Philippines

The Philippines

Few countries in the world are so rich and varied in nature as the Philippines which consist of 7,107 islands. There are no less than 80 languages and dialects spoken in the islands. The Philippine Islands are located in the so-called tropical climate, characterized by high temperatures the whole year round, relatively high rainfall and lush vegetation. This area is also part of the typhoon belt and is visited yearly by approximately 22 typhoons.

In 2009, the total population of the Philippines was estimated at 91 million. The dominant religion is Roman Catholicism which accounts for about 84 percent of the population, Muslims for about 4 percent, and approximately 10 percent is Protestant. The largest island is the main island Luzon, followed in size by Mindanao, Samar and Negros.

Although Samar is the third largest island of the Philippines, it has not attracted many visitors or commerce in the centuries since Magellan's discovery of the island. That is one of the reasons why the economic situation and the living conditions of the people are so deplorable. The needs there are certainly great, and help is desperately needed.

"Omega Happy Homes" in Calbayog City, Western Samar

The three temporary buildings

(from left to right) are the girls dormitory, kitchen/dining area, and boys dormitory

In 1999, the Omega Foundation decided to operate an orphanage in Calbayog City, and a non-profit organization was established. The goal was to obtain official licensing as a child care provider.

In 2000, a beautifully situated piece of property was purchased on which to build a new orphanage. Some of the wonderful aspects of this particular property are that it is located near a paved road and that an elementary school is very near. Though picturesque, one challenge of the property was that it rested alongside a mountain, which meant that there was much work to be done to level the construction area.

Fortunately, many of the neighboring youth pitched in to meet the challenge of clearing and leveling the construction area. This toilsome work had to be done by hand as there was no access to the funds or machinery that could quickly complete such a task. With the help of many volunteers, the work was completed. Three temporary structures of bamboo, plywood and thatch were erected to house the children and accommodate daily eating and study needs. These three temporary buildings served us well as a children's home over the next few years. However, in order to be granted official licensing by the government, a permanent facility was required.

We were able to raise the funds to construct such a building,

and the dedication of the new 'Omega Happy Homes' took place on December 12, 2004.

Today, the home houses the children and serves as the base for a number of outreaches in the community.

Dedication of the new "Omega Happy Homes"

Supplemental Feeding Program

Children gathered

at one of the feeding stations

Shortly after the children's home was established in Calbayog City, we introduced the supplemental feeding program. It is designed to help families in this poverty stricken area by feeding their children nutritious meals at regular intervals without making them totally dependent on us.

The mothers are invited to help with the food preparation and are taught how to prepare healthy meals for their families. In addition, the mothers receive instruction in personal hygiene and basic health care.

Operation 'Survival Pak'

Omega Foundation started the operation 'survival-pak' at Easter 2000 in Calbayog City where hundreds of needy families and street children literally fight for their survival. Children can be seen begging in the streets or desperately searching through the city's garbage dumps for food or anything of value which they may be able to sell.

With the help of doctors and health care workers in the Philippines, we have prepared a 'survival-pak' which is tailor made for malnourished children in the Philippines. In many cases, their weakened body can no longer digest regular food.

Each 'survival-pak' contains enough nourishing food for a small child for 30 days, and the cost is only $15.00 for each package. After 30 days, most of these children's health has improved to the point where they can again eat normal food.

Malnourished girl

with her survival-pak

Mothers and their children

after receiving their survival-pak

Cleft-lip surgeries for children

This is one project of the Omega Foundation in the Philippines. The first two of these life-transforming surgeries took place in November 2004.

Cleft-lips are common in this area and children with the cleft-lips are ridiculed and considered outcasts. A simple surgery, which takes less than one hour, can correct this deformity and give the child a bright future. At this time, we have to pay for the surgery, the hospital room and the medical supplies. The cost is $300.00 per surgery. However, we hope and pray that sometime in the near future, we may find a doctor and nurses who will volunteer their time for this medical mission project.

Maria

before and after surgery

Orphanage takes first step to becoming self-supporting

Omega's children's home in the Philippines, the "Omega Happy Homes" has been totally dependent on our financial support and we have tried to find ways to help them become self-supporting.

Since rice is a staple in the Philippines, and the home uses a lot of rice, we decided to buy a rice field for the Omega Happy Homes. Thanks to the tropical weather, they can have two rice harvest per year. That means that they will have enough rice for the needs of the home and the feeding programs in the community as well as a surplus which they can sell in the market. This will reduce their dependence on us and generate funds for the operation of the home.

By earning part of their own support, the staff and children will gain a sense of pride. It will also give them a sense of stability and hope for a better future.