Inspired by the smiles of innocent children during their initial visit in early February to the Fatima Cottage Orphanage Home, the 18th Philippine Contingent to Liberia (PCL) returned to the orphanage on 22 February and this time they brought sleeping cots, mattresses, and tables together with shirts, trousers, and shoes from a staff member.

The Fatima Cottage Home is an orphanage founded in 1970 by Rev. Mother Victoria N.B. Young, an 88-year-old Liberian widow. Located in Diggsville, Monrovia, it does not only care for orphans but also provides much-needed support to needy and abandoned children. It maintains a school, dormitories, clinic, and a church headed by Rev. James Nagbe.

A short programme was dedicated by the teachers and volunteers to the guests with the orphans reciting the opening prayer and singing hymns in appreciation of this initiative.  The 68 orphans and 38 other children were joined by students and teachers from nearby schools in the village who shared the arroz caldo (Filipino porridge) prepared by the soldiers. The surge in the number of attendees was unexpected. However, it did not deter the group from distributing the food and other tokens even to those who were not members of the orphanage.

The Management of the Orphanage extended their heartfelt gratitude for the donations and looked forward to the continued visit of the PCL during their tour of duty to bring joy to the orphans and deprived children under their care.

It was a gesture in line with what Mother Teresa once described: “It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”  The Philippine military, through the able leadership of their Contingent Commander, Col. Glicerio Peralta (PAF), promised to return to the orphanage to be able to share more blessings to these underprivileged members of the community. They hope that in their own little way they would be able to make some difference in the lives of these Liberian children and volunteers.