Home of Love (Orphanage) - Livelihood Program

I have been supporting the Home of Love orphanage for a while now, with whatever little financial support that I could manage.  However since Loquito and I went to the center, we promised Sr. Margaret that we do something that would help the cause of the Pink Nuns!  So, we got hold of some information about their Livelihood Project and we would like to share this to friends, relatives and anyone that are generous enough to share their blessings to needy kids at the center.  I will detail the project as written by Sr. Margaret below.

Home of Love Livelihood Program in Sewing and Baking
Location : Bagasawe, Tuburan, Cebu, Philippines
Owned by: Immaculate Mary Queen of Heaven Missionaries
General Suerior and Foundress :Sr Ma. Corazon J. Salazar, MQHM
Center Head/Directress : Sr. Ma. Marjorie May C. Torion, MQHM

Current Beneficiaries at the Center : Total 31

Brief Project Background:

MQHM Rehabilitation and Livelihood Training Center or the so-called Home of LOVE is a shelter for women and girls victims of prostitution and human traficking.  The MQHM Sisters dedicate their lives in the rescue of prostitutes together with their children dependents which they call "clients".  The center offers a holistic rehabilitation programs and services are committed for the total healing and renewal of the clients (see Fight on Prostitution). One of its programs is to provide the livelihood of the clients while they are undergoing rehabilitation. It is the way in which these women and young girls will earn while continuing their rehabilitation program in the shelter. At present there are 18 clients who are studying the sewing and dress making course. The center aims to provide the livelihood project of sewing this year. At the same time they will also study the skills in baking breads, pastries and cakes. The women who will be awarded this program will receive its equivalent compensation. They will be sewing school uniforms that have an established market. Their income will be put on savings while they remain dependent in the center. This will be given to the clients by the time they will go home and live independently. 

Home of Love has created this project to support the needs of its clientele. These women and girls survivors of prostitution and abused own nothing but they still have the chance to regain back their lost dignity. MQHM believes that after the successful rehabilitation of its clientele, they will become productive members of our society. All they need is our loving and faithful support in their goal of changing their lives. The livelihood program will ensure better future for these women and their children.

EXISTING LIVELIHOOD EQUIPMENT FOR SEWING
1. Singer Household Machine (second hand) – 2 units
2. Portable Sewing Machines (second hand) – 2 units
3. Juki High speed machine (reconditioned) – 1 unit

EXISTING LIVELIHOOD EQUIPMENT FOR BAKING

1. Industrial Oven 3 Layers

PROJECTED ESTIMATED PROJECT COST

1. SEWING EQUIPMENTS Brand New Slightly Used

1.1 JUKI single needle machine with complete set – 3 units
a. Brand new P 23,000.00 x 3 units P 69,000.00
b. Slightly used P 16,500.00 x 3 units P49,500.00

1.2 JUKI (4 threads) Edging Machine with complete set – 2 units
a. Brand new P 52,000.00 x 2 units P 104,000.00
b. Slightly used P 28,000.00 x 2 units P56,000.00

1.3 JUKI Buttonholer Machine with complete set – 1 unit
a. Brand new P 180,000.00 x 1 unit P 180,000.00 Slightly used 
b. P 80,000.00 x 1 unit P80,000.00

1.4 Eastsun 5” Cutting Machine – 2 units
a. Brand new P 24,000.00 x 2 units P48,000.00
b. No second hand P48,000.00

TOTAL PROJECT COST OF BRAND NEW EQUIPMENT 
P 401,000.00  (Four hundred one thousand pesos.) 

TOTAL PROJECT COST OF SLIGHTLY USED EQUIPMENT
P 233,500.00 (Two hundred thirty-three thousand five hundred pesos.)

2. BAKING EQUIPMENT

2.1 Heavy Duty Mixer 10 Liters - 1 unit P 49,000.00

2.2 Dough Shetter 125,000.00

2.3 Baking Plates – 20 pcs x P500.00 10,000.00

2.4 Cooling Rack (quotation to follow) -

2.5 Baking Pans/Molders (estimate only) 10,000.00

TOTAL PROJECT COST
P 194,000.00 (One hundred ninety-four thousand pesos.)

Prepared by:

SR. MA. MARJORIE MAY C. TORION, MQHM

To anyone interested to share their blessings or donate to Home of Love you may contact Sr. Mary Margaret through email : sr_margaret2013@gmail.com or you get hold of their office in Talisay, Cebu. Otherwise send me a comment on here and I will ensure the Sisters will contact you.  God Bless!


MQHM Center Contact details
Home of Love Contact details

Driving back to Opon (Lapu-Lapu City)

