Jeloxen Canalita: Sharing Parental Love

Mommy Jelox tells former street-dwelling children at
ROS that the Lord has a better plan for them. 

“I want to let the children feel a parent’s love,” Jeloxen Canalita, young houseparent at the Visions of Hope Rose of Sharon House of Friendship (ROS) tearfully explains. “Having grown up as an orphan, I never experienced that myself.”

Jeloxen, “Mommy Jelox” to the children, has served at ROS for a total of two years – the longest-staying among the ROS houseparents. Only 22 years old this year, she started her houseparent duties in 2010 but left after a year to pursue an education degree while also serving as a teaching assistant at Visions of Hope Christian School (VOHCS) in Muntinlupa City. She returned to ROS in 2013.

Jeloxen hails from Zamboanga del Sur and grew up under her aunt’s care. Her aunt, who worked for Dr. Pan Callanta, one of Center of Community Transformation’s (CCT) doctors, encouraged her to avail of a CCT scholarship for a welding and construction course. When Jeloxen finished, she attended training on the BLESS (Basic Life Empowerment and Support System) curriculum of VOHCS. Then, a work opportunity opened up for her in ROS in Puypuy, Bay, Laguna.

She confesses that her childhood dream was to become a soldier, but because she has a big heart for children, she loves being in ROS. Aside from enjoying the friendship of other ROS staff, she takes
delight in sharing her life story with the children, listening to their own stories, and leading devotion and Bible study sessions for them. She tells them that even though they are not with their parents, “the Lord has a better plan for them and that many people are looking after them, including Lola Ruth,” referring to CCT President Ruth Callanta, whom the children call their “lola” or grandmother.

Through the years, she has seen the children become more respectful of each other. She says that they used to try to avoid meeting new people because they were too shy but now they know how to confidently greet and talk to visitors. She is also seeing a growing sense of initiative and obedience among the older girls. The children are now more affectionate and loving, she adds, unlike before when they would often get into fights.

Jeloxen makes sure to teach them about honesty. She tells them that when they want something, they can always ask and when they have made a mistake, such as taking things that are not theirs, they should admit to it and say sorry. Not only do the children learn from her but she also learns from them about humbly owning up to a mistake and always treating others with respect.

She prays that the children whom she takes care of will be grateful even in the smallest things, and will love God, others, and their country. She believes that as she serves the children, God is molding her to become more obedient, humble, patient, and faithful. To be more equipped in influencing them, she plans to go back to school in the near future to finish her degree.

Development Practitioners Visit VOH Boarding School

Development practitioners, many of them executive directors and managers of faith-based organizations, got a chance to see how the Lord has been working in the lives of children who used to live on the streets of Metro Manila during an exposure trip to the Rose of Sharon House of Friendship Boarding School.  The visit was part of a two-week modular course titled Spirituality and Culture in Transformational Development  run by the Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture from July 29 - August 11, 2013.

Children rescued from Manila's streets sing about
God's love.

Rose of Sharon House of Friendship Boarding School
children with Dr. Grace Dyrness, executive director of the
Institute for Transnational Research and Development,
Institute for Urban Initiatives... 

...with Dr. Melba Maggay, president of the
Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture (ISACC)

...and with Mac Broadshaw, co-founder of ISACC. 

VOH Children, Families Bond on 1st Family Day

The children at the two Visions of Hope (VOH) boarding schools in Laguna have a common wish – to see their families every chance possible. On June 29, 2013, that wish was granted when VOH organized the first family day to bring the children and their families together in a time of worship, celebration, and dialogue.

Frances (left) and Jireh (middle) gets a tight embrace
from their mother after they sang and gave her white roses.

The boarding schools, which house children who otherwise would grow up on the street, are run by the Visions of Hope Foundation, a member of the Center for Community Transformation (CCT) Group of Ministries. The parents of about 50 % of the children are actively involved with the CCT’s Kaibigan Ministry which reaches out to specifically to street dwellers. Some of the parents are employed as service staff at the CCT support office or at branch offices, and others have jobs as construction workers. Five of the children are orphans formerly under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The parents of most of the rest of the children still live on the street, often attending CCT’s feeding program.

