DSWD Assistant Director for Administration, Marlene L. Kahano delivers her welcome talk. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, in a groufiemshoot, with the kids. Tingog Sinirangan Party List 2nd nominee, Philip Jude Acidre exchanges “hellos” with Mabel Manalac (of Tingog), Cabinet Secretary Nograles and Project Dir., Sister Carmela Cabactulan.
“Our hope enabled us to survive, to keep on fighting, to rebuild and to be better. It is this hope that allows us to remember those who have fallen and to live everyday in grateful reverence to the gift of life that God gave us. It is this hope that enables us to refuse to give up. Out of the ruins of super typhoon Yolanda, we have rebuilt, we have prospered , but we have not forgotten the experience and most importantly, we do not give up and we did not lost hope.” These were the words of DSWD Assistant Regional Director Marlene Kahano during a visit today, November 8, 2019, with visiting Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles and the Tingog Sinirangan Party List thru representative Philip Jude Acidre, to the Mother of Hope Children’s Center located inside the Holy Infant College Campus at Youngfield in Tacloban City.
Cabinet Secretary Nograles gave the inspirational message during the gathering and said he is happy that the kids have returned to school and still go to the Center on weekends, for some activities that help develop their well-being. He also reminded the children of this month’s observance of the National Children’s Month and told them to be aware one of their rights which is EDUCATION.
Meanwhile, Acidre stated that “many years after Yolanda, we have been gaining more friends. We will also remember them with gratefulness,” referring to their support.
DSWD Field Office VIII under Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan, led the said Meet and Greet activity for the 64 former streetchildren, aged six to 15 years old, who are being supported by the Mother of Hope Children Center.
Project Director, Sister Carmela Cabactulan said that the Congregation of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Infant College begun a partnership with Caritas Germany, shortly after super typhoon Yolanda, thru the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the school and other facilities. It, then led to the birth of another project – the Mother of Hope Children’s Center.
In her talk, she expressed that “we are lucky to be instruments to reach out the poor.” She also thanked the generosity of the people towards the project, which the Director claimed, is named after the Patroness of Disasters, Mother of Hope.#