Last week I received an email from the niece of a good friend. She explained to me that she was working on her thesis and that it involved putting on a benefit concert for the children of SOS Village. I have driven by SOS Village many times, but I have never gone in or inquired as to what it is that they do. So when Camille emailed me, I emailed her right back saying that I would love to help them out, on the condition that I could visit SOS with her and her group mates so that they could give me a tour of the facilities and explain to me what exactly SOS does.
Camille and her group partners for the project, Martha and Lord, all study at DLSU and are in their last term of their senior year. Together with the staff of SOS they put together the benefit concert “A Day in the Life of an SOS Child,” which will raise funds for one of the organization who cares for children that are abandoned, orphaned, or at risk.
At risk children are placed in The SOS Children’s Village and given the opportunity to a real family and home life. (Photo Credit SOS)
SOS Village helps these children by providing them a sense of family. The children who come to the not for profit organization located inside Ayala Alabang Village are placed with a care-giving “Mother.” Each Mommy has about ten to twelve children under her care and commits herself to guiding and raising the kids as she would raise her own. The children are given chores, sent to school, and are nurtured to be active members of society.
The children are given roots needed to create a sense of family and security. (Photo Credit SOS Children’s Village)
In fact, some of the children will even be part of the benefit concert on this coming Saturday.
All of the surprise guests have donated their services towards the cause of raising funds for the children of SOS.
I was able to tour the entire village and learned that only 6 of the 8 houses on the property are fully functional. This is due to the lack of funds and house mothers. Most of their operational costs need to be sourced from the private sector, so it is through donations and fundraisers like this concert that SOS can maintain the staff, facilities, and education of the children.
Children are not just cared for…they are nurtured to become contributing members of society. (Photo Credit Derek Clark)
If you are in the south this coming weekend, and would like to meet up for a good cause-stop by SOS Village here in Ayala Alabang. I will be there for the afternoon concert. I look forward to seeing the kids again, and in the process supporting this worthwhile cause. When it comes to children, it’s very hard for me to say no…
You are doing good work Michelle Ann by spreading the word about SOS!
Thanks Dad 🙂 Love you.