A Psychologist for Philippine orphanage children

*We've extended our deadline by a few days to help us meet our goal!*

Last year, a group from Guam went on an annual service trip to an orphanage in the Philippines. We've been working with this orphanage for the past four years. After a week of hearing the children's sad stories, a few of us sat down and agreed that we needed to do something more for the forty-some children at the orphanage who come from some of the worst cases of abuse and neglect. Over the next TWO WEEKS, we hope to raise $10,000 which will provide for an on-site psychologist for 2 years and will help the kids to work through their very difficult stories so that they can go on to live wonderful lives. 

WHERE?

There is a Christian (SDA) orphanage at the foot of the mountains in Pampanga, Philippines. It's a unique place -- a campus with a school, a cafeteria, a clinic, a large play yard, and houses with house mom, dad and an "aunt". Each house has a garden. The forty-some kids that call the place home have worship with their house families in the morning, go to school, do chores, garden, and play in the large yard. Most have the option to attend a university when they graduate. It isn't perfect but it is a good life.

WHO?

The children that are placed there are mostly the worst cases of abuse and abandonment. One set of siblings remembers a grandmother who tried to drown them, another set of siblings was found at a trash dump, barely toddlers. One little girl was forced to beg on a street corner, beaten and raped by family members. We know these children. They've all adjusted fairly well, considering. 

WHY?

But sometimes a safe place and love isn't enough. It certainly wouldn't be enough for our children. We would search out the best professional help to make sure that their past wasn't a burden that they had to carry around. These kids come from the ugliest of stories, yet they're so beautiful and full of hope. We want to provide an on-site psychologist for them to help them heal and move past what they've been through. $10,000 will cover the cost of an on-site psychologist for the next two to three years while we work on long-term funding. Any extra will go towards fixing up the school buildings (paint, windows, etc) and/or providing an activities coordinator/youth pastor for the children.

WHO WE ARE

Kathy Robinson, Guam -- mother, small business owner

Julie Namm, Guam -- doctor, cat-lover

Cara Flores-Mays, Guam -- mother, small business owner

Amy Walton, Florida -- mother, nurse

Uriah Perez, Guam -- policy analyst, writer