Elsie Gaches Village celebrated 56 years of providing care and rehabilitation to abandoned and neglected children with special needs with the theme, “Pagkalingang Pangkaisipan, Kasangkapan ng Kabataan sa Kinabukasan ” which was held on February 14, 2020 at the Elsie Gaches Village Covered Hall.
The program started with the graceful and heartfelt doxology by the selected residents of Elsie Gaches Village followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.
One of EGV residents was also given an opportunity to share her story. Analee Sarino of San Ramon Cottage gave her speech of gratification saying, “Ako at ang aking mga kapwa natatanging bata ng Elsie Gaches Village ay nagagalak at walang patid ang pasasalamat sa aming puso sa lahat ng inyong mga tulong. Kami ay inyong inaalagaan upang mapabuti ang bawat aspeto ng aming buhay pangkalusugan at pangkaisipan. Kung wala ang mga taong kagaya ninyo, hindi namin alam ang magiging aming buhay. Sa aking karanasan sa loob ng institusyong ito, marami akong nasaksihan na sakripisyo at pag-aaruga ng aming mga mahal na houseparent at iba pang staff. Umulan o bumagyo man, sila ay nariyan sa aming tabi.
Ang holiday ay kanilang isinasantabi at ang sariling pamilya para sa kapakanan naming lahat. Sa espesyal na araw na ito kasama ninyo kami sa inyong mga tagumpay at muli, kami ay nagpapasalamat sa walang humpay ninyong pag- aalaga at suporta sa amin. DSWD, Sisters, aming mga benefactors, lalo’t higit sa mga kawaning taos- pusong tumanggap sa amin bilang pamilya, maraming salamat po at mabuhay po tayong lahat.”
She extended her gratitude to the Friends of EGV, Sisters of Charity of St. Anne and to other benefactors who had been helping them for the longest time, and also the staff of Elsie Gaches Village who whole heartedly gave them support, love, and most importantly a home and a family to rely on.
The celebration also served as a venue to recognize the staff of the Center for their untiring support and dedicated passion to serve the mentally challenged persons. And for their exemplary contribution to the operation of EGV, some of the awards given include Best Houseparent, Focal Person and Senior staff.
Regional Director Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas graced the momentous event and shared, “Magandang araw sa ating lahat unang una gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa inyong lahat sa pagdalo sa espesyal na araw na ito para sa ating mga espesyal na residente ng Elsie Gaches Village. Lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa lahat ng nag aalaga at walang sawang umiintindi sa bawat kabataan na naririto sa ating center, ang puso ko ay lubos na nagagalak at humihingi pa ng inyong patuloy na suporta upang sa mas ikabubuti at ikaaayos ng buhay at kinabukasan n gating mga residente.”
This celebration ended with the closing message of Mr. Jericho D. Medel, Psychologist I and the chairperson of the 56th Anniversary of EGV where he highlighted the struggles and fulfilment of serving the residents of the institution “Ang maglingkod sa mga batang pinagpala ng EGV ay matatawag mong malaking achievement mo sa buhay sapagkat di matutumbasan ng anuman salapi ang ganitong gawain.” Medel stated
Elsie Gaches Village is the only government residential care facility for mentally challenged persons. It provides care and rehabilitation to abandoned, neglected children with special needs such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, visual and hearing impairment, mental retardation, autism and other related conditions. ###