Child Haus turns 11

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrating its 11th year, Child Haus continues to help after charting a total of 58 patients who have been completely cured of their ailments.

This was the good news from Ricky Reyes, whose foundation has been managing the institution since its inception. Child Haus has been providing temporary shelter to cancer patients and their families while seeking treatment in the city. Ricky said, “We know that what we’re doing here must be good because the children can be declared cancer-free after spending some time with us and they can go back to the lives they left behind before their cancer struck.”

To prove Ricky’s claim, experts say that the measly figure of less than 500 patients who succumbed to the disease out of the 11,000 cancer patients that Child Haus served in all its years of existence is a very good batting average. They expect that these numbers will get better in the future.

Ricky gives back the credit of this success to all those kind souls, the private individuals who have answered his call to lend their support and resources to better the lives of cancer-stricken children and their families. Ricky said, “After 11 years, Child Haus is not a child anymore. We are standing on our own feet. This is all because of the help that these people have extended to us.”

Today, a concelebrated Mass will be held at the Child Haus to celebrate its anniversary. Most donors and supporters will be present. About 38 out of the 58 cured patients will also come to celebrate.

First on the list is Hans Sy of the SM Development Corp. and his family, for without their help, Child Haus will not have a home at #19 Mapang-akit St., Brgy. Pinyahan in Quezon City.

Ricky said the help of the Sy family didn’t end with the donation of the location. “He does whatever he can to bring these kids simple joys in their young lives. They bring them to treats like shows or movies. One time, they celebrated the birthday of his grandchild at Child Haus and they saw 11-year-old patient Renz. He was to be sent home to his province because his case was already terminal. Renz was looking gloomy. Hans’ wife Carol approached the boy and asked him what his dreams were, to which the boy replied, ‘Gusto ko lang po makapunta sa SM.’” Ricky said that the following day, the Sys sent a chauffeur-driven car to pick up Renz and give him a trip to SM where he dined, watched a movie and shopped.

“It is Hans’ observation that the children at Child Haus recover very well because here in the shelter, they are happy. They find a community of support and they are treated like ordinary people. We make it a point that their needs are answered. We provide counseling to these kids and their parents so they don’t get depressed. The programs help them a lot.”

Ricky also shared with these kids and their families the importance of prayers. “Every Sunday, we hold a Mass at Child Haus. I want all of them to know that Child Haus was built because of answered prayers.”

There are other volunteers who go to Child Haus. Miriam College teachers come every week to tutor the kids on their academics; other foundations participate in the feeding of these children and their families; performers, dancers, singers celebrities also visit them.