The Committee on Women, Family and Minors of the Talisay City Government held its annual (for three successive years now) Free Mass Wedding for its local residents last June 26, 2009. Headed by City Councilor and Committee Chairperson Shirley Belleza, the objective of this event is to straighten out the records of schoolchildren whose parents lack the legal marriage rites.
Mercy In Action has always been its partner in providing wine for the ceremony. This year, our gappers- Max Hennings and Amy Shakeshaft led the toast for the 53 newly-weds during the reception at the City Hall Grounds. The youngest couple were on their twenties and the eldest around fifty. Amazingly, there were13 pregnant brides. Among the many good things we can do for others, one of the noblest would be to equip them for the future, both parents and children.
Synonymous to human existence is the provision of shelter or abode. As defined by science, man’s basic needs include food, clothing and shelter. In the Philippines however, particularly in the remote and slum areas of Cebu, there are some families who don’t have homes. If they are lucky enough to have one , it is most likely in a very poor condition.
In Talisay City, a Barangay/Community in Tapul where Mercy in Action sponsors 38 Environmental scholars, there are families who have very small and dilapidated houses. Understandably so, if people here are barely finding enough daily food, repairing their homes would not be their priority.
By the grace of God, Mercy In Action has faithfully and progressively been attending to this need.
On June 6, 2009 a short thanksgiving and turn-over activity was done as gappers Max Hemmings and Joss Goulding in partnership with Mercy in Action were able to build a new house in Tapul.
The family of twelve used to live in a house with a holed roof; and very old bamboo flooring and walls. The entire house was about 15 square meters with only 1 room and a very small kitchen that was about to collapse. Alejandro Ebo is the father. He is 52 years old and his wife is 46. They have 10 children with the eldest now aging 25 and the youngest 3 years old. Alejandro makes a living by gathering coconut wine, giving him a very meagre income of 3500 pesos or £ 40 a month.
They have been in this condition for more than 25 years. But now, they have been given a new home, double the size. It has concrete floors, galvanized iron roofing, stable walls, two rooms, a decent living room and much better kitchen.
As typhoons happen in the Philippines several times a year, they don’t have to worry anymore about getting wet due to the leaks in the ceiling. The new house is giving them more space to breathe and move.
Thank you to our partners. Without your help, making a difference to the lives of these people wouldn’t be as achievable.
The wall for the new childrens home is finished. We have 8 homeless children we work with through the drop-in center waiting to be moved into the new home as soon as possible. Lets keep praying and pushing for the last amount of money needed so we can start the construction of the building.
