Little by Little- Tahanan

This second quarter of 2022, Tahanan ng Pagmamahal had 38 children whose ages ranged from two (2) months old to eleven (11) years old. They were all provided with individual hygiene kits that included: soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, tissue, facemask and alcohol.

All thirty-eight (38) children were provided with nutrient-dense food consisting of: milk, rice, meat, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables. All the kids’ anthropometric measurements - height, weight, head circumference, body mass index (BMI), body circumferences to assess for adiposity (waist, hip, and limbs) increased; there were obvious visible signs of physical growth and development most especially in their heights and weights.

Twenty-Five (25) children were brought to a nearby hospital for check-up and treatment of minor symptoms such as: colds, vomiting, cough, fever and diarrhea. To boost the immune systems of the children against the said illnesses, they were given their daily multivitamins and extra Vitamin C.

Nineteen (19) older children were given their booster vaccinations for MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) , BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)- vaccine for tuberculosis), IPV (Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine), Penta (Pentavalent vaccine protects against five major diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTP-hepB-Hib)and PCV (protection from pneumococcal diseases including pneumonia and bacterial meningitis). All these vaccination boosters were in partnership with one of the hospitals in the city.

The increasing cases of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the Philippines required stricter implementation health protocols in Tahanan ng Pagmamahal not just among the staff but most especially to the visitors to ensure the health and protection of the children from being infected.

We are truly and deeply grateful for all the help and support you are giving us in ensuring the care, protection and health of the kids of Tahanan ng Pagmamahal. It is heartwarming to know that we are not alone in facing the challenges of providing these children a place where they can safely thrive and grow in love.

This is a report on the medical, health and social updates of the kids in Tahanan ng Pagmamahal for the months of March and April 2022.

Three (3) babies were confined in the emergency room in a hospital near the shelter. However, one of the babies turned out to be critically ill and experienced difficulty in breathing. This child was confined for one week in the Pediatric ICU since her oxygen dropped to critical levels (she was about to be intubated due to her pneumonia – a probable after effect of COVID). She was strictly monitored and underwent various tests: X-ray, 2D Echo, and gastric juice tests. All test results turned out normal. With all the medical intervention and the help of a referred Cardiologist and Infectious Disease Doctor, she fully recovered after two (2) weeks.

She is now healthy, socially and actively interacting with others. She now has her smile back on her face. Responding and communicating well with others when they converse with her; claps when she hears music and sings along when others are singing.

Five (5) other children experienced various COVID-like induced pneumonia symptoms such as: colds, cough and fever. But they too have all fully recovered and have all tested negative in the rapid antigen tests that were done not just on these children but on the staff and houseparents of Tahanan as well.

Thirty-one (31) children who did not get sick were given multivitamins and Vitamin C to boost their immune system. Children from five (5) to eleven (11) years of age were vaccinated against COVID-19.

The quick action and efficient coordination of the staff and house parents with medical health workers were the crucial keys in the recovery and complete healing of the children in the medical challenges that Tahanan faced these two (2) months.

To celebrate Easter Sunday, (April 17, 2022) Eighteen (18) children ages four (4) to eleven (11) years old happily and actively participated in the Easter Egg-hunting activity. This is a milestone for the kids of Tahanan ng Pagmamahal since this is the first social activity where the boys and girls interacted together after being separated due to the varying alert levels and lockdown protocols that were in effect since January 2022.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that we write this report - that your indefatigable support, enabled us to financially give the kids what they medically and nutritionally need. Thank you for your generosity and kindness. God bless you.