Ten more Leyte orphans added to Sunrise Orphan Home.
Ten more Leyte orphans, ages 14-17, have asked to be added to the orphanage at Sunrise Christian College. Most of them are victims of the Leyte disaster last year. Among them are sisters Lisa and Mercy Naparota. I met Mercy, age 15, last year. At that time, she was not ready to leave their place yet having recently lost their home and parents. After hearing more about Sunrise from her fellow orphan friends who moved to Sunrise last year, she and her sister asked to be taken to Butuan with them this time. A younger brother in Manila might join them so that they will all be together. That will bring the total number of 22 orphans under our care.
Two of the non-landslide Leyte orphans are Margie, 14, and Myra, 16. They are the younger sisters of Mary Joy Tanio whose parents were brutally murdered by a drunken neighbor in front of Joy. Early this week, the other Leyte orphans and I attended the murder trial last week to show her our support. The lawyer of the accused, his close relative, was recently elected as the town mayor. The Tanio’s feared that the case may not prosper because the other side belong to a prominent and powerful family. During the court hearing, the accused was not hand cuffed and was free to roam around the court house with out any guard near him. I promised the family I will do what I can to help. I talked to the government appointed counsel and had a meeting with a city council member about it. We plan to send an independent lawyer to attend the court hearings.
Sunrise Orphan Home is in the process of being a legal institution with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines. A permit his being processed and local board candidates are being asked to oversee the home. It now has a building for the boys and another one for the girls. We hope to add more facilities for younger orphans with in the campus so that orphans’ education and residence will all be in one place and in a Christian environment.
Salvador Cariaga
May 27, 2007
ps. Body and Soul Ministry (BandS) donated the two orphan buildings (Guinsaugon and Leyte Building) for the kids to have a functional place of their own. BandS founder, Dr. John Bailey recently lost a grandson in a vehicular accident in Texas. Four family members were also injured. Connor Brown’s funeral will be held on June 4 in Midland, Texas. Please include the Brown and the Bailey families in your prayers.
Old Photos:
http://philippinechurchesofchrist.org/leytedisaster/main.htm
http://philippinechurchesofchrist.org/leytedisaster/personalreport.htm
