Christmas 2023
The team at Virtual Elves will this Christmas be involved in supporting important charities close to their hearts in three locations throughout the Philippines as a way of “giving back” for the good fortune we have all received this year. These initiatives were presented by our VAs as a way to build on our company’s social impact and we are thrilled to be able to support them.
This charity caters to 38 residents diagnosed with cerebral palsy, ADHD, autism, epilepsy, and mental disability. Donations will be used to buy their daily needs like food, medicines, hygiene essentials, and other house needs. Our support will be of great help for them in sustaining the day-to-day needs of their differently-abled residents.
History and Info:
Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth was conceived and born in 1992 out of the womb of Bahay Pag-big House of Prayer in response to the call and need to serve the poor and abandoned disabled people who were at that time being brought to Bahay Pag-big.
The founder and former Apostolate Director of Bahay Pag-Ibig, Rev. Fr. Rogelio C. Yambao welcomed and accepted the first ward brought in and referred by Sr. Valeriana Baerts, ICM foundries of Tahanan Walang Hagdanan. Most of the wards got together from various institutions mostly from Manila where they did not fit. A few came from Pampanga. Once the wards found their home at MTN, they were adopted for life.
This Archdiocesan ministry to the poor is a living witness to the generosity and magnanimity of the people of Pampanga as good Samaritans who host and support even the strangers who seek their help and assistance.
It is by the same Christian virtue that the new Hospitable and spacious MTN home was completed and blessed on December 2, 2001, under the auspice of Rev. Fr. Edgar L. Panlilio, the Succesor of Rev. Fr. Yambao, with the assistance of Sr. Vivien Isabel T., Baluyut, O.P., the House Directress and the intrepid members of the MTN Executive Board.
The MTN wards were transferred from Bahay Pag-big to their new home on February 11, 2002.
The Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth Inc. is a shelter of abandoned differently able persons that provides direct interventions to beneficiaries vulnerable to abuse and exploitation whose ages 0-15 years old, need protective services that will promote their welfare.
It provides integrated and holistic approach services on individual and group counseling, medical, and legal assistance, self-awareness and crisis management sessions, spiritual enrichment activities along socio-cultural activities.
MTN home can accommodate a minimum of 40 clients. The home has essential facilities for special children. The MTN home was designated in view of making the wards feel and experience a family life setting when love and care are bound.
Everlasting HOPE is founded by Kristina Andersen, an American nurse, with her utmost desire to reach the children and families of the Philippines. Since 2008, Kristina has traveled several times to Cebu on short- and long-term missions. Through her various trips, and meeting with dedicated Filipinos, a team transpired. Their team has reached children, families, and communities through children and youth programs, community feedings, providing school supplies and uniforms, medical support and resources, food and nutrition, home and hospital visitation, vacation bible school, and a soccer sports camp for underprivileged children.
Our donation which was delivered in person by Cherry and Bella on Friday 24th November, including food and grocery items will go a long way in supporting the children and their families who are seeking care and relief through the shelter.
From 2012 to 2014, they began witnessing many families in medical crises unable to provide proper care for their children. Patients were being denied admittance to private hospitals without large deposits. Those trying to admit to the public hospital were required to purchase supplies and medicines they could not afford. Many couldn’t even afford the transportation costs to get to the hospital, and some were terrified of what they might find out if they went to the hospital, so they avoided going all together.
These challenges are creating huge barriers to proper medical care for children in the Philippines. They have witnessed children dying from illnesses that could be treated if the family wasn’t faced with such barriers and challenges. This has left so many families in desperate situations and feeling without hope.
In 2014, God birthed the desire to reach children with cancer specifically through the life of a 10 year old boy diagnosed with Osteosarcoma of the knee. Within one months’ time, his knee grew to the size of a basketball and he was no longer able to walk. His family had no money to provide proper medical care for him and they had no real support systems.
Their team felt the urgency to come along side this child and family to help in any way that they could. They were able to connect them to various agencies that assisted them with finances, medicines, and medical resources. They also connected him to his medical care team and coordinated a home visit by his doctor. They were able to provide him with a much needed wheelchair in addition to granting him and family a wish come true.
They began to see the great need of this family to have someone walk alongside them and to support them, not just financially, but also emotionally and spiritually. They also needed someone to advocate for them and to help connect them to various agencies that would provide the resources and financial needs that they had. They were privileged to work with this child and family for four months before he passed away. Through his life, their team has been inspired to come alongside other pediatric patients, families, and communities to support them and bring them HOPE. They are called to help children with cancer and their families so that they will hopefully see more children healed and living long lives. Most of all, they wish to bring them HOPE and joy for all the days they are given.
The orphanage was established on Sept 6 1998. No source of income and it only depends on those who share their blessings as a form of donation.
