Child Welfare Department

The Philippines is one of the most densely populated countries in South-East Asia. Birth rates have fallen in recent years, and also the death rates. More than a third of the population is under 15 years. In the Philippines 25,23 % of the population has an income below the countries poverty index and 13,5 % of the population is malnourished and prone to illnesses, stunting, mental delays etc.

Maternal and Child Health Care

The Children’s Mission is running two Health Care Clinics located in the main building at Hills of Grace center and the other is at the San Isidro center, both in Rodriguez, Rizal. They target children under 6 years’ old which is the age when they are susceptible to many diseases and are vulnerable to health issues. Here they are screened by a pediatrician and provided treatment if needed. Pregnant mothers come in for check-ups and health teaching is given. We are offering our services for everyone but are asking for a socialized fee.

Child Nutritional Program (CNP)

Child Malnutrition is quite common in the Philippines. In some areas 25-70 % of the children 0-6 years old has a weigh below normal. The causes can be lack of money to buy food, sickness, but most common is the lack of education/knowledge on healthy food. Presently we have a target to reach out to approximately 2000 families a year. This is done through a Timbang (weighing) intervention in the community.  All the children that are found to be malnourished will receive a package of different interventions. Malnutrition in children, ages 0-6 years, has several serious consequences for the development of a child. Especially it is important to start the 1000 first days in the life in a good way to be able to have a normal physical and mentally development.

The physical problems of malnutrition include not growing in height as normal children do. A malnourished child will easily fall sick and because of weakness and might even die from a common curable disease like diarrhea, pneumonia or measles.  These children also do not perform as well in school which is a serious consequence for their future. The malnutrition can be addressed in several different ways. One of them is teaching mothers, fathers and caregivers proper and healthy food choices. Some children need to be include in a feeding program for 120 days. 2017 the program is funded by the Swedish church.

Open Heart Children’s Village (OHCV)

At Hills of Grace center, we have the Open Heart Children´s Village (OHCV). A place where we can cater 80 children who have been either orphaned, abandoned, neglected or come from extremely difficult circumstances and have no other solution to their plight. The children live together in a family like environment (8 children and house parents in one house) and are offered love, nursing, food, education, counselling and the physical and spiritual nourishment they need to grow up to be happy and fulfilled adults. The program is mainly sponsored by Biltema, Hymer and private sponsors in Sweden and Norway.