CRIBS–a surfeit of babies, kisses, TLC, a source of joy and satisfaction

Posted on June 19, 2008
Filed Under Good Deeds, LIFE | Viewed 569 times

“If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle.”
Vincent van Gogh

I should know because I was blessed with 7!

But still I am insatiable, my kids equally insatiable—who could resist the charm and magic that babies bring. CRIBS was the answer. CRIBS is Create Responsive Infants by Sharing, a child-caring agency licensed by the DSWD. It provides temporary shelter and wholistic residential care to abandoned and surrendered babies from 1-day-old to 2-1/2 years old. It is able to support and maintain a maximum of 25 babies at any given time.

Reaching out. My family first went to CRIBS, about 8 months ago after Michael was buried. We donated all of Michael’s supplies. All that we wanted at that time, at least for Angelo’s wife, Caren, was to have a living baby in our arms and chest.

Since then, we always wanted to come back. Not that we did not enjoy the company of our Pia and Cate, it was just that there was the desire to reach out some more. CRIBS is very close to our home, about 15 minutes by car, a few kilometers away from the Ateneo. They allow volunteers to spend 2 hours (9-11 am and 2-4 pm, Mondays to Sundays) with the babies, take care of them, feed them, and let them feel the tender loving care that they normally get from parents and siblings.

Last Sunday, myself, Alan Jr, and Chato joined BA and Josie who have been regular volunteers to CRIBS (read about BA’s experience here). We had a surfeit of babies—10 of the crawlers, 10 of the toddlers and about 5 of the infants. It was such a joy to be in the midst of these innocent, attention wanting creatures of God. The natural tendency was to kiss them, hug them, give them TLC.

Meet the crawlers: Arman, John, Randy, Jun, Linden, Aldrin, Riza, Angelique, Josephine, and Charlotte (not their real names) who was isolated as she was still recuperating from a pulmonary illness.

The babies’ eyes lighted up when they saw us entering the room, some of them already knew BA and Josie. John’s eyes lighted up, he already had his 2 arms reaching out to me. So excited was he that he pulled my hair, held my face and buried his face deep in my neck. At the same time, two more were already grabbing my feet. So I had to sit down to carry 2 and at the same time pay attention to the 3rd.

Chato was so mesmerized with her namesake, Angelique, who has just transferred from the nursery to the crawlers. Angelique has not even had her first step. She was just a tiny tot, 6 months old, in a cute pink dress, wanting to be carried, caressed, cooed and taken care of.

Alan Jr had Arman in his arms, and 2 others by his side. And I have not even seen this show of attention among my 7 while they were growing up. They were playmates, yes, but the big ones were not even given the chance to take care of the smaller ones, as we elder ones thought they might drop the small ones on the floor.

The toddlers. Some of the toddlers were shy, but it took only a little while for them to warm up, cuddle, be carried and seek for a hug or praise. Most of the time, when I put down a toddler, he or she would lock his or her legs to mine so that I would have to continue carrying him or her. Sandy, when we first saw her 8 months ago with the crawlers was already with the toddlers, her pretty lashes still the same as when she was a small tot. She was freely walking around her face and built like a doll. The toddlers were kinda more demanding—as they already knew how to get attention, and be carried for a longer time.

Time to say good-bye. After feeding the babies their lunch of rice and sinigang, by 11 am, most of them have become restless ready to be in their cribs for their milk and sleeping hours. They were so peaceful, so content in their cribs, their peacefulness catching. There may or may not be volunteers in the next shift, but they find company with their care givers—one care giver each for the crawlers, toddlers and infants for every 8-hour shift. They have such big hearts to take care of these babies. They are the only permanent pseudo mothers the babies have until the time that they are turned over to their adoptive parents.

It is so unfathommable to think why or how the parents of these kids could abandon them. So great a sacrifice for them perhaps to even think about it—they may either have no means to take care of their babies, or they simply want the better options for them.

Angel in my arms. We went home, drool, saliva, milk droppings, and food in our clothes, but with deep joy and satisfaction.We can’t help but have the resolve to go back, again and again and again. Chato was already missing Angelique, whom BA named “Angel in my arms”.

