The majority of children (and adults) around the world have been spending most of their waking hours inside their homes to keep away from the possibilities of COVID-19 infection. One does not need to guess how they spend their time when not attending their online classes. Netflix, Switch, mobile & computer games, YouTube, SNS, Apple Music, or Spotify, maybe just being a couch potato or whatnot.

One of the goals of the Residential Care Program is to spread smiles to the kids. Giving cheer has become especially important during the pandemic. The ResCare staff knows that a little thing goes a long way. So they celebrate the kids' birthdays, without fail. For the kids, a simple celebration is not just an event but a memory.

The usual art activities that teachers give to students are not just about knowing the basics of art. It is also therapy. For some, who needs therapy with a busy social calendar? But that's not how it works.

Play is the language of children. And play areas provide a break from the sufferings of poverty, child neglect, and abuse prevalent among those living in poverty. Kids get to experience peer interactions and opportunities for self-expression. Various therapeutic activities and games are held in the playroom. This is why the Residential Care home is excited to continue restocking and fixing the said areas with play items for all ages, especially during this pandemic and with the holiday season approaching.

In the SPECS Foundation’s Residential Care home, they saw the need to put the kids’ spiritual care at the forefront. This is also part of their goal which is to nurture kids with a holistic view. They believe that kids need their spirituality and moral values nurtured thoughtfully by empathic adults. Spirituality, morality, religion, and ethics are interwoven. Most spiritual belief systems touch on the sanctity of life, respect and care for the family, community, and others.

This COVID-19 pandemic brought with it its twin: New Normal. By now, six months into the global crisis, the whole world has slowly adjusted to living with the coronavirus. This comes with the hope that, one day, all nations will be safe healthwise. Now that the new normal is the only way people can continue on with their lives, many have sought ways to adjust. Some companies were kind enough to let their employees work from home, some workers were given free shuttle service or room & board in the workplace. The others were not so lucky. A large chunk of the percentage of the unemployed can be attributed to the pandemic due to companies and businesses closing down.

In the last blog, everything seemed to be all sunny and smiles for the Residential Care. Every kid sounded like they were able to cope with the sudden changes in the delivery of lessons. Now that there is a new normal in education in the Philippines (and the rest of the world), everyone’s trying to grapple with this new challenge. But the ResCare kids started preparing for the new school year way before schools are about to open. Instead of being apprehensive, they’re excited about it.