Kuya Thom Goes Home

SWITZERLAND / CAGAYAN DE ORO, PHILIPPINES

A grand walk in support of the children of Cagayan de Oro In celebration of true Filipino community

Text by Lily C. Fen

Thomas Kellenberger fell in love with the Philippines and its people when he traveledthrough its islands in 2007. Inspired by the laughter of Filipino children despite their difficult situations, he soon after founded Island Kids Philippines. Its state-recognized arm, Philippine Island Kids International Foundation, Inc. (PIKIFI) provides food, shelter and protection to hundreds of abused and abandoned children yearly. Focusing on family-oriented care, victim support and medical aid, PIKIFI runs a children's village and two day schools in Cagayan de Oro. More than 700 children receive basic schooling and practical training that allow them tangible prospects in the future. A few aim for university degrees. PIKIFI also provides emergency aid after climate disasters.

A year has passed since Thom came home to care for Ruth, his mother. Her eventual passing was soon

What a joy and a miracle! More than 700 children receive basic schooling and practical training at Island Kids Philippines’ Children’s Village, allowing them tangible prospects in the future. A few even aim for university degrees.

—SOURCE Dr. Lisa Düerkop, president of Island Kids Philippines (Germany), ensures that more people are aware of The Children’s Village through various events in Germany. She sees that a difference can be made when making education and security available to poverty-stricken young ones in the Philippines. —SOURCE

followed by the world shutting down due to the virus.

As the world slowly opens up again, Thom has decided to walk back to the The Children’s Village in Cagayan de Oro all the way from Switzerland. He hopes to find a way to heal after his loss along the way, as well as raise awareness and funds for the children of CDO.

On the 25th of August 2021, Thom will embark on a journey that will lead him through 15,000 kilometers on foot. This trip will take up to two years, covering 22 countries, with Thom walking for an average of 30 kilometers a day. Some stretches, however, such as that going from Vietnam to Manila, require travel by plane or ship. He is scheduled to arrive at the child welfare center in CDO in the Spring/Summer of 2023.

To date, The Children's Village is at full capacity and PIKIFI turns down requests for new admissions almost every week. The demand for care places remains high. Thom plans to establish a second children's village in 2023, one that offers full-time care for abused and neglected youngsters. He aims to raise up to CHF 165,000 through his journey on foot, enabling him to build two houses for 15 children each and operate them for a period of one year. He would also like to arrange 30 sponsored childcare slots.

The journey is Thom’s goal—no matter how far he may get on foot, he invites others to join him in his walk for a cause, and help raise funds to further the projects of Island Kids Philippines. Since the Galva Swiss Company will cover Thom’s travel expenses, every penny raised for the walk goes straight to the young ones. Thom has discovered that he and his colleagues at Island Kids are able to aid the children directly while keeping administrative costs low.

To support Island Kids, whether financially or through raising funds while doing your own walk for the kids, contact Thomas Kellenberger at:

Island Kids Philippines

Vorholzstrasse 12,3800 Unterseen, Switzerland or send an email to

info@islandkids.ch

www.islandkids.ch

FRANCE

Lourdes, France same time next year…

Text by Angela Fernandez

Lourdes is a small market town at the foothills of the Pyrenees in the southwestern part of France, rich in natural and cultural resources and aptly called “where heaven touches earth.”

It is a bastion of spirituality—the apparition site of the Blessed Mother Mary to peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous between February 11 to July 16, 1858. In the first of eighteen encounters when asked by the fourteen-year-old Bernadette who she was, Mother Mary replied that she was the Immaculate Conception.

Bernadette received other messages: on the virtues of poverty and humility, of personal conversion and more importantly on the power of prayer, especially the rosary.

Since then, Lourdes has become one of the most important Marian shrines in the world visited each year by five million faithful from over 140 countries that come to seek both physical and spiritual healing.

In the spring of 2017, a high school classmate from the College of the Holy Spirit announced that The Volunteer Group, organized by a former teacher, had a free spot for Lourdes. Bored with my daily routine I readily filled out the application form.

On September 5 of the same year, I set foot for the first time on sacred ground. The topography of Lourdes is incredibly impressive, with its river, lush fertile flat lands and hills and, of course, the Grotto of Massabielle where the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Bernadette. Strolling through the park I was imbued with a feeling of inner peace and a real sense of belonging.

As a first time volunteer there was much to discover. It was mandatory to attend a formation course where the “hospitalier spirit” was instilled in us; the right attitude to performing our assigned tasks no matter how menial they were. Volunteers came from all corners of the globe. In my group were many Filipina collegialas who had migrated abroad - to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, the Philippines, and myself from Italy. Our group was

In my group were many Filipina collegialas who had migrated - to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, the Philippines, and myself to Italy.

France

FRANCE

SPAIN Sanctuaires Notre-Dame de Lourdes

1 Av. Mgr Théas, 65108 Lourdes France

directly under the Administration of the Lourdes Sanctuary that ran the daily activities, both religious and non-religious, of the place.

There are several tasks for the volunteers. Some accompany the sick pilgrim groups from their country of origin. They are normally housed in the Hospitalite Notre Dame di Lourdes a big modern architectural structure on the grounds. Most first timers are assigned to help in the kitchen, but the meals themselves were catered and delivered.

The busiest time for the volunteers is assisting the pilgrims who dip in the miraculous waters of the Baths. There are always long queues throughout the day and the volunteers make sure that the process is as smooth and peaceful for the faithful, taking special care that the sick pilgrims are aided in the best possible way.

The Sanctuary grounds have many churches and chapels where one can attend one of the numerous Holy Masses being said.

There is a daily procession of the adoration of the Holy Eucharist, and the breathtaking evening rosary procession where thousands of lit candles line the streets of the sanctuary whilst the Holy Rosary is being recited in different languages.

I may have started out taking part in this experience for the wrong reason but I can emphatically state that for me, the Lourdes experience has been both enriching and rewarding and has made me a returning volunteer.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I was born in Dagupan City and earned my BSBA degree from the University of the Philippines. As an active member of international student organization of business and economics - AIESEC, I came to Europe to undergo company traineeships in Berlin, Zurich, Milan and finally Rome where I currently live. I worked as a Market Analyst at the Trade Office of the Philippine Embassy in Rome. I am married to an Italian and together, we raised two daughters now working in London. Angela Fernandez