With the first half of 2013 well behind us, we would like to thank you for all your generous donations received from the end of 2012 up until now.
Within the first half of this year alone, we have had the pleasured visit of both Josephine and Rian, who are two therapists from the Hartekamp. They have been sharing their knowledge with the orphanage’s staff for several years now. Their care, schooling and aid are targeted towards the children with “special needs”. Otherwise said, children who are challenged in different fields such as their physical and/or mental abilities, including sometimes even fine motor skills and autism.
Rian who is a nutritionist, has managed to initiate specific diets for numerous children who are severely handicapped so that they can now eat healthier and gain weight.
As you read this, special chairs are being made in Lubao for the physically and mentally challenged children.
We are also happy to announce that we have begun our project for the older children, with milder cases of special needs, to become honorable and independent members of society. They are in charge of making leather bracelets and covers for mobile telephones (please refer to photos on website). The goal behind this project is to help teach these children how to manage their own lives all by themselves, (even though they are closely watched over by staff). To facilitate their labor, they have been given their very own rooms purposely located close to their working place. Beds have been sent to them and we pay cover all the costs necessary for their rent. We would also like you to know that they have already received their very first salaries for their jobs “well done”.
It is of the upmost importance that we find ways to help keep these children busy. One newly found solution was made in collaboration with Reinlide, who for example, sells baby items that have been made by our special needs children via her website LIEVEDOTJES. If any of you have any other ideas to help these children become independent members of our society, please be so kind as to share them with us.
Quinten is planning on visiting us within the second half of this year. During his stay, he will organize several workshops based on the stimulation of senses and how to put together a daily schedule for the children at both the Amor Village and the Home for Girls in Tarlac.
A physiotherapist named Ger Lak is also coming in November. He is specialized in working with handicapped children. He will be working closely with the latter as well as the staff, demonstrating special techniques on how to physically handle these children in various contexts, from their daily requirements to their showers.
The schooling and support that we have been financing by these specialists in Holland have been nothing short of a blessing, not to mention a necessity, to help improve the care for the special needs children as well as in spreading the knowledge to the staff here in the Philippines.
We would therefore like to sincerely thank Quinten, Josephine en Rian who have been voluntarily returning year after year to devote their time to these children and projects without financial compensation.
In addition to all this, we have outstanding plans to further develop the before mentioned program concerning the workshop.