Archdiocese opens center for street kids

CEBU, Philippines — A center built by the Archdiocese of Cebu to take care of the street children opened its door yesterday.

The Abtanan sa Kaluoy (Oasis of Mercy) was inaugurated by Archbishop Jose Palma. It is an activity center that will allow street children to bathe, eat, learn, and also address their medical and dental needs.

Also present during the inauguration was Bishop Carlo Bresciani, representing the Italian Bishops Conference which funded the construction of the building, and Bishop Dennis Villarojo, the executive director of the International Eucharistic Congress.

The center was built as a result of the successful hosting of Cebu of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in 2016.

The project was suggested by Maria Georgia “Maggie” Cogtas, who grew up on the streets and is now working as program coordinator of Dilaab Foundation.

“Can we turn our parishes, where children can possibly bathe, eat and study. The church is the closest place where they could see God, but it is also the place where they could see their dreams,” Maggie said in her speech during the congress.

“I will not say that I was a street child, before, but rather a scavenger,” she added.

Maggie said she had an absentee father, her mother worked in Manila and they didn’t have contact with so she and her sibling were left to fend for themselves.

Fortunately, her older sister was able to find a job after she quit her studies to be able to provide the needs of their family.

“My sister was a good provider,” Cogtas said.

Thanks to her sister, Cogtas was able to graduate AB Psychology in 2015.

The Abtanan sa Kaluoy is accepting volunteers and sponsorships for their daily feeding programs. The center may be reached through 0926-2622-017 or email at [email protected]. Micole Gerard J. Tizon (FREEMAN)