The VFV Supports the Social Development Center for Children

by Jennette T. Fariola

The Social Development Center for Children was inaugurated on May 19, 2006 with the presence of the people who contributed much to its success. The City Government of Tacloban, thru Honorable Alfredo T. Romualdez, the City Mayor, approved the allocation of P3 million for the construction of the residential care; while, the 2,500 square meter lot for the site was donated by the Osoyus family. The center is located at Brgy. 108 Tagpuro, Tacloban City.

The project was conceptualized to address the alarming growth of helpless and homeless street children. ���Actually, this center is a temporary residential facility for therapeutic care to be given to the street children. The children can go back to their family anytime they want to,��� Ms. Liliosa Baltazar, the City Social Welfare and Development Office head and the person who initiated the project, said. ���If they have an ill problem with their family that has been one of the reasons why they won't go home, they can stay with us. We will try and help the kid to overcome the problem until they eventually decide to go back home or visit their family,��� she further added.

The Volunteer for the Visayans contributed a significant part in making the project possible and successful. Mr. Troy Peden and Jason Coppage, the founders of the Volunteer for the Visayans donated for the construction of the mess hall and water system. Eric Pristler of Geneva Switzerland, an international volunteer from the Volunteer for the Visayans did some documentation to help support the fund sourcing. A number of volunteers from the organization also took part in making the project a success: Pascal Paradis, Joyce, James, Khan, Michael, Bida, Noah, Nick and Domenik. VFV volunteers planted gardens including hundreds of pineapples, built and painted furniture, painted walls, and have recently added a mural. The VFV continuously supports the project which has been a part of the program.

With the benefits that they get from the center, the kids now have a home they can call their own. They are also being taught with some of the basic knowledge and skills that can be useful for them. Through the project and the support of kind-hearted people, we hope to see these children have a bright future and a better life ahead.

Some of the facts to help us understand why there is a growing number of street children are: they are victims of circumstances, which is not their choice; these children are below 15 years old; they are those who spend their time on the streets; they are neglected by their parents; they are burdened with responsibilities of helping their parents and earn money for them; and they are abandoned by their parents. Because of these situations, this children become a problem of the community. They are pushed to work for survival; they become engaged in different activities like sniffing of rugby, pick pocketing, and snatching; and the others are being exposed to sexual abuse, prostitution, drugs, and violence.