Surely this was the handiwork of the Almighty.
There’s this old adage about one man’s problem becoming another man’s fortune and never was this truism better demonstrated when a crumbling child development center for street kids that was received a timely gift from heaven that bailed them out of a crisis.
Unveiling of Marker (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
Last Saturday, 19 September 2015, the Mother Theresa Foundation Inc. (MFTI) Child Development Center & Home for Street Children officially received from the Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (MOFCCCII) the refurbished dining hall, kitchen and comfort rooms on the occasion of MFTI’s 20th anniversary.
“The greatest gift you have given us is the refurbished dining hall, kitchen and comfortable comfort rooms, which were the top 3 of our top 10 priorities,” a grateful Mrs. Norma D. Noble, MFTI president, said during the ceremonial turnover and blessing held last weekend.
Refurbished comfort rooms (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
“You came in during our time of greatest need and crisis which you turned to a great opportunity for MOFCCCII .Our children are very happy there is someone concerned for them. These children cannot return to you the blessings you have given to them, except God who will give you back a thousand, or a million-fold even,” she added.
“When we first came here, the kitchen was dilapidated that when they were cooking pancit during the rainy season, it would often end up as lomi because of the holes in the roof,” said MOFCCCII auditor Jessie Co, who acted as Master of Ceremonies during the turnover.
No more lomi when cooking pansit at the rehabilitated kitchen. (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
Rusty Quintana, one of the first batch of street kids sheltered in the center, shared how during his time with the center, kids would simply jump over the wall to do their business in the bushes instead of using the run-down comfort rooms.
This PhP 0.6-million rehab is the first major project marking the 30th anniversary of MOFCCCII which began July 1, 2015 and ends on June 30, 2016. The project is the offshoot of the Memorandum of Agreement signed by MOFCCCII and MFTI last June 27, 2015.
“This project signals the beginning of more projects to highlight the 30th year of existence of MOFCCCII which begins on July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016,” said Mrs. Adelfa Sia, incoming MOFCCCII president, who spoke in behalf of the chamber during the turnover.
Also present for MOFCCCII were president Greg Marten Lao, immediate past president Lucio Tan, , 1st VP/Dir. Simon Ching, Chinese secretary Ricky Go, treasurer Dolly Siao Ong, asst. treasurer Rosa Sia, past presidents See Hong, Jose Un Jr., Johnny Lim and Robert Ching, , Sonny Choi, Peter Lim, and teachers from Kong Hua School.
Children of Mother Theresa Foundation Child Development Center-Home for Street Children (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
MOFCCCII was founded Aug. 26, 1986 by the “Young Turks” of the Filipino-Chinese community in Cagayan de Oro at the time including Steve Gaisano, Albino Limketkai, See Hong, Frank Rolida, Ang Chi Sin, Jose Un, Jimmy Ting, and Johnny Lim, among others. Gaisano was elected as charter president with no less than the late President Cory Aquino inducting them into office.
MTFI is a non-profit charitable organization that is dedicated to providing care, assistance, and other basic needs to children who have taken to the streets, are abandoned, or are underprivileged.
Registered as a non-stock, non-profit organization with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 9, 1995, its original incorporators included the late Anita G. Magtajas, Generosita M. Chaves, Filomena P. Hojas, Leopoldo M. Velez and current MFTI president Norma D. Noble.
Originally located in Barangay 31, Santo Niño, Cogon, Cagayan de Oro, the Child Development Center – Home for Street Children has transferred to its new location at Maitum, Upper Puerto.
Fr. Roberto V. Fabillo, LRMS, Kong Hua High School Principal, blesses the refurbished dining hall. (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
Fifteen years ago, the foundation was granted use of the five hectare property by the city government for 25 years with a three story building donated by donors from the U.S.
Earlier this year, the center was the beneficiary of a city council ordinance appropriating PhP 200,000.00 that unfortunately, is not enough to support the needs of its wards.
The Mother Theresa Foundation’s biggest philanthropy is the orphanage that is home to more or less 60 street children.
It is open to street children aged 7 to 17 years old who have been living and/or working in the streets.
The center welcomes children who are no longer with their families, and even those who are still in contact with their families but prefer to roam the streets. Children taken into custody by the police, LGUs, and concerned individuals and organizations are also referred to the MTFI.
MFTI provides five basic services for its wards: social services, residential and custodial care, group living services, health care, spiritual enrichment, and proper education.
Smiling faces at Mother Theresa Foundation Home for Street Children (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
MTFI also extends its services to the children in the surrounding communities. The organization solicits the cooperation of parents for treatment and rehabilitation of children who are most in need of them. MTFI is also willing to provide intervention for parents and children in need of the organization’s assistance.
In sharing his experience with MFTI during the turnover, former ward Rusty Quintana, who was recently graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (DevCom) at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan) as a full scholar of the Henry Howard Scholarship Program, disclosed he is now working on a video documentary to share the Mother Theresa experience to a wider audience.
Former MTFI ward Rusty Quintana with Mrs. Dolly Siao Ong, Fr. Roberto V. Fabillo and Rosa Sia. (photo by Mike Baños, NPN)
“As one of their kuya, I would like to give back to MFTI what I learned such as values formation and the fear of God,” he said. “I am very happy with what I have learned from good people I have met and inspired me. I was given a home and a scholarship through MFTI so I need to give back also.”
“Mga bata, mag tuon mag eskwela gayud, isip pasalamat sa mga nagpakabana sa atoa, “ he advised the children in the vernacular. “Thank you to MOFCCCII for helping our center. Hopefully this will be the start of a continued relationship with MFTI because these children really need your help.”
-INDNJC-