Anyone is welcome to be a volunteer at CRIBS. All they need is advanced notice. One can be a volunteer, a sponsor or a donor. CRIBS has a wish list for its Receiving Home Program (for abandoned babies) and New Beginnings Program (for female victims of abuse, aged 7-17).

Contact Details

Address: 30 Major Dizon St., Industrial Valley Complex, Marikina City 1802
Website: www.cribsfoundation.org
Email: cribsnet@info.com.ph
Phone#: (632)681-5921, (632)681-8078
Fax#: (632) 647-1329

Pictures were taken from CRIBS’ website.

Comments

14 Responses to “CRIBS–a surfeit of babies, kisses, TLC, a source of joy and satisfaction”

glenville on June 16th, 2008 5:10 pm

oh my! my husband and i have around two boxes of brand new toddler clothes which were left overs from a previous tyangge endeavor. it’s been almost two years and the boxes have been gathering dust in our attic while hubby and i were figuring out what to do with them. i’m excited to donate the clothes to cribs. will visit soon =) thanks for posting this.
noemi on June 16th, 2008 5:12 pm

My friends (those who have lost a child) donate a lot of clothing there too. I want to be a foster parent one day if qualified.
haze on June 17th, 2008 1:34 am

Indeed a nice association to reach out. Who could resist to babies ? They are like Angels sent from above.
KK aka Tina on June 17th, 2008 2:59 am

Hi Sexymom,
Thank you for letting everyone know if CRIBS. I know some people who are interested in adopting, I’ll let them know of CRIBS.
Bababa ba? » Blog Archive » Could You be Father? on June 17th, 2008 9:01 pm

[...] The Top Layer It was the usual CRIBS visit. Josie and I brought Mom, Chato and Bingot along for a change. In between the haggardness and spilled food and sticky baby sdrool was the joy in both sides, for [...]
amomandmore on June 18th, 2008 3:20 am

You are a good example of a mom who trains her children about helping others. I wish there were other moms like you, Dine. I will try to follow your example soon:)
Rach (Heart of Rachel) on June 18th, 2008 9:50 am

Thank you for sharing about CRIBS. I admire your family’s generous hearts.
julie on June 20th, 2008 1:26 pm

This is great, Dine. I thought CRIBS is farther. A mom of my student goes there, according to him. “what does she do?”, I asked. “She carries the babies, plays with them, brings supplies and clothes” was his reply. “She looks happy and wishes for an apo” added the kid.
cielo on June 21st, 2008 2:29 am

hi mom D,
ur such an inspiration not only in blogging but in parenting.

i usually coordinate in behalf of my friend our own charity work, the last time its in hospicio, the next time it will be cribs.

sarap ng feeling…
annamanila on June 21st, 2008 5:45 pm

I have heard so much about CRIBS. One of my friends went there for regularly for a year partially for therapy .. to keep her mind off her own troubles.

Congrats my dear Dine and family for yet another outreach project. The nice thing about it is you do it as a family. That’s how best to teach children values—by doing.

And I am sure by blogging about it, you can inspire others to reach out too and share not only material things but also of themselves (their time, their efforts,their love). Saan na nga ba ang Cribs? Sama ako minsan ako padala ako ng children’s stuff.
Toe on July 1st, 2008 2:27 pm

I am very interested in this. I also always visit the orphanage of the Missionaries of Charity here. Maybe, I’ll visit CRIBs when I go back to Manila. I think my cousin is in this foundation too.
The CRIBS Blog » Blog Archive » CRIBS–a surfeit of babies, kisses, TLC, a source of joy and satisfaction on July 4th, 2008 2:34 am

[...] article was published in The D Spot on 19 June [...]
Another magical day with the babies at CRIBS : The D Spot on July 21st, 2008 2:39 am

[...] least from 9 to 11 am and 2 to 4 pm everyday, CRIBS opens its doors to volunteers. This is a time to give of oneself, to care without let-up. These innocent babies need caring for, [...]
The CRIBS Blog » Blog Archive » Another magical day with babies at CRIBS on July 21st, 2008 3:40 am

[...] least from 9 to 11 am and 2 to 4 pm everyday, CRIBS opens its doors to volunteers. This is a time to give of oneself, to care without let-up. These innocent babies need caring for, [...]