Almost half of the 73 children had visitors on family day, the highest number in years, as noted by VOH staff. Previously, the parents paid simultaneous scheduled visits once every two months but this was the first time there was a set of planned activities they were able to enjoy together.

The day began with the weekly corporate worship service, where the children sang and danced. They also offered white roses and a thank you song to their families. Those who did not have visitors gave roses to their house parents and teachers. Parents and children who celebrated their birthdays in June were surprised with birthday cakes. Parents joined the games that followed, while their children cheered, and they shared meals during lunch time. A dialogue with the parents – which included reports on health, academics, and home care – wrapped up the day. In the meeting, parents expressed their opinions and asked questions about partnering with VOH in taking care of the children.

The boarding school in the town of Bay houses boys ages 3 to 12 and girls ages 4 to 15. The Magdalena boarding school houses boys 9 to 19 of age. 

Grace, who danced during the program, is glad
that she can spend time with mother Nida. 

Frances Bumby, nine, is proud about the fact that her younger sister, Jireh, sang and danced during the program. She was also pleased that her mother, who visits them regularly, won second prize in a food-eating contest. Frances wishes that family days will be done more often.

In 2012, she and her family were stuck in Luneta, a public park in Manila, for a few days because they did not have fare to return to their rented house in Navotas, a city directly north of Manila. They joined a CCT-led feeding program, and she and Jireh were later referred to VOH. Frances prays for a permanent home and for God’s daily protection to be upon her family. 

Unlike Frances, 15-year-old Mary Grace Torres said that before family day, she last saw her mother, Nida, at the end of 2012. This is because she tells Nida to save the money she would have spent visiting. Grace said that even though she is able to talk to her mother on the phone every weekend, her presence on family day was so much better.

Grace’s family lived on the street when she was eight years old after her father died, and Nida had no choice but to place Grace and her two siblings in different foster homes as they were growing up. Nida now works as service staff at the CCT support office. Grace prays that her family would stay strong in the Lord, and that she would be able to help them get out of poverty someday.

VOH children who were born in June celebrated their birth month with cakes.

Children and other parents cheered for fathers who joined an eating contest.

Frances's mother (second from right) won second in an eating
contest among mothers.

Kids Sing of God’s Faithfulness in Puypuy VOHCS Inauguration

Fifty-two former street-dwelling children and youth attended the dedication and inauguration of several new buildings at the Rose of Sharon House of Friendship, a boarding school facility built for them, in Puypuy, Bay, Laguna on December 8, 2012. The children were composed of 26 preschoolers, 21 grade schoolers and five high schoolers who are under the education program of the Visions of Hope Christian School (VOHCS), VOHCS Chairperson Stephanie De Los Santos reported. 

Some of the children who are members of the Magdalena Drum and Bugle Corps greeted the arriving guests with music. Dressed in Filipiniana, the smaller ones entered the program hall in lines led by their teachers. Brigada Bata members in official uniforms carried the Philippine flag and the CCT colors. They quietly sat down and listened to the inauguration and dedication service that followed.

Testimonies of God’s faithfulness from VOHCS staff, board members, students, and parents were the highlight of the service. When it was their turn to perform, the children danced to a medley of Christmas songs, much to the delight of the guests. The hall echoed with their voices when they sang with everyone, Dakilang Katapatan (Great Faithfulness), a fitting song about God’s faithfulness, toward the end of the program. 

Each new facility was then prayed for and dedicated to the Lord. The facilities are: 

• A three-story dormitory, which can house up to 140 children; 
• A two-story academic building with four classrooms, a reading room, a play room, a computer room, and a library given the name Kinabookasan (a play on the words  "book" and "kinabukasan," the Filipino term for future); 
• A six-lane swimming pool which will help train the children in swimming so that they may apply for athletic scholarships in college; and, 
• The two-room faculty building. 

