This Orphanage is located in Pampanga, a 1 1/2 hour car ride from Metro Manila. The Province of Pampanga is known as the former site of the American Air Force Base in the Pacific, Clark Field in Angeles, Pampanga.
The orphanage is home to 80 very special children who are either mentally handicapped, paraplegic or victims of polio. 30% of the orphans are mentally disabled.
There is a lack of funding and the facility is under staffed. There are not enough beds, mattresses, pillows, blankets, linen, diapers, food and milk. Washing machines are overused since children, especially the mentally disabled children, defecate and urinate without any control. Some of the male children sleep in cottages with wooden beds, without pillows and blankets, and without electric fans. Diapers are in short supply. Food and milk is insufficient. Children are thin and lack proper nutrition.
The Little House of the Nazareth does not refuse children, especially if they are abandoned and mentally disabled. The policy of the Head Social Worker is that the abandoned children must not stay in the streets and that they will provide a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs.
There is not enough money in the budget as there are too many children in the center. The Department of Social Welfare and Department (DSWD) supervises this institution and it is run by the Diocese of Pampanga. Aside from the meager government budget, the center relies on Good Samaritans to help maintain the center. |