Taking Jerry to visit the grave of his mother on All Saints Day 2019. We also spent some time with his elder brother Ryan and his family.

Australian content writer and SEO. When she’s not pouring over SmallBIZ analytics, keyword data or blogging — she’s watching Disney movies and building lego spacecows with her adopted son.
One day in the Philippine school holidays (2015) a little boy followed a group of us to the beach. It was scorching hot and he had no shoes and cut bleeding feet. Jerry was so tiny and cute I thought he must have been 4 or 5 years old.
My heart melted as the other kids told me his mother was dead, his father semi-paralysed by a stroke, and his siblings scattered all over the country. The home and all their belongings, including his pets had been destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda.
Within 7 days I had got him a birth certificate, bought him clothes, shoes, and toys and put him back in school. That’s when he asked me if he could live with me. Of course I said no.
Almost five have passed since that day and Jerry now lives with me full-time and I am investigating how to legally adopt him as his father died in 2016.
You can read all about our life together here on the blog, keep coming back for updates as our story continues to unfold. If our story speaks to you, please consider making a donation to support the adoption and assist with his ongoing care.
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Taking Jerry to visit the grave of his mother on All Saints Day 2019. We also spent some time with his elder brother Ryan and his family.
Last night I found a cute little video of Jerry singing. He got hold of my phone not long after he came to live with me in 2015, and watching it caused me a few lamentations about how fast he's…
Subay. It's the Hiligaynon word for ants. Actually it's the Hiligaynon word for one ant -- if you have more than one ant, or a group of ants -- it's mga subay. Mga Subay. In our apartment Jerry calls me…
It rained and rained in the middle of the night and Jerry woke up to the shrieking sounds of frogs below his bedroom window. He eagerly grabbed the military grade binoculars given to us last year when our friends Kevin…
Each year (with the help of friends and family), I use the money I earn as a freelance writer to support about 20 Filipino kids in their schooling. Throughout the year family and friends (and even a few people I've…
I can ride I can ride I can ride ... He shouts like every kid who ever learned to ride Then hits a tree [not pictured]. Hiring a bicycle for Jerry to learn to ride in the gardens of the…
One of the things I love best about the Philippines is their strong cultural observances, customs and traditions. You don't have to be Catholic (or even Filipino) to get swept into a Holy Week procession and become part of a…
Jerry has just finished Grade 4, receiving his very first recognition medal and awards. It was an exciting experience for both of us, especially when you consider that just 4 years ago Jerry was wandering around the local pier (not…
With Super Typhoon Mangkhut approaching the Philippines Jerry's classes have been cancelled today. The typhoon will make landfall tomorrow much further north than Iloilo City where we live. But like most of the Philippines, we will cop a lot of…
This week Jerry celebrated his first Nutrition Day Program at his new school in Iloilo City. You can see him singing along to the 'Five Food Groups' in the video below (he's in the third row 2nd from the left…
When I was home in Australia last October mum produced a box filled with the books I read and loved as a little kid. They all fit in my luggage too (returning to the Philippines) and Jerry loves most especially The…
Yesterday as Jerry was putting on his school shoes (ready to return to school after lunch break) he decided to tell me about the class project. He did it by sitting at the bottom of the stairs and calling my…
How would you pin this agile little monster (with a high fever) onto a bed and made sure he rested? © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Agile I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Estancia, Iloilo (Philipppines)
No matter what country you live in and where you are from, finding new ways to entertain children is always a delight (and a relief). By accident, (on Saturday night) Jerry and I stumbled across this old ten-pin bowling alley…
I hope this little post evokes all the joy that a simple act of kindness from a stranger can bring to your day.
Living, working, playing, eating and sleeping in one-room small room is not without its challenges. Sleeping is really, really difficult. So for me Jerry's latest game is just brilliant. Every night I struggle to get him in bed, and if…
The first time Jerry rode in a taxi he opened the door while the taxi was speeding along a major road. He was only 7 and curious about all the buttons and handles and nobs. That was just before he started vomiting. And though we still don't travel without a plastic bag, he can usually manage short distances now without causing a major hazard or throwing up everywhere.
