Sponsor's update from Tacloban, Philippines

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Tacloban, Philippines

Dear Friend,

Warmest greetings from SOS Children’s Village Tacloban! It is a great pleasure to be in touch with you again. Your unwavering enthusiasm and assistance to SOS Children particularly here in Tacloban has kept us going in our efforts to better the lives of these disadvantaged children in our society. Our total population now is 73 children and 34 youths. Here is another sharing of what happened to us this year.

SOS Tacloban had a good start for the year 2007 with the successful program, the SOS Sponsors’ Day last January 20. This is an annual activity to thank local friends and sponsors of their continued support.

For the graduation month of March, four graduated in the pre-elementary, seven in Elementary and five in High School. At the youth facilities, one graduated from elementary, five in High School, and two in College. Other important activities included a two-day Career Guidance Orientation Seminar conducted last March 1 and 2 attended by nine youth girls (3rd & 4th year high school) and the Lenten Season Recollection of staff at Sto. Niño Church last March 16 and 17.

The village then conducted a recognition program and beach outing to the graduates, awardees and honorees for school-year 2006-2007 last April 11-12. Likewise, we commemorated SOS Day through mass offering at the Blessed Sacrament Parish. Snacks per cottage and lunch for the co-workers at the community house were served. Moreover, the 1st SOS Tacloban Fun Ride was conducted last April 28. 139 bikers coming from Leyte and Samar participated in the said activity. A short programme was then held in the village with Raffle draw and some special awards given to some bikers. Other activities include: regular weekly counseling, family visits and special one-on-one tutorial session to slow learners given by some co-workers and SOS mothers.

During the May Summer Sports Fest, competitions in cheer dance, ball games, indoor games, and parlor games happened, participated by the three groups composed of mothers, aunts, co-workers, children and youths. Next, a program highlighting singing, token-giving and dancing was rendered by the children in honor of their mothers, and an exclusive beach party was conducted by the mothers themselves in order to celebrate Mothers’ Day. Then, the Santacruzan, which was started on May 1, was culminated on the 30th with simple snacks after the prayer and participation in the Parish procession on the 31st. Lastly, the yearly family outing was held at Glorites Beach Resort, Brgy. San Antonio, Basey Samar.

Selected youth boys from Youth Facilities 1 & 2 presented during the visit of the SOS Children President in May and implemented activities like cooking, recollection, and “Kumustahan”. At the Social Centre, First Friday mass, Mothers’ club general assembly, Mothers’ club officers’ meeting, and general cleaning were the implemented activities of the Mothers’ club and the scholars for the month. In addition, the Mothers’ club members and the scholars also rendered dance presentations during the programme. Then, the Mothers’ club and the SC staff celebrated Mothers’ Day. Finally, the medical and dental services of the center benefited 43 and 44 patients respectively.

As for the SOS Day celebration last June 23, a mass was celebrated in the morning followed by parlor games and ball games and concluded by a cultural presentation in the evening that highlighted the said occasion. The turn-over ceremony of the Santo Niño Family House by Nanay Sayong to the new SOS Mother, Auntie Nenette, was also done during the SOS Day. The usual “Adopt a Family” now termed as “Share a Family” was also part of the celebration. Meanwhile, as part of the Fund Raising activity in the village, we rented a barbecue stand at the RTR Plaza known as Kasadyaan Festival Park. Some of our youth boys supported by means of helping and assisting at the booth and servicing the customers. Last June 22, eight children together with four staff attended a concert organised by the Re-Dawn Events Management, Inc. at the Capitol Gym. SOS was the beneficiary of the said event wherein 10% of their net income will go to SOS.

From July 15-16, the whole SOS family participated in the Silver Anniversary of the Social Centre. Activities during this two-day event opened with Holy Mass, booths and fund raising activities like Bingo socials and rummage sale. On the second day, motorcade around the city was conducted, playground demonstration, medical mission, Most Popular Mother & Child Coronation with socio-cultural presentations and dinner. Likewise, Nutrition Day was celebrated last July 21 wherein a cooking contest was held per house. As part of the fund raising activity in the village, mugs, t-shirts and grain of rice were introduced to the visitors.

The village then celebrated fiesta last August 16. The celebration for the Linggo ng Wika (Language Month) was prepared with a short presentation by the children. As part of the fundraising activity, the staff sold meal tickets for the Barbecue Festival set on September 15. For other activities, the Social Center organised a cosmetology orientation to selected mothers in co-ordination with Hon. Cristina Gonzales.

Children growing up at Tacloban, Philippines

Activities for September included a send off program last September 3 for the 12 youth girls who were transferred to the youth girl’s new facility under the supervision of a Social Worker. The Family Day was also conducted last September 15 wherein various activities were prepared. A Holy Mass started the day’s activities followed by parlor games, singing contest and lecture on “Family Values” which was given by the Parish Counselor from Sto. Niño Church. Simultaneously, the first Barbecue Festival happened. 800 meal tickets were sold at Eighty Five Pesos (P85.00) each. An acoustic band and some SOS dancers entertained the guests and visitors during the occasion. For the Social Center, the final selection of additional scholars was done last September 11 in which 13 students were accepted. Meeting and orientation together with the mothers of new scholars were held on the 17th. The Mother’s Club members and staff then celebrated Family Day on the 22nd with lectures on Drug Addiction, Women & Family.

In celebrating Children’s Month in October, a motorcade was done around the city. Other activities in the village included the Christmas card-making of children and youths for their sponsors, lantern-making and participation of a session entitled, “Listening to Children” held at the village. Also, two youth boys joined the National Boy Scout Jamboree held at Mount Makiling in Laguna while youth boy Wilson was recognised for winning the third prize in the Poster Making Contest in school.

Today, as the Yuletide Season is fast approaching, the whole family starts preparing for the thanksgiving activities. Different song and dance numbers are now practiced for the presentation of the children with invited local friends and sponsors as our guests in our “Share A Light; Share a Love” fund raising celebration. Local friends and sponsors have also pledged to sponsor Christmas parties with the children.

In behalf of the whole SOS Tacloban family, may the holiday season blesses you always for the goodness you always shared with us. Season’s greetings to you and your family!

With our heartfelt wishes and thanksgiving,

Oscar Garol
Village Director