CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – Almost 200 children and youths from SOS Children’s Village benefited from the outreach program conducted by the Association of Regional Executives of the National Agencies (ARENA) in Region 7 on Sept. 23, 2024.
Members of the ARENA-7 brought with them gifts composed of rice, canned goods, milk, biscuits, and other basic needs.
The group also turned over printers and inks and cash donations amounting to P45,000.
“We are here because we would also like to be with these children and house parents as we celebrate today the National Family Day,” said ARENA-7 president and Department of Education (DepEd) regional director Salustiano Jimenez in his opening remarks.
Also present during the gift-giving were the National Economic Development Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Police Commission, and the Philippine Information Agency.
The activity was also done to mark the Regional Development Council (RDC) week celebration on Sept. 23 to 27.
SOS Children’s Village
The SOS Children’s Villages in Cebu was established in 1979 and started taking care of children in 1980.
It is a private, non-political, non-government organization that provides a normal family environment to children who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care.
Educational and medical assistance were also extended in nearby communities.
Currently, there are 79 children at the village and 82 youths living at the youth facility for boys and girls.
These children are provided with their basic needs, such as food, education, and healthcare, along with social, intellectual, physical, personality, and spiritual development.
“SOS is not an acronym, it really means ‘the call for help.’ It is an emergency signal,” said SOS Children’s Village director Mario Victor Baang.
He believes that children should have a home and right now, the village has 11 house parents and three public assistants.
“This is to ensure they are empowered individuals under their care and to make decisions that will help them to have a brighter future,” said Baang.
He thanked the ARENA-7 members who brought goodies for the children.
Baang said the presence of the government officials were more important for the children because it gives them hope and helps encourage them to strive for more.
House parent Nanay Fe, as she is fondly called at the village, has been living at the village for 23 years now.
“Akong pagpuyo diri makaingon ko nga bokasyon gyud cguro nako kay wala man sad koy pamilya kay single man ko,” she said.
(My life here in the village is my vocation because I am single and I don’t have my own family.)
“Ang mga anak nako sa SOS kay gikan gyud na sila sa akong heart sa akong pag atiman nila so para nako nindot kaau akong experience diri sa SOS,” she added.
(I have a wonderful experience living here at SOS because I consider the children here as my children from my heart.) (HFG/PIA7)
