Balay San Columbano which means "The House of St Columban" was set up by Columban Fr Donald (Don) Kill in Ozamiz City, the Philippines, to provide a home for 27 young people from troubled families. In many cases, one or both parents suffer from addictions to alcohol or drugs. The home offers the children food to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over their heads and an education to improve their lot in life. Fr Don introduces us to some of the young people in the care of Balay San Columbano.
Rene Boy Eramis is severely disabled due to fetal alcohol syndrome. He recently turned 32 years old and is unable to learn but is functional as a helper in our home. He helps to clean the house and prepares meals for the others living with us. Rene Boy was often severely beaten by his alcoholic father which added to his psychological problems. He was not only deformed, he was unlovable and something to be beaten for no reason. Thank God he escaped from his family and became part of our family.
Rene Boy is currently suffering from a severe infection in his left knee. I had to bring him to Cebu to see the good doctors here who do not charge for the treatment. The tests and medicines, however, are costly.
We are fortunate to be able to stay in the house of my Chinese friends from the hardware store in Ozamiz. We have been friends for all the years I have lived in the Philippines and they built a visitors room for me and others. This saves me about P2500 (AUD$60) per day.
John Philip Gabutero is the second oldest person living with us. “Jan Jan” as he is known, is studying to be an architect. He is now in his third year of college and doing quite well in his studies. His cousin Eddie Clamonte is an engineer and his father is a carpenter. A carpenter’s daily wage is less than AUD$10 per day. That is why Jan Jan’s father cannot afford to send him to college.
Edward Macabio
The next oldest boy living with us is Edward Macabio. Edward is now 21-years-old and is president of his Sixth Grade Class. He is like an older brother for the younger kids in his class who are now only 12 or 13 years old. Edward does well in his studies in spite of having a slight case of cerebral palsy. Edward is also a son of alcoholic parents and grandparents. He and his brother and sisters were abandoned by their parents and left with the alcoholic grandparents. Edward is a blessing to all of us. He is kind and works hard at what he is able to do.
Odel Quiroro
Next in age is Odel, a deaf mute. He is the son of an alcoholic father who died suddenly last May when he fell and hit his head while in a drunken stupor. Odel is a slow learner and sticks to his own brand of sign language which keeps him from understanding the lessons being taught by his teachers.
Odel is now 19-years-old but only in Grade Two in the special school for the deaf run by the La Salle Brothers here in Ozamiz. He is a very industrious young man and works hard whenever there are manual tasks to be done. He will probably never go beyond primary education, but he will at least have that to give him a better start in life.
Ruben Enocian
Ruben is 14-years-old and the youngest boy living with us. He is the son of an alcoholic father who spends most of their meagre funds on drink and gambling. Ruben has had some behavioural problems in the past even when living with us. This, of course, is common among the sons of alcoholics.
He had to leave the house for several months until he began to behave better. Thank God, Ruben is now doing well and is getting good grades in school. He is at the same grade level as Edward but in a different class. Ruben “drives” Edward to school each morning and back home in the evening using a bicycle that has a side car built on to it!
Algen and Jesseryl
We have other students in Ozamiz who do not live in the house with us. One of these is Algen Langiras who now lives in a boarding house. We only have to pay for her room. She has a working scholarship from Jollibee Corporation – a hamburger chain. On top of her tuition, Algen gets free food at the restaurant. Algen should graduate in March 2014. She has worked hard to get her education and is one of the few who were able to get this scholarship.
The other young lady lives with her aunt. Her name is Jesseryl Gabutero. She is known as “Jek Jek” and is in her third year of studies for a Bachelor of Science in Financial Management.
Conclusion
Despite the sad background of the residents of Balay San Columbano, it nevertheless has offered them a real home, a caring family and hope for the future.
Columban Fr Donald Kill has been a missionary in the Philippines since 1972.
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LISTEN TO: A real home (Duration: 6.13mins, MP3, 2.84MB) |
Read more from The Far East, April 2014