Every school morning begins like this. Me wake up in our one room place, grab my journal and turn on a little rechargable light (just enough illumination) for me to handwrite 3 pages of notes. Anything that comes into my…
It's raining here in Estancia and my iPhone just started screaming out another emergency weather alert. Apart from minor flooding we don't have too much to worry about here, but my prayers are with the people in Mindanao, Palawan and Leyte who are having a third typhoon (in less than 2 weeks) flood out their homes and crops. Oh life here in the Philippines is hard on the poor.
we wrapped it in tinsel green, red paper torn her toy mouse tethered to a lower branch the best present a little boy held © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Cozy I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location:…
When I was a kid I always loved the story of Moses in the bullrushes: the little baby cast into the Nile by his mother in the hope of saving his life; watched from afar by his sister until he was found by a royal princess; the story turning back then to his mother, eventually paid to nurse and take care of her own child.
Catching Jerry singing to his cat are among the little pieces of droll delight that I find in every day. I have no idea what he is singing (and I'm sure he has no idea either). © 2017 Melinda J.…
For the un-initiated, the Philippine delicacy Balut (pronounce it bah-lute) is a boiled duck egg. But the developing embryo of the chick is still inside and it has all this cooked smelly liquid that runs out when you crack it. Ewwww!…
Whenever I'm in the National Bookstore (or any bookstore for that matter), I always seem to gravitate to the journals. Notebooks fill up very quickly in my house and I never, ever go anywhere without a journal in my bag.…
Jerry could never look ghoulish, he's just too damned cute. We've had such a wonderful few days in the halloween themed Iloilo City; trick or treating and playing 'Wizards'. Happy Halloween friends. © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Ghoulish…
One morning I was sitting at my desk working until I heard some familiar classical music emanating from where Jerry was watching Netflix on the tablet. I turned around in surprise and asked him what cartoon he was watching. "Oh…
flash colours interchange a nine-year-old's grinning illuminated shoes © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Enlighten I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Iloilo City (Philippines)
It was May 2015 that I first met Jerry wandering the dirt backroads of Estancia in the Philippines. Two and a half years later I'm actively working to legally adopt Jerry under the Philippine domestic system. It's known as "expat…
How many little boys have passed tickets shouting their delight through this old steel gate? © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Gate I'm part of Post A Day 2017
This is Maxine and she is definitely not allowed inside. Well mostly anyway. © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Tether I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Jerry visits an old playground where his house used to be © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Scamper and Snack I'm part of Post A Day 2017
WEEK 16: Portrait (Movement) Most portraits are stationary, so this week explore adding some movement. Dancing, twirling, or even hair flips. The Dogwood Photo Challenge The Dogwood Photo Challenge is a series of weekly assignments responding to a theme or…
Yesterday on our afternoon walk, I swore I heard some lost kittens calling each other. To be honest it's actually hard not to find or hear lost kittens on afternoon walks, there are so many street dogs and cats roaming…
he wanted pets trapped small fish and shrimp in plastic cups © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Cringe I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Jerry my little loop-de-loop from sun to gone, it sleeps but it never stops © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Loop I'm part of Post A Day 2017
lunchtime stains little white shirt spaghetti © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Uniform I'm part of Post A Day 2017
A very excited Jerry started grade 3 last week, an opportunity denied to most of his brother's and sisters. This is particularly poignant today on World Day Against Child Labour. Like the other 2.1 million+ Filipino kids already working, Jerry's…
More than two months of summer vacation ended yesterday as Jerry trotted off to class in his school uniform and shiny new school shoes. He was super excited. Part of the excitement is being allowed to get his own tricycle…
GET MY GOGGLES! PLEASE! PLEASE!, he shouts above below the rain © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Imaginary I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Whenever Jerry and I are riding the highway in a tricycle I do have the odd morbid thought about whether we will survive the trip. Tricycles are great for photographs, the scenery is so close you can literally touch it.…
