Since the beginning of 1993, Thomas Wendl and his wife have been working as development workers in Cagayan de Oro.
The murder of the street child Gary Dalayhon (16) on July 23, 1993 by a police officer was the impetus for establishing a permanent street children project.
(See also the corresponding report of amnesty international)
The official registration of “Balay sa Gugma” finally took place on November 23, 1993.
Here is the whole story, reported by Thomas Wendl.
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They vegetated forgotten in prison -
...or violated on the street. -
For the first time, success prevailed and a life was saved, -
... and times remained nothing but dew, despair and incomprehension. -
After his energetic work on the spot, he continued to work after his return from Munich until today.
The project always tried to use changes positively, to adapt to current circumstances, but always to provide the necessary assistance.
In the context of structural and personnel changes on site in the Philippines, the successor organization was renamed "Gugma sa Kabataan Inc.".
In analogy, the name of the German association was changed to "Gugma Street Kids e.V" in 2011.