A CHANCE FOR A FAMILY; Three kids talk about life in the SOS Children's Village
* Orphaned either through death or other circumstances, children are given a new family, which to them, is a better one
When Penpen, 13, was only nine years old, her parents separated, thus her grandmother was left to care for her and her brother. After a while, their aunt, a social worker took them.
Leoniva, 11, was left by her mother after her father died. The father of Jig, 15, also died while his mother left for Samar.
The three children have three things in common. First, they were orphaned either through death or other circumstances. Second, they now live in the SOS Children's Village in Zarraga, Iloilo. And third, they are very happy in their new home and with their second family.
Penpen and Jig had been in SOS Children's Village for four years while Leoniva, two. They are among the 116 children and teens in this village. Included are 20 kindergarten level kids.
In small groups, the children are housed in modest abodes made of concrete. Each house has bedrooms, its own bathroom, kitchen, terrace and garden. The houses surround a wide playground where the residents can swing and slide, among others.
Each house has an SOS mother, which the children address as "Mama." Renie Masongsong, the village director is the children's "Papa" while the other volunteers are called "Manong" or "Manang."
The organization also sends them to school at the Sacred Heart Academy in Zarraga. A village educator, Rognita Batogon or "Ging" facilitates their educational development through tutorials, by coordinating with the school in terms of enrolment, tuition and grades. She revealed there are also volunteer teachers helping her out.
Get to know more about Penpen, Leoniva and Jig's life in the SOS Children's Village in this interview.
WHO ARE YOUR 'MOTHERS' AND WHAT HAVE THEY TAUGHT YOU?
PENPEN: Mama Noralyn taught us to do housework. As early as 4 in the morning, we wake up. We cook and wash our clothes. We clean the surroundings. We help our 'siblings' prepare for school. We go to school at the Sacred Heart Academy in Zarraga.
LEONIVA: Mama Sirila taught us the same.
JIG: We do not have a "mama" in the Youth Center, but rather, a youth facilitator.
WOULD YOU RATHER LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE?
PENPEN: No.
LEONIVA: No.
JIG: No. I like living here. They provide us with all our daily needs as well as in school.
JIG, ONE YEAR MORE AND YOU WILL GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL. HAVE YOU PLANNED WHAT COURSE TO TAKE?
JIG: I will study to become a social worker so that I can help other kids.
WHAT ARE YOUR HAPPIEST TIMES IN THIS VILLAGE?
PENPEN: New Year and Christmas. We have celebrations and gifts. We also have the same in school.
LEONIVA: New Year. We give each other food. We get to help our mama in cooking the food.
JIG: The Sportsfest and December. During the Sportsfest, we have so many activities and we were trained in the games. I excel in badminton. Then, there's Christmas during December.
WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE TO OTHER KIDS?
PENPEN: Love your parents. Study well and do not engage in vices. If you have dreams, pursue them. Study hard and work hard in order to attain your dreams and so that your parents' effort of raising you and sending you to school won't go to waste.
LEONIVA: Help others.
JIG: Study harder.