Philippine Trip 2007 part 1

Keith Hinkle, Holston Home's adoption director & I left Knoxville at 10:15 AM for our journey. After a plane change and brief layover, we left Chicago for Seoul. We arrived in Seoul and after some confusing instructions, I went through customs to leave the “secure” area of the airport to meet my Uncle Ron for supper. Ron is currently working for the Army/4H in Seoul. He just moved there in July. After being adventurous on the plane flight taking the Korean meal, I opted for safe KFC. I enjoyed the visit with Ron, he is going to fly down to Manila and spend more time with me on Saturday night & Sunday.

We arrived in Cebu local time 12:20 AM Friday the 14^th. So most of you were eating lunch on Thursday. Total travel time just over 26 hours. Since the Philippines don’t do Daylight Savings Time, it is a 12 hour difference. I am glad because the 13 hour difference gave me trouble sometimes.

After getting a little sleep, Keith & I were met by Mitch Ohlendorf, the Executive Director of the Children’s Shelter of Cebu. Mitch navigated the busy streets of Cebu for us. The campus of the Children’s Shelter is very impressive. They have two houses that hold over 30 youth. The 5 upstairs bedrooms hold up to 6 youth. The nursery is down stairs. They CSC specialize in providing a place to keep siblings together. They currently have a sibling group of 7 and sibling group of 9. The group of 9 ranges from just under 2 to almost 15. They even have two sets of twins. Here is one set pictured below.
During the busy times of the day, the staff ratio is about 1-4. They reduce that staff ratio after hours. Mitch talked very openly about the challenges that come with working with that many kids who have experienced more of life than they should have experienced. He also talked about because of his openness with agencies and families some youth haven’t been adopted but others have had more successful adoptions because that information was shared.

Their school is very impressive. CSC has the good fortune to have good support. About 95% of their support comes through their foundation. The school is currently in its 10^th school year. The school has a library, a music teacher, a therapy room for the staff occupational therapist & physical therapist to do their work. They group the children based on where they are in the learning process. They currently have a 12 year old in with a group of 7 or 8 year olds because he had not attended school prior to coming to the shelter. They expect him to be in an older class very soon as he is learning quickly.

Things at the CSC are exciting. They are in the process of building a another cottage and a medical clinic.

Tomorrow we will visit Asilo dela Medalla Milagrosa, a Catholic run orphanage and the RSCC, the state run orphanage before we fly to Manilla.