DEALING with the underlying causes of child abandonment is, no doubt, a very difficult one considering that their parents had to be totally overwhelmed by something to carry out such a horrible act.

This was the case of Nena (not her real name) who was still an infant when she was found by a farmer abandoned in the middle of a ricefield. It was later found out that her alleged mother was a victim of gang rape and could not live with the thought of raising a child that reminds her of her tragic experience.

Tied with a cord

Lito (not his real name) also shares Nena?s plight: As a 12-year-old mute, he was left in the care of his grandmother who ties him to one corner of the house with a cord to keep him from wandering.

All Lito could do was sit or stand in his place the whole day until his grandmother arrived from selling salt.

Their stories may sound unbelievable but they are all true.

But fortunately for Nena and Lito as well as 29 other abandoned children with conditions like cerebral palsy, autism and Down?s Syndrome they are now sheltered by Little Lamb Center (Lilac) located in JM Basa extension, Sawang Calero in Cebu City.

The center is being run by the Missionaries of the Poor (MoP), a Catholic religious community of brothers and priests founded in Jamaica.

?They have been performing charitable work in India, Haiti, Uganda and the Philippines, providing food, shelter, medicine, physical therapy, special education and hospitalization to physically disabled and mentally handicapped children, abandoned babies as well as providing a safe environment for the elderly, street people, the homeless and even AIDS victims,? explained Dr. Joji Sta. Ana, GM of sanofi pasteur who led sanofi-aventis Philippines in providing assistance to the children.

He added that providing safe haven, while considered a short-term solution, helps these children while the society gains deeper understanding and develops a more comprehensive response.

Public awareness

?This is one of the reasons we are here: More than the medical aid and the financial help that we have provided, we believe letting the public know more about their plight and the admirable acts of their custodians would certainly bring the issue to more Filipinos,? Sta. Ana said.

The 31 children now at the center were mostly found abandoned on the streets by the MOP and a number of them were referred to by barangay officials or the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Cebu.

The MOP first established its mission house in Naga City and very soon established another one in Cebu City.

The 480-square-meter property where Lilac is located was donated by the the Aboitiz family of Cebu.

It costs the MOP around P300,000 a month to run the center.

?The brothers have been taking care of these abandoned children for two years now. Many of them here are suffering from various physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy and third degree malnutrition,? explained Caloy Realuyo, GM of sanofi-aventis Philippines.

During their visit, they fed the children, distributed bags of goodies, packs of food, cash and check donations as well as provided medical assistance.

Continued support

?We intend to continue our support to Lilac as well as other institutions that make a difference to children?s lives,? Realuyo promised.

He related that poor children have always been a part of the sanofi-aventis group?s year-round activities here in the country. This included partnering with the Philippine Heart Center to aid heart patients, Philippine Children?s Medical Center and Project: Brave Kids to help children with cancer as well as Urchins-Street Kids Association.

?For years, the company has been adopting and sustaining a number of projects for indigent children. We are not only a pharmaceutical firm but also a children?s rights advocate committed to ensuring that Filipino children are given the chance to live healthy and happy lives,? Sta. Ana explained.