Greta’s Junkyard For CRIBS Foundation Inc. in Marikina

I was first introduced to the wonderful world of CRIBS Foundation Inc. in Marikina when I was in third year college in Ateneo. I was taking up a Psychology class, and one of our field trips included visiting the organization and spending some time with the babies.

We played with them, took care of them, and fed them. Since then, I’ve been in love with them.

Grabbed from the CRIBS Website

For those of you who have only heard about CRIBS Foundation Inc. now, it was formerly known as C.R.I.B.S. Philippines Inc. and was started in 1974. It was the first non-government organization in the country to implement a Foster Care Program and in 1979, it opened its home to abandoned, surrendered, and neglected babies. In 1983, they also became a child welfare agency that took in and took care of female minor survivors who were sexually abused and exploited.

CRIBS has served thousands of abandoned, surrendered, neglected, and abused children over the years. And it’s because of this, and my love for children in general, that the babies and organization have a special place in my heart.

Grabbed from the CRIBS Website

I love visiting them just to play with them, talk to them, and feed them. There are three rooms. The infants, the crawlers, and the toddlers. And it’s amazing how fast these babies grow each time I visit—the crawlers I used to play with are suddenly transferred to the toddler room, and the infants I used to just watch through the window would be the new crawlers I would play with.

There’s just really something about the babies that get you. Because they were neglected, they look for the attention and affection from you. The minute you enter their room, their faces instantly light up—and they all try to race each other by crawling to you—wanting to be carried and hugged. It’s an overwhelming and humbling feeling.

Grabbed from the CRIBS Website

Since 2011, I’ve started a very simple tradition to visit the babies of CRIBS on my birthday month and donate things they need like milk, diapers, baby food, and baby clothes. This year, to celebrate my 25th birthday, I’m going to do something a little bit more different. With the help of this blog, I want to reach out to you readers—if you have baby clothes and old toys that you’d like to donate, please do contact me at gretchen@gretasjunkyard.com or message me here so that I can come pick them up on or before March 5, 2014.

Other baby supplies you can donate are:

• Disposable Diapers (Small, Medium, Large, XL)
• Feeding Bottles and Rubber Feeding Bottle Nipples
• Baby Wipes
• Baby and Adult Bath Soap/Baby Bath
• Baby and Adult Shampoo
• Baby and Adult Lotion
• Baby Oil/Powder
• Toothpaste and Toothbrush
• Feminine Wash
• Sanitary Napkins
• Deodorant
• Liquid Hand Soap
• Rubbing Alcohol (70% ethyl alcohol)
• Laundry Detergent (powder and bars)
• Zonrox
• Lysol (liquid and spray)
• Dish Washing Liquid
• Garbage Bags
• Mop Heads

This will really, really mean a lot to the babies. Thank you all in advance!