I – DIOCESE OF VIRAC

 Bl. Alfonso Ma. Fusco Children’s Home (1983)  

The foundation house of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist in the Philippines is located in the island-diocese of Virac,  province of Catanduanes.  Since it was through the invitation of the local Ordinary,  Bishop Jose C. Sorra,  that the Baptistines came to the Philippines,  the pioneer sisters got settled in Virac upon their arrival in the Philippines on April 1983. The Bl. Alfonso Ma. Fusco Children’s Home was built to address the pressing need to promote the well-being of children especially those who come from the poor villages. In 1985,  the Children’s Home was officially established as a non-profit organization and accredited by the government as a rehabilitation center for

sick and malnourished children  in the whole island-diocese of Virac,  province of Catanduanes. It also serves as a home for abandoned, neglected and orphaned children from the same diocese. Since its foundation,  the Children’s Home has already rehabilitated more than 2000 children,  housing an average of 80 intern children in the six-month to one year period of rehabilitation,  and has facilitated the return of some children to the care of their families and relatives.  It has also facilitated legal adoption and placement of children to different foster homes in Italy, the United States of America and Australia,  providing them with a better future. The  Children’s Home provides residential and medical care to these indigent and sick children as well as formal education.  At the same time it provides non-formal education to the children’s parents.  It works with volunteer doctors and nurses who provide medical care to these children.  It also conducts outreach programs such as medical mission to far flung villages and relief operations during natural calamities.  The Children’s Home was able to save and protect the lives of children by providing them their basic needs, and special care in a homely atmosphere, complete with motherly love and concern. This quality care has improved not only their health conditions but also their emotional well-being.  Preventive  measures undertaken by the Children’s Home saved the children from illness and difficult cases were also given appropriate treatment. In the Children’s Home,  the children are provided with parental care and social services.  Integrating other alternative programs and activities such as educational opportunities, health care, religious and socio-cultural services and therapeutic sessions which have brought a lot of changes into the lives of these children deprived of their rights and opportunities for a better life.  The children’s involvement in the different programs and services has enhanced their personality as manifested in their understanding and acceptance of self, improvement of their relationship with others and performance of their roles and duties.  Assured of protection and security, the children have gradually overcome their shyness, fears, anxieties and insecurities facilitating their active involvement in varied activities and higher academic performance focused on opportunities for a better future and a better Christian life.