There were 17 of them aged 0-2 years old in the "infants and toddlers' room". Two babies share one crib for there were only a few cribs available. Some were asleep, the others were awake and crying, announcing that it was time to feed them; and a few were comfortably playing on the rubber-matted floor... unmindful of the constant flow of visitors. This is their moment to receive more gifts, toys, candies, clothes, medicines, and whatever is included in their wish list, because they are given special attention in this particular time of the year- the Christmas season.
When we visited today an orphanage in Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet; my son, who is 14 years old and who practically understood what he was witnessing whispered to me, "sobrang stressful naman dito" (it's very stressful here). And as we went near a crib, a toddler got up and clung to his jacket... with sorrowful looking eyes, and snot-smeared face, the child was begging to be cuddled. Maybe touched by the child's pityful state, my son carried him... perhaps to provide comfort however short-lived.
The orphanage is being maintained by the government's social welfare agency. All 34 orphans were classified into two, the infants and toddlers ( 0-2 y/o), and the school age group (3-10 y/o). Though this is already our second time to visit, today is more special because we brought along my husband's 4 y/o half-brother, Mark and my husband's sister's 9 y/o daughter, Lois. We gave used clothings and shoes, toys and books. The kids interacted and played with the orphans, and we toured the establishment and learned how these unfortunate children were being sustained.
I purposely made the exposure to my children for them to learn the virtue of sharing, to imbibe appreciation of blessings and to make them aware of their social responsibilities. At their young age, it is best to teach them virtues that will shape them to become good Christians and good citizens when they've grown...virtues that they may pass on to their future children so that the coming generation may have a better world to live in.
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3 comments:
very touching.. hope more people were as giving as your family...
thanks. when you visit social welfare institutions like an orphanage, you'd realize and be amazed that there are a lot of kind-hearted families doing the same ...
We wish all families will do the same. Your 14 y/o son was very kind hearted to carry an orphan to comfort him/her. God bless you and your family always. c",)
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