It has always been said that Christmas is for the children. 

However, not all children have the opportunity to experience the vibrance and merriment of the Christmas celebration. 

There are children who face seemingly the nightmare of living on their own everyday, either because they are neglected or abandoned, or orphans and without a kin or a foster family to come home to. 

What these children missed mostly on Christmas Day, which is supposedly a time to be with family, is being filled by the presence of house parents at the SOS Children’s Village in Zarraga town, Province of Iloilo. “

We empower them to reach their goals also. We also make sure na for the community as part ng preventive approach na hindi sila ma-separate sa family, we have our family’s strengthening program also,” said Jedd Niñofranco, village director of SOS Children’s Villages Pilipinas.

One of children-residents is “Jo” who was only one year old when he was taken to the village.

He was the youngest of four siblings.

Jo expressed that despite his circumstance, he aspires to finish school and be reunited with his parents.

“Makatapos ako sang eskwela, makaubra ako sang maayos. Pag-ubra ko, mabalik ako sa pamilya ko,” Jo said to GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas in an interview.

Days to Christmas, Mitch, another child-resident, yearns to be with a family.

House mothers have to fill the need of the children, like Mitch, to be with a complete family.

“Kay para happy kay hambal nila sang iban kun indi daw complete family indi happy ang Christmas,” Mitch conveyed. 

One of volunteer house parents who fulfilled the children’s wishes, in a way, and provided help is Nivea Marie Villanueva, a single mother.

Nivea said she knows what it is like to be growing up without a complete family. Her domestic partner abandoned her which left the care of her twin-kids all to her. But instead of harboring a grudge or living in contempt, she struggled to deal with solo parenthood while watching the twins grow well.

“Sang gin-bless kami nga nag-okay ang akon business, ginpili ko ang SOS kay tungod ang mga bata dira mga neglected children, abandoned orphan. [At] para ma-expose sila [twins] sa realidad sa life and maging grateful sila. Ginpili ko na, para sa akon, the more beauty they will see, the more grateful they will be,” Nivea underscored.

Each year, the twins celebrate their birthday at SOS. Every Christmas they would visit the center to share their blessings and let the children feel what it is like to be loved.

Nivea’s wisdom shone bright in the way she has elucidated on life’s takeaways: “Not all storms are meant to distract [or destruct]. Siguro naga-abot lang ang struggles sa aton para mas maging stronger kag maging better person. If you get what you want, it’s God’s direction. If you don’t get what you want, it’s God’s protection,” Nivea underscored.