A Home for Every Child - the Story of White Cross

MANILA, Philippines – Caroline S. Lizares a young first grader wrote, “I planted flowers and roses in my beautiful dream.” Every child has his dream. For those who have no parents they dream of the day when they are united once again to the familiar face that would put them to sleep at night, or wake them up in the morning. They dream of the hugs and kisses that sooth their wounds, or calm their fears. Some realize that they have to find a new face, a new life as they have kissed that long loved face good bye forever. These are the children left without a choice and a dream of being chosen.

Some of those whose life had a harsh and cruel beginning, there are homes for children waiting for those longed for moments. Across the seas, there are couples who dream of having their children so at last they can form a family unit.

A Home for Every Child – the Story of White Cross includes a compilation of fourteen such stories and more. The book includes stories from adoptive parents, from adopted children, from caregivers, and administrators, benefactors and friends. Stories of dreams of flowers and roses planted, of songs of wind and waves hushing the cries of babes.

The book is published by two daughters of the founders of White Cross: Maria Lina Araneta Santiago, publisher and editor, and Maria Victoria Araneta Concepcion, co-publisher. All proceeds of this book is for the benefit of White Cross and is for the use of the general funds of the institution.

The book launch will be held on April 19, 2011 at 10,00a.m. at the White Cross Compound in Santolan Road, San Juan, Metro Manila. This book celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of White Cross.

Amongst the founders of White Cross are Mercedes McMicking, Soledad Zulueta, Mrs. Carl Hess, Conrado Dayrit, Emmanuel J. Dymek, Manuel Mañosa, Teodoro Evangelisa, Vincente Marasigan, Gonzalo Puyat, Paulino Miranda, Paulino Miranda Sampedro, Juan Tuason.

Today and for the past forty one years, Connie Rufino Lopez is President, Maria Victoria Araneta Concepcion, Vice-President and Mila Drilon, Treasurer.

Since its inception White Cross has provided temporary shelter for 6, 389 or placement/adoption. Two hundred sixty three have been adopted and are now living in the following countries: United States, Australia, Philippines, Canada, Italy, France, Spain, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, Finland, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Denmark, Andora, Sweden.

White Cross is for children 0 year 6 years old, although exceptions are granted. No child is ever turned away from White Cross. Nothing is spared to save a child at White Cross. Funds for this come from donations collected for each specific case by lay coordinators.

White Cross does not receive any government aid or foreign funding. Donations come from generous individuals or corporations both locally and from other countries.           

The Administration of White Cross was transferred to lay coordinators headed by Executive Director Mely V. Reluya seven years ago, when after sixty eight continuous years of dedication the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul left to further the vision of their founder in other horizons.

In 1960 when there were three hundred residential children, White Cross opened the St. Louise de Marillac Day Care and Outreach program to take care of the formal education of White Cross Children and those within the community. The St. Louise de Marillac has a five star accreditation rating.

For more information of the book, see white-cross.weebly.com