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Neglected and abandoned by her father and physically abused by her stepmother, ten year old Renallyn was left to fend for herself. Feeling scared, hopeless and unable to focus on her education, she was in a very bad situation. Renallyn was referred to the Divine Providence Home in Cebu, Philippines, for temporary care and educational assistance. Run by the Sisters of St John the Baptist, the Divine Providence Home is an orphanage for girls who are disadvantaged, living on the streets or orphaned. The Superior, Sister Corazon Riconalla, and the other Sisters help girls in vulnerable situations, like Renallyn, restore hope in life.

The orphanage was built about 15 years ago and contains a chapel, library, clinic, sewing room and bedrooms for the Sisters and the children—all the essentials the Sisters need to provide the children with proper shelter, spiritual support and guidance, health care and assistance with their education.

Weekly catechism classes and Sunday Mass at the local parish is an important part of the children’s ongoing formation. The loving grace of our Lord gives them strength and purpose in their lives.

The facilities and bedrooms at the orphanage are basic, with up to 20 children sharing one small room. But the children do not complain, they are grateful to have a place to stay and to be blessed with the love and care of the Sisters.

All together there are 48 girls living at the orphanage, many of whom have lived there for most of their lives. The children and Sisters live as one family, with the children required to help around the orphanage. Duties include cleaning, gardening and laundry.

Parents and relatives are encouraged to visit the children on the last Sunday of each month to rebuild their relationship. While at the orphanage, the parents/relatives are also involved in catechism classes and responsible parenting sessions.

Our Lady of Divine Providence Home, Cebu

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Freecall: 1800 257 296 catholicmission.org.au

Ongoing communication with parents and relatives, as well as weekly sessions between the children and social workers, helps the Sisters evaluate the children’s family situation and assess if they are able to return home. The Sisters try to reunite the children with their family whenever possible.

The Sisters and social workers also follow-up once a child has returned home to make sure they are not being exposed to abuse or neglect.

Unfortunately the Sisters have been unsuccessful in reuniting Renallyn with her family. She has now been at the orphanage for seven years, and sees it as her home. She has excelled in her studies and is now in her first year of college. Her passion is writing stories, essays, poems and her dream is to one day become a journalist.

The orphanage has a capacity to care for 55 children, with new children accepted every year as places become available. The main objective for the Sisters is to provide long term care to meet the physical and spiritual needs of vulnerable children.

The orphanage relies on support from organisations like Catholic Mission to care for these children and to cover expenses such as food, medicine, education, shelter, ongoing maintenance and repairs. Recent typhoons and an unpredictable climate have resulted in additional pressure on the Sisters with many children suffering from chicken pox, fever and chronic coughing.

A small amount of money goes a long way to help ‘a special someone’ in the Philippines. It costs just over $4 to feed one child for one day at the orphanage.

A "special someone' needs you now.

Our Lady of Divine Providence Home, Cebu (continued)

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