Come Visit Their Cribs

I find it hard to visualize, growing up parentless. I could say that it is every child's worst nightmare to lose his/her parents. Imagine having to survive in this crazy world without having people to guide and support you. Suffice to say that financial support is essential, the mere presence of a parental figure gives a psychological and emotional security to a child. That is why it is but downright natural for me to sympathize with the little angels of an orphanage.

As we were cruising down the narrow road of M. Dizon going to our destination, I felt a bit enthusiastic although it wasn't my first time visiting an orphanage. It must have been the environment, for I was new to the place. When we arrived, we saw a house that looked liked it was built around the late 60s. It reminded me of my grandparent's house. Just outside the gate, we saw a sign which read "CRIBS" , and then we knew, we were at the right place.

C.R.I.B.S. (Create Responsive Infants By Sharing) is an orphanage, taking care of children, mostly those left by their parents in the hospitals either after giving birth or during a check up. Situated in 30 Major Dizon St., Marikina, they offer many services and programs for these orphans.

Family care services such as their receiving home provide an alternative home which can house up to 25 infants from ages 1 day to 2 Ð... years old. The staff are compassionate, loving and committed professionals, most of which are volunteers, who provide 24 hour care. The services of the program include a holistic health care which aims to attain and maintain the optimum health of each child. Medical services are also provided by a team of nurses and midwives who focus on the early detection and prevention of illness.

The new beginnings home provides a therapeutic environment for the healing of sexually abused females aged 7 to 17 years old. It can accommodate up to 30 girls depending on the number of volunteers and funds in the community. These minors who enroll in the program undergo a 2 year residency. Within this time frame, they experience different phases of healing. This program seeks to address the impact and issues of the enrollee's traumatic experiences.

Placement services are also offered with three auxiliary programs for the future or current families of the children who undergo the major programs