Both the United States and the Philippines are hit hard by Covid-19. As of July 2020, the US have a staggering 3.2 million cases and over 137,000 deaths (New York Times, July 2020). Many of those afflicted are in the South and West, including California where almost half of all Filipino Americans live. The Philippines is also reeling from Covid-19 as the pandemic shut down the country and literally slammed the breaks in the economy. This caused untold pain for millions of Filipinos, with hunger and begging on the rise (National Public Radio NPR, July 2020). The ones who are most afflicted are the poor; they were disadvantaged even before Covid-19 hit. Now they’re situations are worse, including the abandoned children and orphans at Marcellin Foundation in General Santos City, Philippines.

Dale Asis (far right) and Evelyn Castillo (second to the right) joins a class of orphans and abandoned children with the Marcellin Foundation in General Santos City, Philippines (January 2019)

Supporting orphans in General Santos City, Mindanao

In 2019, the Bayanihan Foundation started supporting abandoned children and orphans in General Santos City, Mindanao. The city is located in the southern tip of Mindanao island with over 500,000 residents. International boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao hails from the city of GenSan, as many locals call their city. The Bayanihan Foundation partners with the Marcellin Foundation with Brother Crispin Betita, FMS with the Marist Brothers Catholic congregation.

(left to right): Evelyn Castillo, Bayanihan Foundation Liaison; Brother Crispin Betita, FMS; and Dale Asis at Marcellin Foundation (January 2019)

The Marcellin Foundation is part of a growing international community of Catholic Religious Institute of Brothers (FMS). In 1817, St. Marcellin Champagnat, a priest (Marist Father, SM) from France, founded the Marist Brothers, with the goal of educating young people, especially those that are most neglected.  Brother Crispin established the Marcellin Foundation following that same vision of providing quality education to youth who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged.

However, Covid19 has hit hard the Marcellin Foundation as the orphanage funding sources have started to dry up. Bayanihan Foundation wants to step in and help as much it can and support much needed food, rice, and supplies for the orphan boys under Fr. Crispin’s care.

(left to right): Brother Crispin Betita, FMS and one of the boys staying at the Marcellin Foundation share a light-hearted moment.   The orphanage is geared towards Filipino Muslim and indigenous orphans and abandoned children in General Santos City, Philippines.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation and the ones that are the most afflicted are the poor and disadvantaged including the orphan children at Marcellin Foundation. They’re situation is worse. Would you be able to help? Any amount is welcome and will provide much needed food and supplies to these orphans. 100% of your donation will go directly to help these vulnerable children.