A culture of tears, hope, and caring: 21 years of CHILD Haus

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — In a better world, universal healthcare and a functional healthcare system would provide even the economically challenged with access to state-subsidized medication and treatment. However, here in the Philippines, institutions such as CHILD Haus continue to be the proverbial fountain of hope for so many.

Thanks to its founder, Ricky Reyes, and fully championed and supported by SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Chairman of the Executive Committee, Hans Sy, CHILD Haus exists as a beacon of hope for those who have exhausted all tears — a timely reminder that there are people who care and understand that their own good fortune is a blessing best served by caring and sharing.

The stories of CHILD Haus share a common thread of hope and the caring that abounds within the establishment. There's a tradition of lending a helping hand that stretches back to Mr. Henry Sy, Sr., and that torch has now been passed on to Mr. Hans and his own children.

It's about cases of cancer-stricken children and promoting a culture that says some prayers are answered. The tales of courage of Aya, Laura, and Jessa serve as testimonials to the culture of hope that CHILD Haus wants to foster. And if there are very special friends picked up along the way, then so be it.

Aya was born with a liquefied brain tumor. Soon after her birth in June 2011, her ophthalmologist noticed a growth near her eye but initially, it was not diagnosed as a tumor. Her subsequent weight loss, withdrawal from play and study, led to a biopsy and the discovery of the brain tumor. Aya's condition reached a crisis point in November 2022, with her body functions shutting down.

CHILD Haus became the answer, and Aya finished her chemotherapy cycle and underwent radiation after being admitted to this 'home'. Aya's mother, Jasmine, is forever grateful for how CHILD Haus literally saved her daughter's life. Ricky adds that Aya is the life of the party, interacting with other children and being a constant source of joy.

Laura was born in 2005, had a growth blocking her anus, and almost died. She was treated for colon cancer through regular surgery, and it was perennially a struggle for her parents to raise money for these operations. Her mother worked as an Overseas Filipino Worker abroad, taking two to three-year contracts to help raise the money for Laura's medical care.

In 2016, an emergency forced her father to improvise a stretcher on a tricycle to bring her to the Emergency Ward of the nearest hospital. A new growth in her neck in 2020 meant she now also had a thyroid condition. As Laura herself says, she's had a truly colorful life, and her admission to CHILD Haus, where along with the medical procedure, both housing and food are given for free, was the godsend her family so badly needed.

In 2008, Jessa, then 13 years old, was diagnosed with ovarian teratoma. At one point, she thought she would die and as the eldest in the family, committed to getting better, underwent surgery and chemotherapy, and felt strong enough to enter college. In her 2nd year in college, there was one day when she couldn't move her body, and doctors practically gave up on her, suggesting to her parents to bring her back to Quezon. This was 2015 and life in Quezon helped her feel stronger, and her goal was to help her community even if unsure about her life span.

By 2019, Jessa had passed the board exam, was a professional teacher and applied to the Department of Education. So, there she was, qualified, but because of the cancer, she wouldn't be hired. She turned to styling balloons and party favors, as a means to raise money, to buy her medicine and travel to Manila for treatment. A nationally televised passenger ship accident was her fate, a floating styrofoam her lifesaver. She would be featured on the news shows as the shipping disaster survivor suffering from stage 4 Ovarian cancer.

Brought to CHILD Haus after she came out in the news, she would soon discover that her admission to CHILD Haus was on the special request of a certain person who had heard of her plight. Treatment meant a substantial reduction of the tumor via surgery, in February of this year. Post operation, Mr. Hans sought her out and would visit her regularly to remind her to never lose hope. It's a lesson she has gratefully learned, and she considers Mr. Sy to be her guardian angel here on Earth. Find inspiration in Jessa's remarkable journey by watching her video story below.

Talking about his long association with CHILD Haus and its 21-year history, Ricky proudly explains why this cause is very dear to his heart. There are now two CHILD Haus 'homes' — one in Quezon City and one in Manila, beside the Philippine General Hospital. At any one point in time, you'll find up to 130 children housed with their mothers. If it's an infant, both parents are allowed to be with the child. Food and shelter are provided, and the presence of the parent ensures that the child is accompanied when visiting the doctor or undergoing medical procedures.

For Ricky, it's about finding those cases where hope has diminished, if not blacked out, and finding answers to the prayers of these children and their parents. Ricky acknowledges the crucial role played by Mr. Hans in all of this, from finding a new home for CHILD Haus a decade ago to dropping by at least once a month to ensure the upkeep and maintenance is kept to a high standard.

Tears, hope, and caring are all about being compassionate. And let's note how the word 'passion' is found within 'compassionate' — as the passion to help others, and to make it one's mission is easily misunderstood nowadays, as some individuals use charity to bestow themselves with a badge of honor. But when we see individuals and families dedicating years and decades to this pursuit, that's truly the time to appreciate their commitment to this mission of hope.

To know more about inspiring stories and events at SM, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media.