An Afternoon at the Mall!

Enjoying Jollibee's Chicken Joy and Spaghetti!

At the movies to watch Toy Story 3

Our little ones having a blast at World of Fun (WOF)

Malling at Robinsons Place, Dumaguete City

Australian Business Volunteer Dr. Keith Carpenter

We recently had ABV Dr. Keith Carpenter as a guest in our Home.  He came through the auspices of the Oriental Negros Children's Advocacy Network (ONCAN) to help non-governmental organizations like us search for donors from overseas.

With him are Sister Celina, Luna Ferrari, and Sister Maria Fe.

Welcome to the Family Elsie!

This is Elsie Matondo. She is six years old.  She is the newest member to join our family here at Casa Cittadini.  You may see her now looking happy and delighting us with her sweet smiles showing all the joy and happiness within her, but Elsie's life had not always been like this.  She opened her eyes to a life that was filled with nothing but harship.

She was born in Manila and has two brothers and a baby sister.  Her mother abandoned them and left them in the care of their father.  It was said that the father had sold their baby sister to a childless couple inorder to have money to buy ship tickets for Negros Oriental.

The family came to Malabo, Valencia, Negros Oriental.  There, they were taken in by relatives and given a place to stay.  Elsie's father worked as a farmer and abaca pulp gatherer to support the family, however, the distance of the farm from their home meant that he had to leave the children to their own devices, often for an entire week.

The children were looked after by kindly neighbors.  But they could not be given full care and attention as the neighbors also had their own families and children to attend to. 

Life had been hard for Elsie.  They often had to go hungry.  She had not been to school.   At her tender age, she learned to cook and look after her little brother.  They often went on for days wearing the same unwashed clothes and with their father away from them, they slept in their filthy shanty totally unprotected and unaccompanied by an adult.

But all that is behind Elsie now.  We are happy that she is now living a better life, eating three full nutritious meals a day, has her very own, clean bed to sleep in, and she now goes to school too!

Elsie and some of our other girls in their Sunday best

 Home at last!

Casa Cittadini Foundation Meeting

Clockwise from left: Sr. Molly, Sr. Marissa, Abby Uy, Sr. Sherry (covered), Mrs. Amasula (c0vered), Sr. Celina, Lourdes Taburaza, Sr. Maria Fe (covered), Charles Co, Lalaine Co

Some members of the Casa Cittadini Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) in its June 27, 2010 meeting to discuss various concerns such as the admission of a new child (Elsie Matondo) into the Home and to keep the members updated with the most recents events involving the girls. Part of the agenda is the Financial Report which keeps the members abreast with the Foundation's financial status.

An Eventful Day!

Thursday, June 24, 2010 proved to be a very eventful day for us.  Not only did we welcomed Ate Luna Ferrari into our Home, but she came bearing a sizable donation which will be a great big help to us in our day to day needs.

But our day did not end there. We received an invitation from a Korean school to join their thanksgiving party. 

Sister Maria Fe with Luna and Teacher Arvie of DKEC

This school is part of the Gandhi Schools of Korea and is officially named Dumaguete Kalikasan Educational Center, Inc.  They have their campus in Bong-ao, Valencia, Negros Oriental.  The school has adopted Casa Cittadini as part of its community outreach program.

Bong-ao, Valencia Campus of DKEC

The school was throwing the party as a thanksgiving event as well as a going-away party for 23 Korean students who have been studing there for the last 4 months, and who will be returning to Korea soon. 

The festivities included a sumptuous feast which featured the Filipino lechon - a must in every Filipino celebration - and was equally enjoyed by the Korean youngsters as well as their Filipino guests.

A program followed featuring the musical and dance prowess not only of the Korean students but also of the children from both Casa Cittadini and Casa Miani.

Casa Cittadini girls with Sherlita and sisters Amelia and

Amalia singing a beautiful Filipino song

 Korean girls showcasing the latest dance moves in Korea

Casa Miani boys with their rendition of a Parokya ni Edgar song

More Casa Miani boys braving through the "Nobody But You" dance number

Sister Celina and Sister Maria Fe watching proudly from the sidelines

We Welcome a Guest into our Home!

Yesterday, we welcomed Luna Ferrari into Casa Cittadini.  The girls fondly call her Ate (big sister) Luna. 

She comes from Italy and she represents a foundation called Luca Ferrari Foundation, which was formed and named in remembrance of her older brother Luca who died as a baby more than 20 years ago.

The Luca Ferrari Foundation seeks to help children all over the world.  They recently built a clinic for children in San Pedro, Laguna.

Ate Luna will be staying at the Home for one week and will be spending time with the girls and helping Sister Celina and Sister Maria Fe take care of them.