About Us
FOUNDER
Sherry Zimmer is the founder and primary source of funding for the S.C.O.T.S Foundation.
A Scottish born and educated American citizen,
she serves as President of the foundation.
Sherry is the primary healthcare advocate,
environmentalist,
foster mother and construction foreman for the facility.
Ms. Zimmer's goal is to offer an environment of love and caring education for the abandoned children and orphaned infants of the streets in the Philippines. The S.C.O.T.S Foundation was established in the latter part of 2003. During the last 4 years the land for the orphanage has been reclaimed from the lahar field (volcanic ash) and the visitor centre and some ancillary buildings have been constructed. A rock walled irrigation canal has been dug and a road for vehicle access has been created. This building and clearing of the land has been both a livelihood project for the local men from the barangay and Aeta resettlement villagers in the area. Sherry hopes to assist the Aeta in their efforts to lead productive lives, while maintaining their dignity and culture by offering them a loving environment on her working farm.
THE AETA
Ms. Zimmer hopes to aid the abandoned street children of the Philippines and assist the Aeta in their efforts to lead productive lives, while maintaining their dignity and culture by offering them a loving environment on her working farm.
The Aeta are a proud people,
rich in traditions and primal culture,
who can count their ancestry in the Philippines back some 30,000 years.
Historians and anthropologists debate precisely when and how they migrated here, the consensus being that they crossed from the island of Borneo between 20 and 30 thousand years ago, using a land bridge that was partially covered by water around 5,000 years ago - the remaining part of which is now the island of Palawan.
Whatever the migration path was, they are without a doubt the first inhabitants of the Philippines.
One area of that country where the Aetas had lived for thousands of years was Mount Pinatubo. An active volcano, it erupted in June of 1991. The eruption was one of the worst in history and was devastating to the nearby Aeta population. Around a quarter of a million people lost their home - many of them Aetas.
Although the Filipinos are still cleaning up the ash to this day, the Aetas have long since re-settled in urban areas of Luzon. It is doubtful some will ever return to their former homeland or tribal customs.
THE FARM
Presently we are doing what most local farmers thought was impossible. We are growing organic lettuce and herbs in what was previously a lahar field. This project supports 5 workers and their extended families. Eventually the profits from this venture will go towards supporting the orphanage.
MEDICAL
Health care is out of reach for the poor in the Philippines.
Many die of simple diseases and the mother/child mortality rate is extremely high.
We have been able to save many lives and many patients have stayed with us to ensure medications were taken correctly.
All of this takes time and money,
but it is so rewarding to see someone brought back to good health.
Aside from the children in her care, Mz. Zimmer supplies minor medicine to the local Aeta and villagers alike. She is always available to consult with parents about a sick child and if needed arranges for hospitalisation. No matter the time, day or night Mz. Zimmer is always ready to go to the aid of an injured, sick or neglected child. She gladly drives Aetas or villagers to hospital and then stays with them until she is sure they will be cared for. For the last 3 years we have been joined by the H.O.P.E Foundation who have held medical, dental and eye missions at the orphanage. More than 500 people have been treated, and from these missions 9 have had eye surgeries, 48 have received glasses and 2 had serious surgeries performed in a local hospital.
We are tenacious in our pursuit of health care for the poor and offer a safe haven to any child.