A year ago, Mylde Orbizo’s life crashed— literally. Her father, mother, three brothers, and one sister, house, farm…. everything— was burried by a massive landslide in her bario in Guinsaugon, Southern Leyte. When I met her and her orphaned friends few days after the disaster, they were stunned and in great distress. Their spirits were shaken and future uncertain. Today, they still shed tears every time they remember the great tragedy, but they have moved on. Instead, they are helping others during school vacations. Last Christmas, Mylde and some of the Leyte orphans spent their ten day holiday helping the Mayon super typhoon victims. After school was over last March, they have been helping feed the Mandaue fire victims and volunteering as VBS teachers. This summer they are schedule to conduct VBS in half a dozen places. As I watch them help others and teach kids, I see joy in their faces. They seem to be genuinely happy to be of help to others.

Last week they were assisted and trained by Sunrise Christian College teachers in Arapal Christian Camp. Mai Lagria, a recent graduate of British Bible College assisted them in Mandaue this week. Next week, the teachers of Green Garden Christian School will complete their VBS training. Janice De Mayo, a new SCC graduate in Elementary Education is their summer coordinator. The Owen Foundation and other Christians in America help fund the orphans education. Body and Soul Ministry (BandS) provided the two orphan buildings for their residence at Sunrise. This ministry is a joint effort by many Christians who care.

I was informed by the local government in Leyte that more orphans of the Leyte Disaster, sixteen year old and younger, are in need of sponsors. Three siblings in particular (two girls and one  boy) who lost both of their parents are interested to attend Sunrise Christian College. The officials there have noted that our program is the best among institutions that adopted kids affected by the disaster. Not only do we provide them their physical needs, we also provide them guidance in a safe and secure environment.  If you or someone you know would like to help, please let us know.

In His Service,

Salvador Cariaga (March 07) cariaga@yahoo.com