam-packed with a Community Clean-Up Drive, an outreach program for the neighboring community; a recollection attended by our Grades 4-6 Elementary Students in observance of the Lenten Season; and the Graduations Rights for our 25 graduates, 8 in Pre-Elementary, 5 in Elementary, 10 in High School and 2 in College.

As part also of the Lenten Season, the “Senakulo” presentation was once again performed, reenacting the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Moreover, a nine-day novena was offered for our SOS founder and father, Dr. Hermann Gmeiner, to commemorate his death anniversary last April 26. A requiem mass and symbolic offering highlighted the event.

On the other hand, eight of our Youth Girls had their Summer Job Exposure, also in April, to various offices, agencies and establishments in the city to help them determine the right choice of college education. As one way of exploring the youth’s entrepreneurial interests, they went through skills training in jersey making under the supervision of the youth staff.

The Annual Sports Festival was held in May, aiming to strengthen the children’s interest in sports, literature and music. Four competing teams battled, with the Globe Team triumphantly declared as the over-all champion. To acknowledge the good performances of our deserving students, a recognition program was given to them with awards and tokens that served as their reward for doing good in school.

Events at Calbayog, Philippines

The SOS Social Centre for Mother and Child increased its number of Mother’s Club beneficiaries with now 106 members and 317 children presently involved. To date, the Family Strengthening Programme (FSP) has 120 families and 498 children as beneficiaries from varied barangays.

In June, three major activities marked SOS Day; a children’s party was held intended to 50 depressed children of Brgy. Matobato ages 6 years and below together with our 12 kids in the village that were facilitated by the Village educational team. Simultaneously, the Plant a Tree, Make A Child Happy Fund Drive was incorporated wherein the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Head zestfully stood as the resource speaker for the orientation. The project tends to invite sponsors and LGU partners to plant or adopt “pili” seedlings. Another project is the FSP 1-meal a day supplemental feeding wherein fifty three family beneficiaries from Brgy. Dagum assembled for the event. Indeed it was a hectic month for the SOS Social Centre staff as they finalised the 407 FSP enrollees in 35 barangays within the city. There was a sorting and distribution of school supplies to the FSP beneficiaries as well as scholars. During the launch of these events, the Selfless Love Commemorative Book, the new SOS website and the Presidential Citation were randomly introduced along with the other activities.

In preparation for the transfer of the eight youths, an orientation was given on July 14 wherein all the documents needed for the training period was thoroughly discussed. Also, the youth facility had skills training in Masapan, Yema and Tamarind making to empower the youths. The Nutrition Month celebration paved the way to properly inform the village on proper food intake with this year’s theme: “Healthy Lifestyle ng Kabataan Landas sa Kinabukasan”. The festivity was held last July 28 wherein the Village Day was also celebrated and the Educator/Consultant from the City Health Office shared her knowledge on nutrition and healthy lifestyle of adolescents. Other activities that transpired during the day were trivia quiz contest for elementary and high school students, videoke singing and a banquet that was shared by everyone.

Children growing up at Calbayog, Philippines

The month of August included a series of workshops for the children like the “Individual Speech” conducted for the youth girls. The exercise geared on helping them boost their self-confidence, enhance communication skills and establish a sharing atmosphere between the group. In addition, the youth girls experienced team building activities that aimed on fostering close relationships. The following activities are “Getting to Know You” and “The Boat is Sinking”. Regarding interpersonal relations, an activity called “Going-Steady” was prepared to focus on the value of accepting ideas of others to open them to differing opinions of people on daily matters. The youth boys were also given exercises, focusing on discussing their feelings and emotions. They differentiated their negative emotions and behaviours as a continuation of the assertiveness lecture programme. The activity helped them in releasing their anger positively and communicating their emotions properly. A lesson on handling telephone calls properly was given by the staff. Also, they were tasked to evaluate their voice and their manners when speaking with someone on the phone. “How to be an Excellent Student” transpired to promote positive attitudes towards learning.

Another highlight was the 35th Foundation Day Anniversary on September 15. A Thanksgiving Mass was held at the Brgy. Dagum Chapel. It was participated by the whole SOS Community together with the SOS Social Centre beneficiaries. The ongoing trainings were scheduled for the benefit of the staff and children in the village. A 3-day Team Building Workshop facilitated by a Training Specialist from DSWD Field Office 8, Tacloban City was organised last September 17-20 wherein 30 participants benefited. It strengthened, rebuilt and created a deeper working relationship among the co-workers and at the same time emphasised the significance of each member of the team.

For the rest of the year, more activities happened to enrich the talents of our children and interact more with the local community by joining in local celebrations and festivities. This Christmas season is another busy month for us as we transpire presentations and fund raising events, riding in the Yuletide Season. We will be inviting our local friends, sponsors and benefactors to grace our events, as our way of thanking them for their unwavering support.

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

With our heartfelt wishes and thanksgiving,

Mario Victor C. Baang
Village Director