An oasis for street children

Abtanan sa Kaluoy (ASK) or “Oasis of Mercy” is the response of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu to the problem of children living in the streets of the city. It is a fivestorey (including the roof deck) building within the compound of the St. Joseph the Patriarch Parish in Mabolo, Cebu City which expects to be open by mid-June.

According to project coordinator Maria Georgia Cogtas, the purpose of the building is to be an activity center with the following services:

• Profiling and late registration of live births

• Bathing and hygiene

• Medical and dental services

• Feeding programs

• Fun play activities for kids

• Values formation and good citizenship training

• Informal academics and tutorial.

It is not a dormitory, emphasized Cogtas, but in case of an emergency, children can be housed there.

Cogtas said that when the program of ASK formally begins, it will gather six children from each of the city’s barangays for a day’s activity that will include profiling assessing each of the children. If they need baths or haircuts, that will be given them, as well as medical and dental care. They will have space to run around and play. There will be informal lessons in the