Krusada on Child Haus

MANILA, Philippines –  Although Child Haus is already in talks for the transfer of its residents to a new home in Manila following the eviction notice it received last September, the Krusada episode about them that aired last December lingers in the hearts and minds of the public.

In the episode anchored by Henry Omaga-Diaz, the heartbreaking stories of Child Haus residents were typified by those of 12-year-old Erica Lei dela Cruz, who has brain tumor, and by one-year-old May delos Santos, who has hydrocephalus.

May, on the other hand, comes from Bicol. She is the daughter of a rice cake vendor who only learned about her condition two months after she was born. The segment chronicled how May’s parents sought to have their child treated, which eventually took them all the way to Manila. Diaz said the episode about Child Haus reminds him his work as journalist is not yet over. He vowed to see to it that the children of Child Haus don’t end up on the streets.

The episode investigated the official reason as well as presenting several theories on why Child Haus got evicted from their original home in Quezon City. It nudged several government agencies that can make Child Haus’ transition to their next home so much easier. Krusada also pointed out who can and must see to the welfare of Child Haus, and underscored the importance of keeping such a temporary shelter running smoothly.

Krusada was presented matter-of-factly, which made the story all the more touching. Indeed, it’s enough for the residents to talk about their everyday life and their hopes and fears for the public to realize that they deserve all the help they can get.

According to an ABS-CBN report, the Center for Health Improvement and Life Development or Child Haus is one of the beneficiaries of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which is bound to give the shelter a grant of P100,000 monthly support.

Child Haus is a joint partnership of four institutions: Three Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) and one non-governmental organization (NGO). The Ricky Reyes Foundation is the principal sponsor although PCSO aids by paying for their electricity and water, as well as allowing them to use one part of the PCSO compound.

Aside from being provided with free food and amenities while they undergo medical evaluation and/or treatment in Manila, the residents of Child Haus are looked after along the principles of hospice care, which promotes the concept of holistic care healing through its various programs, services and activities. These include Saturday Night Activity (SNA), Bible studies, grief and bereavement counseling, nutrition and hygiene seminars and livelihood programs.