Although the spirit of giving should be in our hearts all year round, it is this time of the year when most of us think of giving back to the less fortunate. In fact, we should always remember the words of Jesus: “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me.”
It has become a yearly ritual for my friends and I to get together and bring Christmas cheer to the Mother Teresa orphanage in Tayuman, Tondo, and to the Home for the Elderly across the street run by the Missionaries of Charity. Some of us keep watch over some of these children and would personally bring them milk and other basics on a monthly basis. These abandoned children did not ask to be born into our cruel world. In fact, some of them are deformed because their mothers took harmful medications to abort them.
It is through the selfless dedication of these good sisters, who come from all over the globe as missionaries, and with the help of generous benefactors, that the children are kept alive and comfortable. For those who are interested to help them, call 255-0832. The nun in charge is Sr. Gloriosa, a Korean nun who speaks some Filipino. She says that rice, oatmeal, Ensure and other kinds of milk, Milo, instant noodles, diapers, soap, Lysol, sponges etc. are needed by the children. The Home for the Elderly is managed by Sr. Jean Vianney, a kind Belgian sister. Call 252-3870. The abandoned senior citizens need as much help as the orphans.
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Two weeks ago, my precocious adopted niece Pianne Tobiano Sinfuego celebrated her 14th birthday in style! Instead of the usual birthday bash that a teenager would insist on, this young concerned citizen asked her mother Pinky Tobiano to allow her to share her blessings with poor children stricken with cancer and other debilitating diseases.
Surprised but delighted, Pinky organized a group of friends with their children to go to CHILD (Center for Health Improvement and Life Development) Haus, founded by the Ricky Reyes Foundation. Pianne and her group brought cakes and other goodies, toys, and the Qualibet Mascot to bring cheer to the sick children. This is one birthday party that Pianne will never forget and she plans to spread the idea to her peers.
Five years ago, CHILD Haus was created to be a halfway house for sick children from the provinces who were seeking treatment/chemotherapy in Metro Manila hospitals. Eighty percent of its residents are cancer patients, while the rest are afflicted with meningocele, hydrocephalus, congenital heart disease, and other debilitating diseases.
Today, CHILD Haus has evolved into a real home, reenergized with a host of new facilities and a full-service program not only to improve the children’s health, but also to uplift their quality of life. With the unwavering support of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), presidential daughter Luli Arroyo, Technology and Livelihood Research Center, and the Metro Manila Development Authority, CHILD Haus is now a two-story building painted yellow and has 220 beds for patients, folding beds for one guardian per child patient, toilets, baths, a central kitchen, laundry area, mess hall, library, playroom, prayer room, entertainment room, clinic, and playground with a healing garden landscaped by Ricky Reyes himself. Parents/guardians divide the chores of cleaning and cooking among themselves.
It is manned by project director Dr. Rachel Rosario, medical officer Dr. Erwin Estimo, three administrative staff, two janitors, a guard, and numerous volunteers that include nuns, teachers, doctors, and lay people. There is a volunteer EENT, Dr. Tomas Carvajal and dentists Dr. Edgar Dungo and Dr. Don Magadia.
CHILD Haus also gives holistic healing services including play therapy, arts and crafts, music and dance, story telling, children and adult catechism, Christian Bible study, grief and bereavement counseling, Mass and confession, nutrition and hygiene seminars, and patients’ assistance program.
Donations and volunteers should go to CHILD Haus, PCSO Complex, E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City. For inquiries, call 414-2421, 0916-4252927; e-mail childhaus@yahoo.com.