RIP RACHEL (Chi Chi) SULATAN.

It's with great sadness that I inform all my readers and followers that Rachel passed on yesterday 2nd July 2013 at 1,30pm. Rachel has been ill for sometime and born her illness with much courage and dignity. Over the years Rachel along with her husband Fred has lovingly cared for many children who has passed through their cottage and I'm sure she will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. I would like to personally thank all those who assisted Rachel with donations during her illness which was greatly appreciated by the Sulatan family.

UPDATE ON RACHEL (Chi Chi) SULATAN.

First let me say sorry to all of my readers for not bringing my blog up to date for some time. The reason for this is twofold as I have been very busy with other projects and we travelled back to the UK to visit our son and daughter in law and have only just returned to the Philippines.

To all those who have shown concern about Chi Chi’s medical condition and have contacted me privately concerning the same here is an update. This morning Marilou and I visited Chi Chi at her cottage and discovered she is now confined to her bed. She finds it less painful to recline than sit up. Chi Chi as usual was wearing a brave face but when you know someone for as long as I’ve known her it’s not difficult to realise she is suffering despite her best efforts to prove otherwise. It’s at times like this I wish I had a magic wand and make her well again but I have not and can only hope and pray for her to be comfortable. Like all long time medical patients here in the Philippines it costs money for medication and it’s to this end I humbly ask you to please help in any way you can. Her medication amounts to around PHP 1,000.00 per day that’s $25.00, £15.00 or Euro 18.50. Chi Chi is having to take morphine every 8 hours in order to endure and this is using up the majority of the daily medicine spend.

I just wish I was able to give you better news but it’s not within my power to do so and all I can ask is for your kind assistance in kind and in prayer. If you feel you can possibly help Chi Chi please contact me at jcjimc@aol.com and I will give you details on how to send a donation which will go direct to Chi Chi. As I mentioned previously I have informed Chi Chi of those who contacted me regarding her condition and she thanks you all for your best wishes and kind thoughts.

YEAR END MESSAGE

It’s that time of the year again when our thoughts are with our loved ones past and present. Bethany has had its ups and downs this year but the struggle continues and we have somehow survived. Several of our children have recently gone overseas to be with their adoptive parents and we wish them all the best in their new homes and countries. Its seeing the joy on the faces of the children with their new adoptive parents that make life all worthwhile for myself and the staff at Bethany, long may it continue. I would like to also thank all of you who have given both financially and spiritually to us here at Bethany as without your invaluable help we would not be able to continue.

Once again a very big thank you to all those who have supported the children and staff and on behalf of everyone at Bethany may we wish you a joyous Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Mixed Emotions.

It’s every member of Staffs dream at Bethany to have their wards placed in the care of loving parents, whereby they can go off to whatever part of the world and enjoy a new and fulfilling life. This week it was the turn of Angelo and his sister Criselda to do just that. Tony and Christine Fazzini travelled from their home in Adelaide, Australia to Manila to finalize the necessary paperwork and then on to Talakag to collect their new son and daughter. Tony and Christine had already been keeping me up to date regarding the progress of their adoption process and Marilou and I were excited to meet them on arrival at Bethany. Immediately on meeting Tony and Christine we knew what wonderful parents they will make for Angelo and Criselda after watching them interact with their new son and daughter.

The children view a specially prepared scrapbook showing them their new home and family.

 As is customary before leaving Bethany the children and class mates of Angelo and Criselda held a farewell party which actually was also an early lunch. About 30 children attended the send-off as well as members of the teaching staff and after prayers the children sang a special send off song for Angelo and Criselda and Angelo sung a solo song in response. There was hardly a dry eye in the house after his rendition and watching Tony and Christine they were so proud of his effort.

The class mates of Angelo and Criselda sing a special farewell song to them

Angelo sings solo.

Greg Longcob the CEO of Bethany made a speech about how Bethany cherish people like Tony and Christine who by their love of children make the self-sacrifice of offering a loving and truly Christian home and life to our children here. Tony responded on behalf of Christine and himself by saying that he was overwhelmed by the love that’s given to the children at Bethany despite all the hardships encountered. He went on to compare what children have in the developed world with the children he has met here and concluded that the children at Bethany were a lot happier with a lot less. Tony thanked the staff for all their hard work and dedication and promised to keep us updated with Angelo and Criselda’s progress in Australia.

Mr Tony Fanzzini responds to Mr Greg Longcob's speach.

