After a break of two and a half years due to Corona, the reunion on 5 July at the Fatima Centre was huge, I heard everyone shouting "Welcome Home". I quickly noticed that the face family had become smaller. Because of the pandemic, some children have gone home to support and no new children could be taken in, although the need is great. Due to the massive increase in poverty, many families do not know how to put food on the table for the next day, let alone provide schooling for their children. At the home, things are looking a little more positive right now: Shortly before school started, I received the news that 8 new children had been admitted. Investments had to be made for the attendance classes in order to comply with the Corona regulations. However, it can be observed in all schools that the number of pupils is decreasing, as it is partly due to the transport costs, which have become twice as expensive. At the time of my visit, 1l of diesel cost about 1.70€, the price development is similar to ours. As here, people have great worries and fears about how the world will develop, but for most people in the Philippines the starting situation is different.... In addition, there is a government that has to be viewed with concern. 

I was able to spend a lot of time with Sister Felicitas, there were many serious conversations but even more happy moments and exciting stories. She told a lot about her time in the Order, her missionary work and not least about the beginnings and development of the Fatima Centre. There was much singing and laughter. I take this time home with me as very valuable. It is amazing how she lives her firm faith and can answer any question, no matter how critical. Her spirit is as lively as ever, she has ideas and plans how she wants to continue to improve the circumstances of life. Every conversation with her is a lesson for one's own life.

I was able to invite the whole Fatima family to their own FACE FOOD HUB run by the students of the Fatima Centre. Everyone had a blast and the beauty of it is that the proceeds went into their own coffers => double win! I also invited my old friends - former Fatima Center members - there and there was a nice reunion with lots of fun and many conversations. I was invited home by some friends. It is always a great honour for the whole family to be able to offer good food, this is part of the Filipino tradition. By the way, Filipino cuisine is very tasty! 

All the children are already waiting for the swimming trip, which is an unwritten law when I come. We all went to Balatan to Sister Felicitas at the seaside, with an overnight stay, campfire, stick bread, ice cream and videoke (the phil. folk sport: singing for everyone). We all had a lot of fun, especially the younger ones, they had never been to the sea overnight before and Sister Felicitas had children's hustle and bustle around her, but still at a safe distance. 

A special experience for me was the invitation to a "graduation blow out". Alma, has been living at the Fatima Centre for 10 years, she passed her teaching degree with flying colours. Together with her closest friends from FACE, I was invited to her home for the celebration. It is something very special when a child can graduate from university. I could clearly feel that, the gratitude and pride of the family and not least of Alma, moved me deeply. It was a long, beautiful celebration, and we were allowed to spend the night in the grandparents' room. It was especially nice that Alma will now remain at the home as a teacher. 
The next day we visited former FACE members and went swimming. You don't have to be dressed for this, as you just go into the cool water with your clothes on.

The last days were already dawning, there was a bulk purchase for daily needs (vinegar, oil, soy sauce, body soap, shampoo, washing soap, toothpaste, hygiene products, sanitary cleaners....). I was shocked to find that I was buying just under €400! It felt like there was almost twice as much in the shopping trolley. Spaghetti Bolognese for everyone, of course, and the whole Face family got new flip flops. Everyone is very grateful.

I would like to pass on this thanks to all those who gave me cash; with this I was able to pay for the invitation to the FACE Food Hub, the bulk shopping, the ice cream and the flip flops. We were also able to transfer €2000 from the donation account; the money arrived on time to pay salaries and school fees (for the university). A big thank you to all supporters!

For me it was a very beautiful and emotional time and I am grateful to be able to travel to my 2nd home again and especially grateful for the priceless moments and experiences. It fascinates me again and again how great the willingness to help and support is, how respectfully people deal with each other in the difficult everyday life, how worries are carried, how independently even the little ones can master their lives and how cheerful the people are despite all the life circumstances. Surely one recipe for this is their faith and prayer.

At this point, a heartfelt thank you from Sister Felicitas and the whole FACE family for supporting the home. We can be sure that we are in their prayers every day. 

For the Fatima Center Family, 
Your Katja Dienst