Thesis (BS Architecture) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2008

In any society, the likelihood of having un-fostered children is nearly inevitable. Varied circumstances can lead to the orphaned state of any child. Hence, foster shelters are necessary institutions in any society. In the Philippines, poverty has worsened the circumstances as cases have aggravated to the neglect, abandonment and even abuse of children. It is in the tradition of orphanages to be temporary shelters until the time that these children are adopted. But due to poverty, adoption is not an easy option for most Filipino families. In effect, orphanages are no longer just temporary shelters but are already the homes of orphaned, abandoned, neglected and abused children. In an orphanage, the environment are usually becomes strongly institutional. Furthermore, the economic issues of these orphanages also result to difficult living set-ups. These are only few of the factors that prove to have detrimental effects on the developmental growth of children. All children are supposed to be born as dreamers. As the young hopes of the future, they are supposed to be anything that they can be. But the frailty of orphanages robs the children in its many opportunities. This study is dedicated to the empowerment of a child that belongs to an orphanage. By empowerment, this study is not only pertaining to the wholistic development of the child's overall persona but also of his/her economic growth. Seeing that these are children that do not have families as fall backs, what ever they can use for their independence is vital. Hence, this study's ?development-oriented environment? aims to empower the orphan, whole-roundedly and economically. In other words, this orphan empowerment includes and is not limited to the cognitive, socio-emotional, biological developments but also includes the economic development of any child.