Staff Blog

It's obvious that CSC cares for kids' physical needs, but lately I've been thinking about what an important role CSC plays in their emotional development as well. The caring aunties, house parents, staff, and teachers help the kids here build trusting relationships. 

 

Sometimes newer kids are very shy and hesitant. For example, up until yesterday, this little boy would get big wide eyes, reach out for an auntie, or cry whenever I walked into the room. I felt horrible for making him so nervous.

But yesterday, HE SMILED at me! And I caught it on camera! The aunties and house parents are so loving to these kids and it's so cool to see even the babies "coming out of their shell" as they start to feel more safe and comfortable here. :)

Last night I got to the shelter in time to chat with the kids before prayers and bed time. For some reason, one group of girls had all kinds of questions about what employees fit where and who's "in charge" of whom. I began to wonder if I needed to get the org chart out. We seem to be raising a lot of management consultants right now (or a group of experts at delaying bedtime). 

I wasn't sure what to think about the questions and was hesitant to answer. The hierarchy didn't seem all that important, and I wondered why they would care.

But then, why wouldn't they? This is their home, and I suspect behind all of this is an underlying question that goes something like, "we can trust all of you, right?" They want to know who will take care of them, who will sacrifice for them and who will always be there. I think I could go through that org chart and check every name off when it comes to meeting those criteria. I'd put this team up against any other, anywhere.

Eventually the questions turned into who was more important and that's where I stopped them. You might know how easy that was to answer. "You are, girls. You are the reason all of us are here, you are the reason our jobs matter, you are the ones who make this important."

That answer had the advantage of being true...and getting them to go to bed.

For the second straight year, CSC participated in Adoption Consciousness Week in Cebu City. The celebration is aimed at increasing knowledge and interest in local adoption. CSC children joined the motorcade and a special program that featured musical numbers from local child caring institutions, a video that highlighted their programs and services, and some brief talks by officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Our own Mae Ann and Margie emceed the program and did a great job.

It's been awhile since we have talked about the Teen Home.  I thought I would take this time to fill you in.

Edith and Undoy are our houseparents.  Their oldest daughter is married and their youngest daughter lives at the Teen Home with them.

Julieto is 22 and is about to finish his third year of high school.  After taking a couple of years off and working, he decided to go back to school.  We are proud of him and how hard he is working in school.  He has a great attitude and is liked by all.  

Milbert is 17 and in his third year of high school.  He is involved in church with praise and worship and continues to love music.  He is activitely involved in the church youth group!  Milbert and Julieto are both looking forward to prom this coming Friday night.

Maria is 35 already and continues to live at the Teen Home.  She goes to school 2 afternoons a week to work on daily living skills.  She works at the shelter and also at the local grocery store 2 days a week.  Maria loves spending time with her friends and enjoys greeting people as they shop at the grocery store.  

Arleen is 29 now.  She continues to love music.  She is hoping to volunteer at the Braille center this next school year.  In her free time, she continues to practice piano and singing.  She is hoping to take more music lessons in the near future.  She would love to give private music lessons.  She is an encouragement to each of us.

Roselyn is 25 and in her third year of college.  She is majoring in Christian education.  She enjoys school.  She also enjoys teaching Sunday School on Sundays and working with kids.  We are so proud of Roselyn.  She maintains a positive attitude in all of her endeavors.   

I wish you could all meet Joemar.  Joemar will be  37 years old this year,  and has lived at CSC since he was almost 9 years old.  There has been a lot of life lived between those two numbers! Joemar interacts with the world at a cognitive age of  5-6 years old.  He loves Superman,  puzzles,  flashlights,  his cherished sea shells,  his keys and Mr. Bean DVD's.   Joemar is proud of his "balay" meaning his room in the Duterte home that he shares with his best buddy Jacob. 

Joemar works at two local McDonalds restaurants.   He clears tables,  mops up spills,  carries trays for customers, pours gravy (for the fried chicken that McDonalds is known for here) and overall cheers up McDonalds customers as well as staff.   He loves going to work every day!   Here at CSC Joemar keeps busy helping the cleaners up at school and visiting the Childcare and Nurses offices.   He always bursts in our door with a smile, a loud greeting and usually some things to keep him busy for awhile (puzzles, books,  paper...he always has a plan.) We can't help but smile when Joe comes to visit.  Joemar simply loves life,  and he lives life simply.  Joemar's talks a lot, he can be hard to understand,  but we have a few people here at CSC who are proficient in "Joemarese."  What a joy to have a conversation with this guy. 

Joemar has friends all over the world,  and he never forgets a friend.   But,  he has no concept of time.  Once he knows that someone is coming back to visit....be it this afternoon or two months from now...he reminds us numerous times a day that we should be going to the airport - NOW.   He does not want to leave anyone standing at the airport I guess!   So,  we spend lots of time telling Joemar,  "not today"  and trying to explain that we will not forget to go and get his friend.  The conversation will start all over again in a few hours though!

On Valentines day Joemar brought in supplies for an art project.  He worked for over an hour drawing hearts, coloring them and writing his name at least 10 times on the paper.  The whole time he was talking about  "hats" -hearts  and   "baltins" - valentines.   When he finally finished it he brought it to me.  I asked him who it was for, he always is bringing me things that he makes for me to give to others.  I was certain that this creation was for either his Housemother, Auntie Lourdes or the friend that he is thinking will be here any day (even though it is well over a month away) Auntie Lynn.  But his answer to my question was a big smile,  a finger pointing at me and a loud and clear  "YOU!"   He was so proud.   I know that it came from his heart, and what an amazing heart that is.  

I have known Joemar for almost 27 years and I literally could count on one hand how many days Joemar has not been happy.   He finds joy in everything.   We have all learned much from Joemar.  The day God brought him to CSC is the day that CSC was brought just a little closer to understanding God's heart.   We are blessed....I wish you could all meet Joemar.