5 March 2010

WHAT’S NEW

          Today marks the 24^th anniversary of the arrival of the Amigonian Fathers and Brothers in the Philippines.  On 5 March 1986 the congregation sent Fr. Donato Gatto, TC and Bro. Luis Ortiz, TC to start the Amigonian missions in this country.  On 16 July 1986 Fr. Francisco Javier Cabezas arrived to join Fr. Donato and Bro. Luis in preparing the ground for the establishment of the Amigonian’s Philippine mission. 

          In May 1991 Friendship Home Fr. Luis Amigo was started in Makati in fulfillment of the Amigonian Fathers and Brothers’ charism to look after the welfare and development of children who are lost. “Lost” encompasses the plight of children in need of special protection;  the inability of families to care for them and provide for their basic needs; and the failure of local and national social, economic and political structures to address their needs,  thereby making the children’s sector the single biggest marginalized sector in Philippine society.

          Since Friendship Home was established eighteen years ago, it continues to provide long term residential and center-based services to at least one hundred children and youth annually. Slowly but surely, scores of Friendship Home children are breaking away from the chains of poverty which for so long have kept generations before them in bondage. “Education is the Key” to the fulfillment of their hopes and dreams.  Education is the  unifying thread in all Friendship Home’s programs and services.