SOS Children's Village

SOS Children’s Village in Alabang was the ideal venue for the third quarterly forum of Family Network (Famnet).  Three public affairs missionaries, Sis. Farnsworth and along with Roger and I, attended the forum as representatives for the church. We were told that SOS CV was an orphanage and this peaked their interest as each of their families had been involved in adopting children.
This orphanage was definitely different than they thought it would be as they found that children are never adopted from the village.  It is the last place they come before they enter the world and start careers and families of their own.  This is a place that caters to abandoned or orphaned children who often have siblings. Children are brought here so they can remain together and learn how to grow and function within a family.

This is a family strengthening program where 350 “mothers” head up households that are broken up into “families” of about 9 children. Each “family” lives in a small home where the mother cooks and cares for the children who feel protected and loved. This system allows siblings and family groups to remain intact. SOS believes that every child deserves a living parent and brothers and sisters.  They deserve a home in a village, which is a part of the community or barangay.

Sis. DuPaix and Sis. Farnsworth, posing with a "Mom" and some of her daughters.

This system allows siblings and family groups to remain intact. SOS believes that every child deserves a living parent and brothers and sisters.  They deserve a home in a village, which is a part of the community or barangay.

Just outside the home was a playground where two little girls were playing on the slide.  They were so cute as they interacted as “sisters”, whether by birth, or by being brought together in their wonderful SOS Village home.

Elder DuPaix with the family outside of their home.

Elder and Sis. DuPaix at SOS Children's Village.

We wrote an article for mormonnewsroom.ph about this experience and the article 

was also published in the AWCP magazine, "Inklings".

Thanksgiving 2012 - two days late!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!
We had our dinner the Saturday
 after Thanksgiving.
 We even got Elder Hardick,
 our Canadian connection, to

carve the turkey!!! 
Elder Bailey got a hand in on that, too!

We Sisters did our best to help, too! We did potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie!

Sis. DuPaix, Sis. Hadlock, Sis. French, and Sis. Bailey!

What a feast! Some of the young Elders were especially excited to be invited!

Looks pretty normal, right? We told everyone to bring their favorite Thanksgiving food.  

I was just a little surprised to see the chips! The homemade salsa was killer, though!!!

Now, we really told Pres. DeLaMare that he didn't have to serve us but he wouldn't listen!

Welcome Elder and Sis. Bailey - Happy Birthday, Haidi

Welcome to Sis. Clair Bailey and Elder Lynn Bailey! 

Very tired but very happy to be here!!

The Bailey's and the DuPaix's - The new companionships for Public Affiars!

Showing the Bailey's the ropes! Roger with the Bailey's!

Our apt on the right! 

The Bailey's and Edie in front of the driving range.

 I think drivers here need more practice!!!

A welcome to the Philippines Party at the Hadlocks!

 Roger, Elder Bailey, and Elder Hardick!

And the Sisters!!!  DuPaix, Bailey, Hardick, French, and Hadlock!!!

Elder and Sis. DuPaix

The Bailey's first Sunday! headed to Malaya!

Grateful for the AP's showing them the way!

It was a big week! Haidi's birthday came next! In the Philippines, 

the birthday girl (or boy) supply the lunch or at least the treats!  We got both! 

Oh, mango cake! Dripping with choclate!

We got Haidi a cute wooden tray and a candy dish!  We hope she keeps them loaded!

Pancit, lumpia and chicken pies! We even made her an Aunt Betty's Birthday Cake, 

Gluten Free!  I had to make sure I got some goodies, too!!!

Happy Birthday, Haidi! You are a great director!

The National Cemetery

 The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is 152 acre area with the graves of 

American and Filipino Soldiers who died in World War II. It is the largest cemetery in 

number of graves plus the names of those missing in action are also carved in the walls

 of the memorial.The chapel is just behind Roger

The history of the different battles are detailed in mosaic rocks and tiles.

We met a group of young men from Australia. They are here in the Philippines 

to give service - maybe to help build homes and to do some touring. 

They go to a private school at home.

The grounds of the Cemetery are beautifully manicured and kept up. It gives you pause 

to think of all the young men who gave their lives for freedom's cause.

We enjoyed spending the day with Elder and Sis. Bailey.  It is amazing that this 

beautiful memorial is surrounded by high rise buildings!

All of the state seals in engraved in the walkways around the memorial. 

This is the Utah State Seal.