shepherd's arms children's home

June 2026 Update – Big milestones and bright futures at Shepherd’s Arms Children’s Home.
The past two months have been filled with exciting achievements, answered prayers, and significant progress at Shepherd’s Arms Children’s Home in Bohol, Philippines.

A major milestone: licence renewed
After a long and challenging compliance process, we are thrilled to share that the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development has renewed our licence to operate as a children’s shelter.

This is a huge breakthrough and ensures we can continue providing a safe and loving home for vulnerable children. While the approval comes with several requirements – including additional staff housing, an isolation room, and increased staffing – we have already met these requirements and secured the future of the home.

A record-breaking medical mission
Our 2026 Medical Mission was our most successful yet! Together with volunteers from Charis Med (USA), HPI and New Hope Brisbane (Australia), and our local Filipino partners, we provided medical care to 1,006 people living in remote and disadvantaged communities across Cebu and Bohol.

The team also distributed approximately 700 pairs of second-hand reading glasses, helping restore sight and independence for many people who would otherwise go without. We were encouraged by the strong support from local government officials and grateful for the opportunity to introduce the team to the children at Shepherd’s Arms.

Celebrating our children’s achievements
At the end of the day, everything we do is for our kids – and we couldn’t be prouder!

Danica and Carl have graduated from high school!! These cousins arrived at Shepherd’s Arms eleven years ago after losing both parents. Today, they are preparing for the next chapter of their lives, with Carl hoping to pursue a career as an aircraft mechanic.

Our youngest students also had much to celebrate. Charlotte received an academic award, and Leah May proudly graduated from kindergarten! Even better, every child successfully passed their classes this year.

These milestones are powerful reminders of how education can transform lives and create new opportunities for the future.

Creating pathways for employment
In April, discussions began with DATEM, Inc., a major Philippine engineering and construction company, regarding support for future medical missions.

The company has expressed interest in helping fund medicines for upcoming outreach programs and may also provide employment opportunities for Jobert, one of our recently graduated engineers. Partnerships like these help create sustainable pathways for young people as they transition into adulthood.

Water security for the future
Thanks to generous funding from the Rotary Club of Caloundra, our Vertical Water Tank Project has now been completed! The new tanks allow us to store both rainwater and groundwater throughout the year, improving water security for the Children’s Home.

The next stage will be installing a filtration system to provide safe drinking water. Looking ahead, this project could even develop into a small community bottled-water enterprise.

Growing Sustainability and Food Security
Our sustainability projects continue to thrive and move us closer to long-term self-sufficiency.

We have replenished our flock of egg-laying hens, ensuring a reliable source of fresh eggs for the children.

In addition, generous supporters have funded an expansion of our aquaponics garden and the development of a small shrimp farm. These projects provide nutritious food, practical learning opportunities, and increased sustainability for the future.

We couldn’t do it without you!
None of these achievements would be possible without the generosity, prayers, and encouragement of our supporters. From renewed government approval and record-breaking medical outreach to educational success and growing sustainability projects, every milestone reflects the impact of a community committed to transforming lives.

Thank you for helping us create brighter futures for the children of Shepherd’s Arms.