Bits and Pieces From The Last Three Months

It's been a while between blogs, so here's a bit of a catch up of what's been happening in the months of July, August and September.

There have been many comings and goings, particularly in the last two weeks. At one stage we were up to 35 kids, then down to 28 and we are currently at 31.

It has been great to see kids who were here temporarily for medical reasons able to go home to their families again.

Please enjoy these snapshots of life at Ruel Foundation.

On August 13, the kids received a health check-up from the Oriental Mindoro Medical Society (OMMS). They were all in the same room together which doesn't happen often, so these pics are probably as close as we'll get to a "group picture"


                                    

 

On September 15, Kuya David took full advantage of having a class of 4 and took the schoolkids to the local supermarket to do some "money maths." We traipsed the aisles, writing down prices and were well-behaved. We finished with a trip upstairs to the department store, where Christmas sales are already in full-swing - in September!

Some of the new arrivals:

8-year-old Mr J, arrived September 16th

3-month-old Baby Girl C, arrived September 19th

2-month-old Baby Boy R, arrived September 16th

3-year-old Little Miss E (returned to her family)

Baby Boy J (returned to his family)

Baby Boy S (returned to his family)

1-year-old Baby Girl J, arrived August 15th

Going to the bubs upstairs always provides some interesting photo opportunities. They can sometimes be a serious and intense bunch, especially when the TV is on.

All lined up ready for dinner! Little Miss L (third from left) is a little bit outnumbered by all the lads

An empty cupboard is a favourite hiding place

Whenever Kuya David goes upstairs, he is greeted by a bunch of little people grabbing his legs, wanting to be picked up. On this occasion Baby A got there first.

Little Mr I, a picture of absolute joy!

Little Miss S loves a photo op :)

Baby A

Little Mr I

Baby E and Baby M enjoying some merienda

Little Miss R and Baby A are posing, but they are waiting to be picked up

Baby M is reacting to not being picked up. I only have two arms!! 

Baby M

Baby E

                                    

Baby S and Baby C thought it would be a good idea to just waddle into Mama Pauline's office and check out what was in these boxes.

Here is Kuya David with our resident lawn mowers. This piece of land opposite Ruel used to resemble a forest or a jungle. Get a couple of munchers in, problem solved!

We went on a trip to the local recycling depot, or "junk shop." All that cardboard got us a grand total of 26 pesos (about 60 cents)

 

On a trip to McDo

The schoolkids were watching a Christian kids show from the 1990s called "McGee and Me." Mr J decided he would like to draw McGee, copied straight from the computer screen. The likeness is amazing!

In August, Miss M spent three weeks on a special holiday in the US, staying with a family and having some amazing experiences. 

Miss R and Mr J, proud finishers of a jigsaw puzzle on a Friday afternoon. It's great when they work together!

Miss M (front row, white shirt) and Mr P (glasses, karate pose) at Sunday School