Not an Orphanage but a Home

For decades, the SOS Children’s Village has provided more than just shelter for children who needed it but as well as a family they could call their own.

Most people believe the SOS Children’s Village is an orphanage but this is a perception common to those who have never visited the village.

“It’s not an orphanage because we don’t take in children and put them up for adoption.” Explains Marianne May Loquias, an IDS and Communication Co-Worker in SOS. “We take them in and give them a normal family life until such time when they are ready to live on their own.”

Each child undergoes three processes in the Village. The first stage is for Children aged 0-14 years old, where they are given the utmost physical, emotional, intellectual and psychological guidance.

They are given an opportunity to go to school where they can interact with children their age. Most of them are in Our Lady of Fatima Academy, Ford Academy and SPED. They also have scholars in Ateneo de Davao University and Holy Cross of Davao College.

At age 14 until 23, they are slowly being taught to be autonomous and sent outside to live in boarding houses while still being supported by SOS.

The last stage is called Integration, the stage where what used to be helpless children, become fully capable adults. The part where SOS’s guiding hands slowly let them go to become independent individuals.

Meanwhile, in each of the houses found in the Village, there is a “Mother” who lives with the children to teach them, love them and discipline them the way a regular mother does.

Among the Mothers living in the village is Luz B. Lozano who has committed her life in the Consejo House for 4 years. Looking at Luz, so petite and not more than 35 years old, one could not help but feel amazed by her strength and dedication to the children under her wing.

When asked if there was ever a time when she wanted to give up she says, “Yes. Of course. There was a time when I really wanted to leave and go home but I could never do it. I could never leave them.”

It is because of people like Luz that the SOS Children’s Village has produced resilient and well-rounded citizens who thrive in different professions. There are over 540 SOS Villages all over the world, helping out displaced, neglected and orphaned children to have a chance at a good life.

Presently, the SOS Children’s Village is promoting their cause in malls all over the Davao City with their Face to Face Campaign. To help the SOS Children’s Village, you may contact (082) 226 – 3710 or email davao@sosphilippines.org

Joanna Paola Realista Garado