A few months ago, the Casa Esperanza of Angels Foundation mission site was a vast sugarcane field. Now, through the relentless effort of Ron and Gigi Brown and the unwavering support of our donors and supporters, we are happy to report that we have made much progress on the orphanage facility we’re building, a cornerstone project of our Orphan Care Program.
The front wall, including the entrance gate, is almost complete. The right side security wall that extends all the way to the back of the property will be done in a few weeks. The water well had been excavated and now there is fresh water supply on the site.
Today, February 24th, 2017, marks another milestone for the Casa Esperanza of Angels orphanage project in Tanjay City, Philippines. Today, is groundbreaking day for the first of four children’s homes planned inside the orphan care facility.
Architect Rainier Garcia, who designed the layout of the orphanage, explains the significance of the event:
“This is the groundbreaking for the first house, the children’s house number one. Hopefully, this is the official groundbreaking for all the structural buildings here inside the site.
So, this is the location of the children’s house. We have the building permit already. This was issued last February 16, 2017.”
Architect Garcia estimates that the building will be completed within three to four months.
Soon the invited guests started to arrive and Ron and Gigi were soon busy answering some of their questions about the orphanage.
Finally, the program got underway and after the prayer, CEA Managing Director Ron Brown made the welcome remarks and thanked everyone for gracing the occasion:
“We’re very honored that each one of you can take a few minutes of your day to be with us this morning.”
Tanjay City Vice-Mayor Dr. Jovencio Bumanglag, praised Ron and Gigi for starting this project in Tanjay City, calling the couple “angels” for bringing hope to the orphans of Negros Island.
“This is a good project. So, whether we like it or not, the LGU of Tanjay City will really help promote this project, do what we really need to do.”
The Vice-Governor of Negros oriental province, Dr. Mark Macias, also spoke about the need for an orphanage facility in the province.
Atty. Froilan Pinili, the Assistant Provincial Administrator for the Province of Negros Oriental represented the governor during the occasion.
“All you need to do is to coordinate, you can write a letter to the Office of the Governor” advised Atty. Pinili, “so that it will be included in the agenda of the meetings of the Local Council for the Protection of Children.”
Soon, after everyone delivered their messages, it was time for the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. CEA Managing Director Ron Brown was joined by CEA President Elmer Palacio, San Isidro Barangay Captain Rufino Reyes, Jr., Tanjay City Vice-Mayor Bumanglag, Atty. Pinili, and Vice-Governor Mark Macias in breaking ground for the facility.
Barangay Captain Rufino Reyes, Jr. of Barangay San Isidro, Tanjay City sees the planned orphanage facility as both a source of pride and a big challenge for them to help orphans in their jurisdiction.
“It’s our pride and challenge, that’s why we wholeheartedly support the orphanage, Casa Esperanza of Angels being constructed right here in our barangay.”
Casa Esperanza of Angels President Elmer Palacio for his part welcomed the support being extended by the local government.
“We are so much thankful to God because through Casa Esperanza of Angels Foundation Incorporated, we can also do our part in partnering with this government in helping the orphans, not only here in the Visayas, but also in the whole country, our country Philippines.”
As soon as the first children’s home is up, construction will commence on another building that will serve as the administration hub for the orphanage. Managing Director Ron Brown estimates that the facility will be operational in six months.
“We’re very thankful for our donors, our very generous donors. Without them, none of these would happen. We get their constant support and we are encouraged by them following our work on Facebook and our website. We’re just very appreciative for their support for this work.
Of course, we continue to need more funding. We have many structures planned for this facility and in order to do that, we need continued funding. We may have enough funds for the first home but after that, we will need continued funding to keep the construction going at this pace.”