We’re from University of San Carlos. We’re here for a short interview regarding on your congregation.

First, when was the congregation formed? Please just give a short history

Missionaries of the Poor was founded in Jamaica in 1981 by Fr. Richard Julong. He’s a half Jamaican, half
Chinese Priest.

So he founded Missionaries of the Poor in Jamaica in 1981 and then from there, our second mission was
in India. After India, Haiti and then in the Philippines. Now, we have spread to Africa and then in USA –
in North Carolina. Also in Indonesia and East Timor. Here in the Philippines we have three missions. One
in Manila, one in Naga City and then in Cebu. The first mission was established in Naga City in Bicol, then
followed by Cebu since 2004 and then in Manila.

So how many kids or patients are you catering right now?

About 42 kids and all of them are mentally challenged. We don’t accept with normal conditions. Our
founder in Charism said we should only cater the POOREST OF THE POOR.

So the 42 kids, is that the maximum capacity?

That you can cater?

Or you accept?

Probably 50 but as of now, we opt to 42 kids because it’s not good to put many kids in one home.

So in a range, how much do you spend on a monthly or yearly basis? For the food, electricity and water?

In a range, maybe around fifty. That’s all

P50,000?

Yes, that includes food and medicine.

In a year or in a month, brother?

Some of the food are donated. Maybe all in all, it’s around P50,000 in a month

So brother, do you have regular visitors here who donate?

Yes so far, we have regular.

How about the kids, brother? How did they come here? How did you rescue some of them?

Some of them are from DSWD, they refer them to us like some are found in the streets then they
realized that they are not normal, so they refer them to us. Some came from a poor family. Of course, if
you have kids like this and then you are poor so it’s very heavy for them. That’s why they give them to
us. Mostly, that’s the case.

What’s the worst-case scenario you had so far?

So far, I think this one was found in Tacloban. I think it’s before Yolanda, he was found in the garbage.
When they came to know about his condition, they immediately went to the Missionaries of the Poor.
How old is he now?

I think he’s seven years old. His name is Jonathan

What’s the age range of the kids that you accept?

It depends on their size. Some of them are like this boy. He’s now 26 years old yet he still looks like a
child

How old is the youngest, brother?

He is two years old right now

Are the received donations sufficient to their needs?

So far yes, it’s enough for our needs

How do you accept volunteers? Do you have a core group?

First of all, they call us. They will ask permission if they can come. So we give them the information, the
time that they can come. Some of them, they come to visit. Some they come with a guide. They give a
treat or food.

Yes so far we have. We have monthly visitors. Some of them, yearly.

Brother, how about their health condition?

Actually we have doctors who come regularly in a week to check them. And also we have some medical
students from Velez, they come 3 times in a week to check the kids’ health.

Is it free?

Yes, it’s free