family-based CARE

As a transitional space for children, Safe Haven is not unlike most families. Children are cared for by nurturing mummas, who focus on their health, nutrition, educational development, spiritual and emotional needs.

High child to carer ratios within Safe Haven, ensure that children who have experienced severe trauma, abuse, neglect and abandonment learn to trust again and develop healthy attachments within a safe and nurturing environment.

Our unique, child focused programs include emergent learning activities, sensory based play, art and music therapy and regular physical activities to promote good health and wellbeing.

It has often been said in educational circles that "if a child cannot learn the way that we teach, then we should teach the way that they can learn."

At Safe Haven this very quote underpins our educational program. We recognise that every child is uniquely designed by God with individual talents, gifts and interests. Our goal is to identify each child's strength and talents and then, program developmentally appropriate programs which both challenge and extend the child's learning.

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.