Upon arriving in Davao City on January 17, 1998, the SMAC Sisters served the Parish of Toril and took charge of the CARITAS. Witnessing the living condition of the poor parishioners and families who are unable to provide treatment for sick members; the presence of out-of-school children due to economic incapacity resulting for most of them to wander on the streets; very poor living condition resulting to malnutrition, lacking in hygiene and low morale; extreme poverty and factors that contribute for the children to be exposed to violence and sexual abuses. These observations have led the SMAC to gather those children and provided them with a home. The Sorelle Missionarie dell'Amore di Cristo, Inc. (SMAC) manned and operated by the SMAC Sisters or the ( Missionary Sisters of the Love of Christ). It is a non-government Child institution that is a non-stock and non-profit organization focusing on abandoned, neglected, and orphans needing immediate medical and health care services. The institution officially opened on the Feast day of Saint Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus.
The Mother Foundress of the Community Madre Nanda Giamberardini, SMAC envisioned to upgrade the quality of service provided for those children by re-aligning the programs and concretize its services to prepare the center as an independent institution, thus the establishment of the Sorelle Missionarie dell'Amore Di Cristo, Incorporated which is formerly known as the Providence Home of St. Joseph Davao Inc.
The vision of the institution is to produce: Socially adjusted and psychologically developed children, spiritually mature, living and practicing Christian values, sharing their faith with their peers, and enjoying the fullness of life.
The mission of SMAC is to: Seek out the neglected, abandoned, and orphaned children in the streets, allow them to improve their lives through education; restore their dignity as human beings by giving them a home where they can feel love and care, receive spiritual and values formation to nurture and strengthen their integral human development.
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Location: Purok 6 Habana Compound 8022 Tugbok Davao City
Institution Head: Sr.Luzviminda C. Pepito, SMAC
Contact Details: 09432466811; 082 - 2930949; srluzvimindacpepito@gmail.com
Social Media Page: Click the facebook logo to find and contact sister Luz Pepito.
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The following services and programs are provided to our residents, whom we call Kids. Education- we send our children to school from kinder to college. However, the college-level depends on scholarships and sponsorships.
We source-out our sponsors from both local and international communities/individuals. Right now, this sponsorship has dwindled due to the pandemic. We also provide various medical assistance/services to our Kids. One of our main objectives to provide psychological assistance to our Kids. Especially to our kids who experienced abuse or has trauma.
We also train our kids to consider SMAC as their home and family. From this training, we teach them livelihood activities such as cooking, baking and many more. We also have a covered court where our kids can play and programs/activities are held. Finally, we focus also on the Spiritual Upliftment of our Kids by joining the rosaries and the Holy Eucharist.
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Programs and Services
Kids and Other Residents
Residential-Based
1-5-year-olds - 2 Individual
6-12-year-olds - 18 Individuals
13-19-year-olds - 6 Individuals
20-50-year-olds - 2 individuals
Sectoral Data
Education Facilities Near the Institution
Tugbok Central Elementary School
Mintal Comprehensive High School
St. John Paul II College (although this nowhere near the institution we prefer to list it down since we send our Kids here for college education)
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Health Facilities Near the Institution
Alexian Brothers Health & Wellness Center
St.Therese Clinic of Mintal
The common illnesses of our kids are cough, allergies, and running nose. Also, they have a low immune system which causes them to infect each other whenever one of them catches a cold.
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Livelihood-Source of the Institution
We train our Kidson bread making, juice making, baking, and cooking of Filipino snacks or kakanins.
For the institution, our main source of funds is coming from both local and international funding. However, the sisters-in-charge are always struggling to make ends meet. The pandemic has worsened our conditions because it has crippled the livelihood of most of our sponsors as well. A practical example is our telephone line might be cut off due to missed payment (by July of 2020).
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Socio-Cultural Information
Mostly our Kids are Bisaya-speaking and Ilonggo (Hiligaynon speakers). Our Kids are also trained to speak the local language, Filipino and English.
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State of the Environment
We try our best to teach the children how to disposed of the wastes accordingly but often times the children cannot maintain the cleanliness of our home.
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Peace and Order
So far our home is located in a peaceful place. Although our neighborhood is well known for petty thieves. Mintal Police Station is the nearest authority we can approach. Our Barangay Tanod and Purok Leader help us maintain the peace also.
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Existing Organizations involved in the Institution
Ateneo de Davao University Junior High School Community - students for their regular program, parents, and faculty.
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Records of Past Interventions
Repainting of the toys and recreational area, making fence by the AdDU Junior High and Irish students from Ireland.
Challenges and Needs
What common problems/pressing issues found in the community/institution?
We need psychological assessment for the children but we can't afford to pay because this is too expensive. Not only for one session but until the kid fully recovers and will become mindful about all his/ her issues.
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What are the current problems/pressing issues currently encountered by the community/institution in relation to the Covid19 Pandemic?
The institution is living in God's s Providence so we are dependent on all our benefactors, sponsors, donors, and donation in cash or in kind. But usually, in God's grace, we receive sacks of rice often but we need also money to pay the bills for utilities and other expenses too.
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Based on the identified problems/issues, what are the perceived needs of the community? In addition, what are the possible interventions to these issues could the community/institution implement?
Renovation of our building since we are in rainy seasons so oftentimes water flowed down (drips) by the roofs and enter into the house.
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How can the partnership (between ADDU JHS and the community) assist in the implementation of possible intervention?
Good! we are happy and blessed for your continuous support especially for the efforts of ADDU Parents and Teachers Council. Perhaps the best thing Ateneo JHS provided the institution with is the tutorial program for the academic development of our Kids.
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How can the community/institution assist the ADDU JHS students?
We try our best to be able to respond to their curiosity/needs and questions about our center. We are also present whenever they implement their programs or activities.
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Name and designation of the person who answered this form?
Sr.Luzviminda C.Pepito,SMAC