Loquito and I left the Home of Love just before sunset, we were both happy as well as sad.  We dont know which one of it was more but I felt I left my heart in the Home of Love.  I kept thinking about what I can do to help the children, how I can help to make their lives better, although despite the situation, they gave Loquito and I their warmest and the most sincere hugs and smiles.  There was nothing like it.  When you see the twinkle in their eyes the moment they see you looking at them and then they shy away hiding behind the Pink Nun, some of them vibrant enough to giggle. "Sigh"

the pink nuns and their beneficiaries at the orphanage

The drive back was long and silent.  We haven't been to that part of Cebu and we had no clue if we were on the right road.  We passed Balamban town center and we were amazed that on the mountain top there are shopping malls.  It was not something we thought of or expected to see.  I was under the impression that it would be a typical market with livestocks and a lot of vegetables.  Well - I was wrong!  We drove for about 2 hours and we got into a very dark road without lights.  I couldn't make out were exactly we were, my phone signal was on and off and the road was uphill, going down, blind curve and ranges from dark to super dark.  We could see some lights flickering from a distance, I could only think that those were lights from the houses on the mountain.  There were very few cars, in fact - it was only us and then some random motorbike from time to time with 4-5 people on it. I got a little scared at some point, but I didn't tell Loquito that - otherwise there will be two of us uncertain on this road trip of insanity, but in all honestly  I really didn't know if we will make it back to Cebu City that night or we will just camp by the road side and wait til day light.  At some point I knew Loquito was also uncertain if we took the right road, he kept asking me if I know where we were.  A few more minutes and we were on a road that I was familiar with, we reached Barangay Busay and then Nivel Hills in Lahug and the torture in my head started to subside.

We covered the north Cebu by road

We drove back in the city and back to Mactan Island or Opon (old name of Lapu-lapu city).  It was almost midnight when we arrived and both of us lost the appetite to eat but we were both up for a massage.  We were lucky that we saw one on our way to hotel and most customers were already gone, so there were massage therapists available. The massage was for an hour and it was the best massage I've ever had, although it may not be that good in other times but this time it was heaven.  After traveling, with what felt like the end of the world, it was a great treat to ourselves.  By then we had already completed our Cebu North Road Trip.  I dozed off to sleep, with the children's happy thoughts and the beginning of a new adventure for tomorrow. 

Leaving Bantayan Island for Home of Love

After our very peaceful and sunny beach day in Bantayan Island, we decided to cut our trip short due to the weather report forecasting strong winds the following day or possibly in the next couple of hours.  So, we decided to go back to Cebu City on the next ferry out.  As we were getting ready, "Kulut" (the guy who rented us his motorbike) - came to see us, he was just coming by to check if we need his assistance however, he found out that we were planning to leave.  Although, not in the least happy but he was very understanding and was very helpful getting us to the pier and bought tickets.  We managed to get on a ferry on the last minute, and I guess people rely on weather forecast more in Bantayan Island coz believe it or not - the ferry was full.

Kota Beach

The sea was calm when we left Sta. Fe Port and soon enough we realized that the ferry we were on was slower than the one we came by with however it is bigger compared to the previous.  Half way through the channel the wind picked up and the boat started to rock.  I was a bit scared but pleased that we made the right decision of going back.  I've overheard from the locals chatting behind us that the wind usually picks up in the afternoon and that it is wiser to get on the slower ferry, it is bigger and safer.  I was contented to hear this despite that I felt nauseated the last half of the journey.  When I saw the pier from a distance, I felt relieved.  The ferry - although slightly bigger but it was the same smell of smoke and engine roaring and hammering your head the whole time, much worse coz the floor we were sitting or standing on constantly vibrates from the engine.  It maybe because the boat was large and therefore uses a bigger engine? whether this is right or wrong - the vibrating adds up to my motion sickness. I didn't really know how I survived the trip without complaining or better yet - without getting really sick but I'm happy I manage to keep my cool.

Built like a tank!

We got off the ferry as soon as possible when it we were told it was ok to leave the boat.  Loquito - being so tall and built like a tank, he managed to pull me and our bags passed all passengers rushing to the exit. Size really does matter! As soon as we got out, we collected the car from the covered parking space.  I was praying the drunk guy isn't there, tough luck he was, I guess my prayers didn't reach God in time.  We settled our parking fee and I had Loquito handle the guy.  Hell! - drunk or not - he should be intimidated by the man that's twice his size and also very good at pretending he doesn't speak English! hahaha..this does the trick most of the time.

When we left we decided to drive through a different route than when we got there, and also too that we will visit the Home of Love orphanage.  It was something we been wanting to do since our vacation begun.  According to google map, from Hagnaya Port to Tuburan was 47 kilometers - I hope its not a lie! Coz it doesnt sound like it was that far.  However, it was the first time we took that road, and also the first time to visit the center in Tuburan and we have no clue how to get there but to rely on google map directions.  We drove for about half an hour and I realized we were running out of fuel. I was getting really worried, the road we were on  was mountainous, going up - down - blind curves - and the houses were far apart, there were hardly any people on the street and some road doesn't even have any visible houses by the road side and it stretched on for a few kilometers, let alone a gasoline station out of nowhere.

according to google map

Loquito told me to drive slower so we could conserve the fuel, should be enough to get us to Tuburan town center.  As we got nearer we can see some people walking on the street and I felt relieved, that it felt like we were back in civilization and less of the mountains scenery.  We checked for the gasoline station right away and then we asked around how to get to the Home of Love.  Apparently the orphanage is famous as Pink Sisters coz the nuns that run the center wears Pink!  So after, asking a couple of people we found a narrow road leading to the center.  It was a very steep climb, I was told by the Nuns to leave the car at the foot of the path but Loquito wanted to take it up, so he took over the wheel.  There was no way in hell I could make it up if I were to drive, the center was position on top of the hill. When we got there, indeed we were greeted with the Pink Nun and a lot of lovely children.  Although it felt like we were driving forever and we started to feel tired, but when we hear the kids laugh, it was all we needed to feel good again.