U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Philip S. Goldberg, celebrated Thanksgiving Day with residents and staff of Haven for Children, DSWD Assistant Secretary Teodulo R. Romo Jr., and DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan on November 25, 2014 in Muntinlupa City.

Some 111 children-residents of the center had lunch with Ambassador Goldberg who also distributed coloring books, notepads and crayons as his gift to the children.

Meanwhile, the clients entertained the guests with their dance number to the rhythm of “Kahimanawari” and speech choir performance of the poem entitled “The Wind and the Moon” by George MacDonald.

According to Ambassador Goldberg, he celebrated Thanksgiving Day, an American tradition, with the residents of the said center in order to share this experience and his blessings received so the children will be able to share this to others as well, in the future.

This event was memorable for the children as it was their first time to taste roasted turkey, a symbolic dish for thanksgiving in the United States of America.

Established in January 15, 2004, Haven for Children is a temporary shelter managed by DSWD-NCR which provides healing and empowerment for male children aged 7-13 who were living/working on the street and needs recovery from substance abuse.### (DSWD FO-NCR, Social Marketing Office November 27,2014)