This month, the rainy seasons started in the Philippines. At 8 am this morning, there were pitch black clouds in the sky, lightning and thunder. It was raining heavily all the way to Bustos in Bulacan, where the orphanage of San Martin the Porres (SMDP) is located. Rain and ghist slowed down the motor vehicles. The lush beauty of the rice paddies compensated for the slow traffic though. I was going to be late for the meeting. By rhe time we arrived, Father Boyet had already opened it, Grace and Clarisse, the two Girls Leaders during an Intervention

The range of topics covered was wide. For the next school year, all polos were to be replaced by T-shirts which are easier to wash and did not need to be ironed. SMDP would replace shoes with flip-flops for the kids for the rainy season. The wear and tear on other shoes is too great. Recycling and litter policy were discussed. The duties of the newly elected house leaders were on the agenda. In every house, the children appoint a representative from their ranks. Father Boyet informed about the ongoing repair work in the Comedor (dining hall) and the upcoming upgrades of all cottages with electric fans. The teachers informed about the support measures for children who fall behind in class and a new code of conduct led to a lively exchange.Geraldo, the elected leader of the 72 Boys during an Intervention

The General Meeting takes time to prepare and attend but is a good forum for house parents, teachers, program managers and youth leaders who all table their issues to find solutions. As the operation of SMDP gets more complex, there is a need for more cooperation and coordination. Of the 72 boys and 45 girls currently living in SMDP, 22 are special needs children. Many suffer from attention deficit disorder, bi-polar conditions or autism. They now live all next to the church to optimise the care they get.Teachers listeb to the Discussion at the Meeting.

Another good example is the "work-in-Japan" program. The preparation of our teenager for living abroad requires careful preparation from teachers, house parents and program coordinators. A few months ago, the first 3 SMDP students successfully passed the J5 language test. They are now waiting for their visas and passports to fly to Japan. Their jobs are in farming and care taking. Overseas they earn the equivalent of USD 1'400.- per month - 5 x more than in the Philippines. Our "foreign workers" put 1/3 of their salary into a mandatory savings account which they get back upon return. The rest is remitted to parents or siblings in the Philippines. SMDP has another 9 teenager ready for the J5 language test and hopes they will be able to take it soon.The Tranquility and Peace at SMDP is the Base of all Efforts to prepare our orphans for a happy and successrul life.

Whilst most of SMDP's activities take place in the idyllic orphanage in Bustos, the scholarship program covers external children from poor families who are intact but need financial assistance. There are now 200 young students enrolled. Thanks to a wealthy friend from the USA who donated a significant amount last year, the program is now stably funded and its future guranteed. The Road Sign we put up 20 Years ago during the Inauguration of the first Cottage

The general meeting ended with a prayer just before lunch. Whilst sitting around the table, we noticed that our venture is exactly 20 years old this summer. We toasted on this important jubilee with a big mug of freshly brewed coffee.