Servicemembers brighten spirits of Philippine children

  • Published
  • By Lt. j.g. Theresa Donnelly
  • Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines Public Affairs
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFNS) --  Twenty members of Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines spent a special holiday evening visiting children at the Social Development Center in Zamboanga City Dec. 23.

"It made me feel really good to give my time and spend time with the kids," said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Cross. "I was excited about it and could tell they were excited to see us."

Founded in 1994, the center serves as a residential facility for children who are abandoned, neglected, orphaned or abused. The children here receive personal care and rehabilitative services with the hopes that they will eventually be reintegrated back to their families and communities.

JSOTF-P volunteers started the evening playing games and singing Christmas carols with the nearly 60 children at the center. Later, the children received Christmas stockings and ate popcorn while watching movies. When the movies ended, the kids were led upstairs so they could see for the first time new bedding that had been donated by members of the task force.

The JSOTF-P chaplain team, consisting of two Air Force members along with their Armed Forces of the Philippines counterparts, spearheaded the project.  The JSOTF-P staff has had an established relationship with the center spanning several years. From renovations to the facilities to donating toys, it has been a long-term priority of the command to give back to children in need.

"Last year at the center, we had the (Military Information Support Team) senior enlisted leader dress as Santa Claus and hand out toys to the children," U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Dave Randall said. "It was really nice to see the kids' faces light up as they received their Christmas gifts." 

In addition to this visit, over the past few months approximately 100 JSOTF-P volunteers have helped with painting the boys' and girls' rooms. At the time, volunteers noted that the children also needed new bedding, mattresses and draperies.

From that point, a collection was taken and dozens of JSOTF-P servicemembers contributed to a fund which paid for new bedding and drapes, courtesy of the Western Mindanao Command tailor.

Additionally, members of JSOTF-P's MIST donated 20 mattresses, replacing the foam padding that had been the children's beds.

After the rooms were repainted, several of the children expressed their excitement with their new rooms.  One young girl mentioned that she now is proud to have her friends over and visit her freshly-painted bedroom.

In the coming weeks, JSOTF-P volunteers also are installing new doors and mosquito netting to decrease the outbreak of dengue fever among the children.

"The children are so happy that you guys are here," said Rizal Bacolod, a 17-year-old boy who lives at the center. "Thank you so much for everything."