Proud father and daughter

Loving mother and son 

 Bethany would like to wish Angelo and Criselda and their older brother Jason Fazzini a happy and fruitful life in Adelaide. Once again Tony and Christine it’s been our pleasure to meet you and to know that Angelo and Criselda have wonderful and loving parents.

The Fazzini family will spend a few days in Manila and leave on Sunday evening to return to Australia.

AN UPDATE ON RACHEL SULATAN

A short while ago I wrote about Rachel (Chi chi) Sulatan having to go into hospital for Radiology treatment and Chemotherapy in Davao. Following her treatment she wanted to return to Bethany to be beside her family and friends so as soon as she was well enough to make the journey she returned home. The day after she returned to Bethany we set off for Bohol to attend our niece's wedding so never got the opportunity to visit Rachael until this morning.

                                                        

Rachel has remained positive and is a credit to herself and family as well as the children who live in her cottage. Although those who know her know she is unwell, that spark still remains in her eyes and radiates when she smiles, albeit with difficulty under her present circumstances. Words fail me as of now to express my true feelings for Rachel’s situation so I will let the photograph of Rachel and I speak for itself. Rachel currently has a spend of 5,000 pesos per week ($122.00) (£75.50) (€95.00) on medication and with Bethany’s limited funds it is becoming a struggle to find. Can I please ask you once more wherever you are too kindly help a truly wonderful person in her time of need.  It does not have to be a big amount that you have to give as collectively we will I’m sure be able to raise sufficient on a monthly basis to pay her medication bills.

If you contact me direct jcjimc@aol.com  I will give you instructions on how to forward your donation as there is no foreign exchange account here or means to draw on a personal cheque (Check).

56 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG.

Rose and Rita entertain the audience at the start of the ceremony

 

This morning my wife Marilou and I attended the 56th Founders Day celebration at Bethany Christian School for Children. Each year the children from kinder grade to 4th Year High School celebrate the founding of the school by way of various competitions including sports and subject related challenges. The students are divided into four groups or teams and they challenge each other to find out who is the best overall. The team with the most points at the end of the four day competition is declared the winner with prizes given in each category. Competition is fierce with very high standards being achieved amongst the competitors. The completion will start tomorrow proper and last till Thursday with the prize giving on Friday to conclude the celebrations.

A section of the Students and their Parents.

 

BCSC was started in 1956 to provide an education for the then children of Bethany Christian Home for Children and soon expanded to provide kinder, elementary and high school education for a sizable number of students in the Talakag area until now.

                                                                   The Teaching Staff Choir

Rachel Needs Your Help Urgently.

The Children saying goodbye to Rachel before going to Kinder School this morning.

 

When we returned to Talakag from the UK at the beginning of this week I received an e-mail message from Rachel Sulatan’s daughter Astrid to inform me that her mother was ill and required my assistance. Today we visited Bethany to deliver some books donated by our friends Agnes and Don Black currently living in Scotland for the children’s library so took the opportunity to visit Rachel.

I knew from the moment I saw her that something was amiss and that she was not looking well. After the customary greetings Rachel informed us that she has been diagnosed as having cancer. I was totally devastated in hearing this news as I know Rachel is a pillar of Bethany’s child care system having been a staff member for over thirty years (30) and a houseparent since 1988.

Having known Rachel or Chi Chi as she is affectionately called since I became involved at Bethany I do appreciate the tremendous work that she has done over the years caring for the numerous children that have passed through her cottage as well as those who are still there with her as of now. There are many adoptive parents all around the world who have met Rachel either when they came to Bethany to collect their new wards or have visited since with them as they grew up.

Without beating about the bush Rachel requires your financial help in order for her to receive the necessary medical care and treatment for her condition. Neither Bethany nor Rachel has the financial reserves to cover the cost of her treatment which will involve receiving radio-therapy as well as chemo-therapy and prescription medicine. Rachel’s treatment will be administered in either Davao or Cebu as Cagayan de Oro does not have the required facilities.

Since this treatment will start soon can I please appeal to all of you out there who know Rachel and are willing to donate to her care no matter how much or little you are able to give, any amount will be greatly appreciated. I promise to give regular updates on Rachel’s progress and condition.

Initially the cost of her treatment, travel and after care is estimated at $10,000.00 and all donations can be either sent through me or direct to Bethany, bank details will be given to those wishing to donate by contacting me direct at jcjimc@aol.com.

I hope and pray that this urgent appeal will reach out to as many people as possible and Rachel will receive her medical care without delay.