Staff Blog
How can people be so heartless?
How can people be so cruel?
Easy to be hard, easy to be cold
How can people have no feelings?
How can they ignore their friends?
Easy to be proud, easy to say no.
Songwriters: Ragni, Gerome / Rado, James / Mac Dermot, Galt
The words of this song from the late 60s were brought to mind recently when a 12 year-old boy was referred to us. His story reveals the heartlessness and cruelty of people, and the ways that some children have to suffer at their hands. We'll call this boy Roberto and his younger brother, Michael.
Roberto and Michael were brought to an orphanage in Cebu City when they were babies. The orphanage, which was connected to a Protestant church, was not a good place. When the boys were older they were abused. Punishment was severe, sometimes cruel. The lady who was in charge of the place was the one dealing out the beatings. Luckily, the place was closed down and the children were parceled out to other child caring institutions. CSC got three girls from that place, but we did not have room for boys at the time, so Roberto and his brother, then nine and 10, went to live at a home for children on a neighboring island. Shortly after there arrival there, one of the boys threatened Roberto. (The home catered to older kids, and their residents included some who had lived on the streets and were used to fighting and intimidation.) On the second night they were there, Roberto decided to run away. Michael was afraid to go out into the dark night, but Roberto was able to find a young boy, just five years old, to go with him. The gate was always left open so they had no trouble getting away.
Roberto only knew one place to go, back to the church where he had lived. He didn't know that it was 18 miles from where they were starting out. And they had to cross a long bridge that led to Cebu island. But he knew he wanted to leave that place, so off they went into the night.
It took two days and nights to get to the church. They slept
along the road, wherever they could find a spot that looked safe. On the second
morning Roberto woke up and discovered that his little companion was gone.
Without a trace. All he could do was keep going. When he finally got to the
church he found that it was closed up. The gate was locked. One of the former
orphanage workers said that he could be their family's houseboy, but that didn't
last for long. One day that family packed up and left, and Roberto had no place
to go.
Out of desperation, he found a big piece of cardboard which
became his bed for the 
next months. He slept just outside the locked gate of
the former church/orphanage. He would look for food wherever
he could find it, in garbage cans or occasional handouts from neighbors. Other
times he would steal food to feed his hungry stomach, which enraged people in
the community. He was often beaten by neighborhood boys. One family took pity
on him and would stop the boys from beating him, and would give him food. Life
was hard for Roberto. No place to live. Nobody to take him in. He missed his
brother and worried about the boy who had disappeared along the way. How can
people be so heartless? How can they be so cruel?
One of the compassionate neighbors knew about CSC and informed us about the situation of Roberto. We get lots of referrals and can not respond immediately to all of them. Eventually our social worker and counselor went to visit Roberto and hear his story. They were overwhelmed by the things that had happened to him. In the next few days we made contact with the place where Michael was staying and arranged a meeting with their social worker. Two of our social workers, Chris and our new Social Worker Director, Klaris, and our counselor, Eldie, made the trip to the neighboring island to discuss the boys' case. Michael was relieved to hear that Roberto was okay. He hadn't heard anything about him for a year and a half. Both boys wanted to be reunited and it was determined that this should happen the next day at CSC.
The reunion was so sweet for the boys. They were more than a
little amazed at the facilities of CSC and the course of events that had
brought them back together. After more counseling and some medical
tests, and a talk with a representative of the place where Michael was living,
our staff made the decision to admit Michael and Roberto. The boys would no
longer be separated and Roberto's days of homelessness would end. It was an
exciting day for all of us. They boys needed to go back to their respective
places, get the few things they owned, and say goodbye before becoming official
CSC kids. But first we brought them to Jollibee, a fast food restaurant near
CSC. It was so much fun to watch the boys eat and laugh. It must have seemed a
little surreal to them to be together at that place with a group of adults who
were concerned about them and wanted them to be together in a nice and safe place.
Roberto was not able to finish his chicken and we were surprised when he asked
if he could have a bag for "take-home."
When they got to the place where Roberto had been staying, he ran to one of the houses near the church, the place where one of the people who had protected him from the cruel boys lived. This was the first person who had shown concern for him, maybe in his whole life. Roberto wanted to give this guy the leftover chicken from Jollibee! It was one of the most touching things that we have known about in our many years of working with kids. A few acts of kindness had made a huge difference in Roberto's life and he wanted to say "thank you" in the only way he knew how.
Later that day the boys were
officially admitted, and spent the night in the infirmary while 
we waited for
their lab results. The next morning they moved into the Cherne Home, where
house parents Tarex and Pureza and the children welcomed them. It was the
biggest day in their lives, so far. And there are many big days ahead. They
will be making a lot of new friends and will soon be enrolled in our Children
of Hope School. They won't be apart. They won't be hungry. If they are sick
they will be provided with the best medical care available in the Philippines.
If they are sad they'll be comforted. And they will get the chance to learn
about a loving Heavenly Father and a friend and Savior who will never abandon
them.
Yes, its easy to be heartless. Easy to be cruel. But its also easy to be kind. Easy to be a needed friend. Kids need a friend. Thanks to all who make it possible for us to say yes to kids like these two and the many others who need the love and care of our Shelter.
What time of day?
What time of day would you most like to be at the Shelter?
Early morning is a good time. The children are up early and having devotions in their homes with their house parents. You could stand outside in the playground and listen to them singing and praying.
Right after breakfast is another good time. During the school year the children are getting ready to head up to school. Some are just finishing up their chores, perhaps watering the plants. The toddlers are going out to play. There is lots of anticipation of the day ahead.
Mid-morning is Toddler Time, with special play and learning activities planned for the kids who are too young for pre-school. The kids are amazingly cute and really enjoy this time of learning and exploring.
