Little by Little- Tahanan

It was at the height of the of the COVID-19 General Community Quarantine where some establishments, small clinics and diagnostic centers are still on lockdown when a baby was left alone with different strangers in the neighborhood without milk and, deprived of care by her mother.  That Baby was Mariz who is only weeks old at that time.

Baby Mariz was neglected by her biological mother who is a survivor of abuse and person with disability, a deaf and mute.  

The only relative she has is her grandmother who is also a deaf and mute, and undergoes treatment for Pulmonary Tuberculosis, and earns a living as a laundress. Baby Mariz grandmother sought help from the Municipal Social Welfare Office. In the absence of available facility and services in their locality about 50 miles away from Metro Manila, Philippines, Baby Mariz is only one month old when she was referred to Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children’s Home. Tahanan provided to her the attachment, emotional needs, safety and comfort she needed as a baby. 

Baby Mariz was referred immediately to a Pediatrician surgeon due to Umbilical Granuloma that it healed naturally by just cleaning with 70% alcohol after a month. Baby Mariz has problem with her left ear and not producing sounds. She undergone several tests and completed the auditory test assisted and facilitated by the Center Nurse and Social Worker.

Baby Mariz now is physically healthy and lovable. As of now, Mariz can hear and reacts now sounds which is a good indicator of her growth and development as a child. 

Baby Mariz is just one among the 48 children of Tahanan ng Pagmamahal provided with Vit. C, improved their health and maintain their nutritional status.

Together we can save the lives and ensure the future of our children.

As COVID- 19 pandemic continues to spread, the future is so unpredictable. These are challenging times for all of us.  Regardless of the pandemic several children are in need of help for them to survive.

Shane, 1 year and 5 month old and her brother Carlo, 4 years and 8 months old is product of broken family and living in the bridge. The pandemic worsens their situation when their mother lost her job and emotionally deal with the abandonment of her common-law husband.  Carlo experienced physically abused by their biological mother.  This led the authorities to rescue the children to prevent further abuse since playing under the bridge and sidewalks, allegedly begging for food hampers their growth and development. They are also vulnerable and susceptible to any illnesses.

Prior to the referral of the two siblings at Tahanan ng Pagmamahal they were temporary sheltered in a mixed category of wards and older youth for about a month. Unfortunately, Shane was infected with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) without the knowledge of the caregivers since she is asymptomatic. While the child is undergoing recovery, it was assessed that Shane and her brother are in need of special attention, love and care for them to enjoy their basic rights for shelter, clothing, medical needs.

Hence, on September 10, 2020 both of them were referred to Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children’s Home, Inc.

While in Tahanan the children were provided with love, care and all their basic needs including immunization, vitamins, proper nutrition to boost their immune system. Both of them became healthier, happy and enjoyed playing with other children and protected from any form of abuse.

There is no joy that can equal the happiness in helping children seeing them actively smiling in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic. Together we stand; we can make a difference in this wonderful world even in the most difficult times