2009 Year-end Ministry Report Home of Joy Ministry

1. Served 54 children
   • Residential Care Program (orphanage) – 34 children
   • Foster Care Program – 6 children
   • Child Sponsorship Program or CSP (community based in partnership with local churches – 12 children
   • Independent Living Program – 1 child
   • Community outreach – 1 child
2. Majority of the children admitted at the orphanage were sickly and malnourished. This year there were seven children who were admitted with same health condition but after few weeks of stay, their health improved. They became lively, healthy, gained normal weight, and changes are evident in their happy faces.
3. Even with limited funds for the Foster Care Program, the Home was able to provide a monthly allowance and other supplies needed by six foster children for their basic educational, medical and dental needs while under the care of committed and licensed foster families.
4. Three students – 1 from the orphanage and 2 from CSP graduated from high school.
5. Fourteen (14) children from the orphanage were enrolled for SY 2009 to 2010 in various levels at Jabez Christian School – 1 is college and 1 in high school, 9 in Nursery/Kinder/Preparatory, 1 in elementary and 3 in Special Education.
6. The Sports Fest/Mini-Olympics held April 1 at Jabez Campsite was joyful, fruitful and successful. Eighty one (81) attended this activity composed of children from the 3 programs of Home of Joy, foster parents, partner churches and Home of Joy staff and volunteers. It was sponsored by Jolibee South Luzon Area which also facilitated the games where even the little children were able to participate. Jolibee is one of the biggest family food chains and has many branches all over the country.
7. There are seven children who are candidates for adoption (local and foreign) and their papers are already with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), a government agency processing the papers of the 7 children for submission to Inter-Country Adoption Board (Board). This process (which might take 3 to 6 months) includes the local matching of the children to their adoptive parents who will give them permanent homes and a good future. If the process goes smoothly, the 7 children could be adopted by the middle of year 2010.
8. Dorcas (with special need and have been with the Home of Joy since 4 years old) has celebrated her 18th birthday last August. She received flowers, candles and birthday wishes from the children and staff of the Home. Like a normal debutante, she experienced and enjoyed the dance with her kuyas (big brothers at the orphanage). This made her very happy, making her wish come true.
9. The Home is very proud of Marissa Kline Gonzales who wrote a book, “A True Story, Orphaned, Fostered and Adopted” plus 9 advices on adopting and fostering a child. Marissa was admitted at the Home of Joy at the age of 8 and was adopted, together with her sister Crisanta Kline Cooper in 1989. She is now 29 years old, married and working as a flight attendant in a local US airline.
10. Under the Child Sponsorship Program of the Home of Joy (done in partnership with local churches), 12 children and youths are helped in their elementary and high school studies. Those who have been helped by this program not only had a changed life but have a better future. One of these is Jerk Amante who testifies: "I came to know CGM-Home of Joy when I was just a fifth grader. Since my father does not earn that much income for a family of four children, the scholarship program of CGM proved to be a substantial help to assist me in my primary and secondary schooling. I praise and thank God for those five years of using CGM to bless me as its sponsored child. I am now a Geodetic Engineer teaching at the university where I graduated."
11. Raffy (18 years old from the orphanage) was able to get a part-time job in the daytime and still continues his studies at night. He is currently taking Automotive Engineering and has one more year before he graduates.
12. There were children at the orphanage who were sick and hospitalized due to symptoms of AHINI virus and major illnesses like Dengue and Pneumonia. But by the grace of God, they got well and fully recovered. We praise and thank God for His faithfulness in providing partners, donors and individuals whom He uses to help the Home provide the needed financial needs for the hospitalization and medicines of the children.