VOHCS board members, children, parents, staff, and guests shared food and fellowship afterward in the wide and well-lit canteen, and a donor gave gifts to the children at the new dorm.

A couple of Christmas cards written by  VOH children hang
on the wall of the new canteen.

With smiles on their faces, VOHCS children wait for the program to start.

The CCT Choir serenades guests, VOHCS staff, and children with Christmas carols
in the new VOHCS canteen where the inauguration service was held. 

A group of young boys dance to a Christmas medley number.

Everyone prayed to dedicate the facility to the Lord and receive His blessing
during the benediction.  

VOH Board Member Maria Gemma Donna Simpao and
Kaibigan Ministry Peer Servant Arlene Diel cut the ribbon
in one of the VOHCS buildings being dedicated. 
(Photos by Jean Francis Barcena)

How to Get to the CCT Visions of Hope Christian School in Puypuy, Bay, Laguna

Planning to visit the children at the CCT Visions of Hope Christian School in Puypuy, Bay, Laguna?  Here's how to get there: 

By private vehicle from Metro Manila: Enter  the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) at any of the following points: 

• Buendia Flyover (Gil Puyat Flyover)
• Skyway: Gil Puyat Ramp
• Skyway: Makati
• Arnaiz Avenue / Pasay Road Intersection
• Skyway: Don Bosco Magallanes
• Skyway Entrance: Magallanes
• Nichols Toll Barrier
• C5
• Merville
• Skyway: Bicutan
• Bicutan
• Skyway: Dr. A. Santos (Sucat)
• Sucat
• Skyway: Alabang South Station
• Alabang
• Filinvest
• Susana Heights 

 Leave SLEX at the Calamba exit, drive straight ahead on Real Road then turn right at the Calamba national highway. Drive along this highway through the resort town of Calamba, through Los Banos and past the UP Los Banos and IRRI on the right. About 500 meters past  UP Open Universiy you will enter the town of Bay, Laguna. Keep to the right when you get to the fork in the road. Drive straight ahead for about one kilometer, then turn right on the road before a police sub-station when you see the Royal Palm Resort sign. Keep going, passing the Royal Palm Resort on the left and the Puypuy Elementary School on the right. The  Visions of Hope Christian School (2240 Puypuy, Bay) is just about 300 meters past the school.  

 By public transport from Metro Manila: Get on a bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Laguna 

• at the  HM Terminal (near the Victory Liner terminal) on EDSA in Cubao, 
• at the DLTB bus terminal on Buendia /Gil Puyat (near LRT station)
• along Taft Avenue in Manila 
• at the Alabang bus terminal. (Fare from Alabang as of August 2011 is P77.85.) 

Alight at the Bay public market.  Tricycles to Puypuy are parked near Emely sari-sari store. Fare is P45.00 for a special trip (you alone) or P9.00 with four other passengers. The  Visions of Hope Christian School (2240 Puypuy, Bay) is just about 300 meters past the Puypuy Elementary School.  

Philippa Tyndale, Aussie Youth Visit CCT Projects

Philippa Tyndale (second from left) and a group of Australian young people chat with former street children at the
Visions of Hope boarding school in Puypuy, Bay, Laguna.

Philippa Tyndale, longtime supporter of CCT, and a group of Australian young people recently came to the Philippines on an exposure trip. The visit allowed the young people -- who are youth leaders in their respective churches -- to gain insight on the ministry and work of CCT among street dwellers, micro-entrepreneurs, and out-of-school youth.

The group observed a street-side fellowship and feeding activity in Pasay City, visited the community center in Intramuros and a generics drugstore run by CCT partners in Tondo, and spent some time with former street children now living at the Visions of Hope boarding school in Puypuy, Laguna, as well as with vocational-technical students at the Training and Development Institute in Magdalena, Laguna. 

Philippa and her husband, Andrew, have been involved with Opportunity International Australia for more than a decade. She is a former personal finance journalist with Fairfax publications in Sydney.