Lunch time. The school kids head home to eat and discuss the morning school activities.
Afternoon. Things are pretty quiet with the younger children taking naps and the older ones at school. But there is a lot going on. The washing ladies are doing load after load of diapers and clothes for the children. Maintenance staff are doing gardening, cleaning screens and windows. The cooks clean up the kitchen and start the preparations for dinner. Meetings are going on in the child care and medical offices.
After school. This is the noisy time as all ages of children attack the playground. Some ride scooters around the sidewalk circumference. Some play basketball or soccer. The younger ones use the swings and slide. Babies in strollers go up the driveway. Older children organize games of tag and dodgeball.
5:00 p.m. A bell is rung and the children wind down their games. (At least in theory, they do!) The younger ones have their baths. The older children do their chores around the grounds. Its fun to watch them work together, enjoying each other and learning about responsibility and work.
6:00 is suppertime. Some of the kids help set the table, others will clean up and do the dishes. Good nutritious food is served and the children are thankful. They will do a unison "thank you auntie" for the cook.
After supper its time to do homework or, if none, to play board games or read. On weekends the kids will watch a DVD or be allowed to play outside. The house parents or staff members will pray with the kids after homework is finished. By 9:00 everyone is in bed and, not so much later, sound asleep. It is great to walk around the grounds and marvel at what God is doing at CSC.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Shelter News |
Summer Activities
Summer is a fun change of pace for the children at CSC. They get to take a break from homework and play all day. Well, there are still chores to do, so it is not all play.
Each summer, some of the children get to participate in an activity. The children ten years old and above got to pick between soccer, baking, and music lessons this summer. Eight children jumped at the chance to play soccer, which has become one of the favorite games at the shelter in recent months. The children join other kids at the city sports complex to learn from a local coach. Three children took the opportunity to learn how to bake with Teacher Jam. They have already made chocolate chip cookies and a carrot cake for Uncle Mitch’s birthday party. Music lessons attracted thirteen children to sign up. They are learning a variety of instruments from Teacher Ricky. He is teaching most of the children two different instruments. Two instruments is big for one summer.
The soccer coach just extended class for another week and the soccer players cheered. Now, all three classes will end at the end of May. The children’s excitement it fun to see. There are good smells coming for the kitchen, sweet sounds from the music room, and improved soccer skills on the playground.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Shelter News |
Recipe for Life
God is in control of each of our lives. He has a recipe for our lives. Since each of us is a different creation, we require different ingredients in different amounts to produce the end product, us.
There are many people and things which God uses to influence each of our lives. Some are big things that influence us in big ways. Some are small things that influence us in big ways. And some influence us in small ways which will change our course in life drastically. We need to take time to remember the people and things that God has used in our lives to make us into the people we are today.
Recently, several former CSC residents shared the ways in which God has worked in their lives. It is wonderful to hear from the children about God’s recipe for their lives, helping them grow into the young people they are today.
What is God’s recipe for your life?
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Staff Reflections |
Jacob and Ginda Give Back
Recently, Jacob and Ginda had the privilege to receive new wheelchairs. Their old rides were getting worn out. Thankfully, God is Able International Foundation Inc. took notice of this need and helped us get two wheelchairs for them. Over the years, Jacob and Ginda have been very fortunate in terms of having their needs met. They have received wheelchairs from different people and organizations.
CSC has a few old wheelchairs that past and present kids have outgrown. One of the goals of the Therapy Department at CSC is to get our young adults with special needs engaged in the community. The idea of involving Jacob and Ginda in an outreach event came up, and donating wheelchairs seemed like a perfect event.
The Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) was the recipient of four wheelchairs that Jacob and Ginda gave. STAC is located in Lapu-Lapu City (Mactan Island). The center is under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). They offer services such as physical, occupational and speech therapy to kids 14 years old and below who are residents of Lapu Lapy City. They also provide seminars and counseling to the parents of the children under their care.
Jorine, was one of the recipients. Together with her brother and sister, they waited for us to arrive. Jorine, 10, is in 4th grade. She has a congenital abnormality in her spine. She is currently wearing orthoses and is using crutches to help her walk and get to the places where she wants to go. Upon trying one of the wheelchairs, she immediately started driving it around and even wanted to try it up and down the ramp. It was wonderful to see her excitement. Now that she has a wheelchair, it will be easier for her to move about from one classroom to another.
Help does not end when you are done helping. It loops like a circle that keeps on going around and around. People we help today will sooner or later end up helping others, as well.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | General News |
We move on: Putting those banquet dollars to work right away.
The banquet was great, and the $118,000 that was given was a big encouragement to our staff here in Cebu. The banquet is kind of like a pit stop in a NASCAR race. We pull in for a time, get refreshed and rejuvinated, and then we go back to work.
Thomas was part of that work. On the day of the banquet he went to Manila with one of our nurses and a child care worker. We had been hoping and praying that he could get his nose stents taken out. For the past months since his surgery he has had to endure those stents, which made it impossible for him to be on the floor, where he would have otherwise been able to play and start to move around. He had to be held all the time he was awake, or closely watched in his stroller, so he would not disturb the stents. He had to wear gloves on his hands, which meant he couldn't grasp things or play with toys.
The doctor in Manila ordered an endoscopy, to see if there had been sufficient healing of the posterior nares. It turned out that there had! On Monday the stents were removed and on Tuesday evening he headed back home to CSC.
We have seen changes in Tom! He is smiling more, and loves having his mittens off. He can play with toys and loves to swing them around. He just seems overjoyed with his newfound freedom. And we join in that joy because Tom will have a more normal life now. The stents were very important for his healing, but they are not missed one little bit. Especially by Tom.
Thanks for your continued prayers and concern for this brave little boy. We're already spending that banquet offering money!!
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | General News |
