"Welcoming our 2000th Child"
Without a husband to support, her mother was left alone with the responsibility to raise five young children. Her two older siblings, ages 10 and 11, helped their mother in selling fish. But this meager income could not provide fully their basic needs. Most of the times, they will only eat one full meal a day or sometimes not at all because they have no money to buy food.
This is the life of Annie (not her real name) before she came to SOS Children’s Village Calbayog. Her mother sought assistance from their community head, worried for her children’s health and future. In turn, their Barangay Chairman asked help from the Social Worker assigned. Series of counseling and visits led to the mother’s decision of placing her five children to an alternative family-based care while she looks for a decent living.
Annie is the 2000th child who found a new home here at SOS Children’s Villages Philippines. She was welcomed in SOS Calbayog last august 19, 2008 along with her four siblings.
Annie and her siblings found a new family in SOS Calbayog
This 8-year old girl adjusted easily with her new found family. She gained lots of friends and new acquaintances without difficulty. She is very friendly and courteous to everyone. Despite her past experience, you can feel a positive outlook on her. She is an active child who loves to play outside a lot. She is also respectful to her older siblings and is responsible in taking care of the younger ones. She is particularly close to her elder sister and her younger brother. Her SOS mother shared that Annie is very industrious, voluntarily doing some household chores like washing the dishes, setting the table and washing her own clothes. Also, she easily adapted to village practices like kissing the hands of the elders and observing village and house rules.
Together with the rest of her family, Annie goes to church every Sunday and joins in praying the Holy Rosary every night. She is observed to be a good follower if God, doing religious practices at all times.
Further, she was immediately enrolled in Grade 3 Elementary level because of her willingness to continue her studies. She does her school assignments without difficulty and wakes up on time to prepare herself for school. When asked what she would like to be someday, she immediately said, “I simply would like to finish my studies then later on find a job so I can provide my family abundant food and a decent house!”
The admittance of Annie and her siblings amplified the unique sense of mission of our dear father and founder, Dr. Hermann Gmeiner. Every child is given a new home in SOS, but the sense of belonging in a biological family is preserved by welcoming not only one child, but all siblings. Now, after 41 years, SOS Children’s Villages Philippines has given 2,000 children a new hope to succeed.
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There are other "Stories of Hope" from SOS Calbayog. Please check this link.
SOS Calbayog can be reached at (+63 55) 209-37-98
1 comment:
thank you for featuring our child, and making a difference in the lives of the children. hope to see more calbayognons taking their little share in lifting underpriviliged children..
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