Output #9: Outreach Program Experience
Verlanie Foundation is an institution founded by a French Social Worker in partnership with Filipinos. They cater children about 17,000, classified according to their needs then distributed in different branches nationwide. The main branch is located at Makati City; mostly the foundations consist of street children and some of them are residential client. Meaning, residential client are the ones who have a family but took care by social worker for a while aiding a child’s problematic experiences. The foundation is also open for adoption program for their children. Everyone can visit their Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/virlaniefoundation (Info: Verlanie Foundation Philippines) the branch we have found is located in Dasmariñas, Cavite. The Verlanie Foundation Inc. Dasmariñas Branch takes care of children with special needs. About 30 children usually came from the streets, had experience a family and may feel more protected. According to Social Worker Head, age ranges from teen to middle ages, 14 or 15 year old child is the youngest.
We had a mini-program for them (for the children), and easy-to-play parlor games. We also do storytelling, praying, and talent showcase together with provided snacks for their tummies, egg sandwich and orange juice. I guess they liked the snacks because some of them asked it for more. They also had name tags on their blue shirt for recognition. After the 1-hour program full of joy and laughter, we provided pancit malabon for additional snack, but the social worker suggested eating their lunch first then consuming it later for afternoon snack.
Out of 30 children, I can say ‘Gem’ is the sweetest and most welcoming attribute among them; though, few of them had already welcomed us and said good morning. Gem is one of the remarkable children inside the house. Once she noticed you, she will start waving at you to caught your attention and look at her. And when you glance at her, your mouth will start to curve happily as she begins to approach you with a pure smile. See the picture above, Gem, I think she’s in 20s, uplifts the restless minds of the team (my group mates) as she offers them a hug, they didn’t know they needed. She may demanded you of taking picture her hugging someone, then later act shy as if somebody taking a stolen picture of her. That doings are on a loop, whenever she found another member of the team to be given a hug, she will encourage you to hug her tightly. Even she mumble inaudible words, I feel connected after all. We didn’t seem to be stranger to her, rather an extended family of her home. And I named her Gem because she’s precious as her smile and valued like her tender embraces.
Lastly but first, of all, these children are blessings. They seem hard to cope with and composed of inevitable tantrums, yet beautiful human beings meant for love and to be loved. They deserve what normal person wants to received. Second, they are normal and not disabled. Maybe some of them are having a hard time of developing than us. But they can contribute change, success and even joy. They have barriers, they can do what you can do even on a slower phase, and at least they do. Everyone should put trust on them, just like they give theirs openhanded. Third and definitely the last, treating nicely would be okay, but treating sincerely is better. Give them a smile, and they pay it back to you, with a life lesson. Invest trust on them, like the way we all want to be trusted. We may never know what those sweet smiles had experienced. Appreciated them, cherish them, love them – this efforts will come back in double sooner or later.