community outreach programs
feeding programs
Safe Haven, in partnership with Payatas Family Church of Christ, facilitates a supplementary feeding program in Payatas Dumpsite, located in Quezon City. This feeding program caters specifically to children aged between 18 months and 5 years. Children who are identified as malnourished are provided with a nutritious, well-balanced meal, vitamins and milk from Monday to Friday.
ear health clinics
In August 2016, Safe Haven initiated a community-focused, ear health intervention program in partnership with local and international medical practitioners to combat chronic ear disease amongst children living throughout Payatas Dumpsite.
One of the most common childhood illnesses of the Developing World is Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM), a chronic inflammation of the middle ear and mastoid cavity. This illness, left untreated, often leads to substantial hearing impairment, disability, and poor linguistic and psychosocial development, especially in resource-poor countries.
The effect that hearing loss has on child's development, education, relationships and enjoyment of life is profound. And for children of such communities, a hearing loss will substantially restrict their chance of moving out of poverty. To address alarming rates of ear disease within Payatas, Safe Haven established a weekly ear clinic to examine, treat and educate children and parents who were identified as having CSOM.
Photographic images of the ears and patient records are sent to medical support professionals online, enabling remote diagnosis and monitoring of progress, with adjustment of treatment as needed. Whilst treatment is notoriously difficult, the Safe Haven ear clinic has seen encouraging results thus far.