“I feel so sad because all the plants that we planted and took good care of are gone.” -Benjamin
“I was sad because the beautiful things in the round home were destroyed and the animals were killed by the typhoon, and so was the beautiful tree house. All I want is to help restore the Round Home’s beauty.” -Julieta
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Last week, Typhoon Glenda wrought havoc in many places. At our White Home for boys, sliding glass doors were blasted by the strong wind. At the Round Home, the farm and our treehouse was largely destroyed.
In this business I try to see everything as a potential for therapy, for restoration, even the tragedies, or especially the tragedies. I “get hold” of the feelings, as expressed by the girls and boys, and watch to make sure that these feelings slowly evolve into something more reformative, more constructive, and more empowering feelings and resolutions that will change the child forever.
For instance, if the children are able to help in restoring the Round Home and see the Round Home recover and regain its beauty because of the children’s efforts and handiwork, then that would be a tremendous boost to their self-esteem, self-confidence, and sense of ability to transform and reconstruct everything, including themselves, into a more positive, more beautiful being.
I am thrilled to see the coming days of rebuilding, reconstruction, and restoration… in more ways than one.