you replay crouching behind a tricycle and surprising me with your collected "love potion" swirling leaves and flowers and petals "you will fall in love tita mel!" you shouted showering me in your wish. then once more for you. ©…
I've known Jerry for almost two years now and wanted to share a little of his developing empathy, compassion and self-awareness through some stories about his engagement with animals and pets. It's very encouraging. The Death of the Finches A…
Today I celebrated my first real Mother’s Day. I really felt like a mum. I didn’t mention anything to Jerry about Mother’s Day (actually I had completely forgotten), but this morning while I was typing a poem on the blog,…
summer tides fall little friends an island weekend © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Temporary
Jerry has been on school holidays for more than a month and still has five weeks before school resumes. It’s a long time to keep a little boy entertained, especially when I am also working from our one-room shared space.…
February blew long low tide on the concrete constructed April © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine
WEEK 7: Portrait (Faceless) Tell someone's story without showing their face.. The Dogwood Photo Challenge The Dogwood Photo Challenge is a series of weekly assignments responding to a theme or technique. Participants are encouraged to share their work as displaying your…
'Ghosts cannot remember their sons,' said he. 'But mother's cannot forget their love' said me. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Lovingly
Jerry's birthday starts with a big yellow sun: then spaghetti, cake, friends. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Yellow PS: And even though his favourite colour is red, I loved how he chose his yellow birthday cake (because it had…
Having a birthday? "spaghetti", "hot dogs" and tang it's more fun here. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Automatic #itsmorefuninthephilippines Cooking my first Filipino styled spaghetti tomorrow for Jerry's birthday treat. Ask a Filipino kid what they want to eat…
inside simple space we find creative moments family type stuff © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Simple
The greatest place in the world is always wherever I am standing, and right now that place is Barangay Botongon, Estancia (Philippines). I arrived back from Australia to Estancia last Thursday night and even though it can be such a challenge living…
Arriving back in Estancia after more than two months in Australia and one of my first visits was to the family of Jerry's best friend. I had a small bag of gifts from Australia including a Koala plushie and the…
Read More The Successful Delivery of Magic Fish Dreaming to the Philippines
Dark, drumming, music. Street, colour, city, light. Boy, noise, fiesta, night. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Exposure
a weekend of rest, (I'm still blogging though for fun) back in his country reunited us wandering the festive streets remembering us in bright streets transformed the Dinagyang aesthetic a weekend of rest © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Aesthetic and Overworked
Two months all done. Ready to fly home to you. Brave little boy waits. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Marathon
We will watch the sunset painting names in bright colours (like a family). © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Someday
Less than 24 hours left of the campaign now and everything really helps. I've appreciated the love and support shown by so many people from across the globe. The best news is this time next week Jerry and I will be together again. Yay. Mel xx
My newsfeed delivered a lovely surprise today, my friend June Perkins created this lovely post. Thank you June I was so overwhelmed when I read it. Sometimes our friends know our stories better than we do ...
Here I am 'home'. And my passport, driver's licence and cards all agree. And so I wander the lonely beaches here every day looking for new poems and pictures to discover, and hide from everything like Christmas or old friends…
The Christmas mail to my parent's house brought a wonderful surprise today, the much anticipated book (and some extra surprises) by my dear friend June Perkins, Magic Fish Dreaming. If you have been following my blog you will know that…
My driver's licence expired back in October, but I only realised yesterday. According to my Australian driver's licence I am a resident of the state of Queensland, but I'm currently staying in the state of NSW with my parents, but…
Fundraising to adopt Jerry has really binded my family as we all search for once sacred relics to sell. This little wooden bear was handed over enthusiastically with detailed instructions for pricing (which I will strictly adhere to as this little poem illustrates).…
Filipino boy Jerry is only 8 and the bravest kid I know. His mother died tragically at Christmas time when he was only four years old and his father died in August this year. Help me adopt Jerry and bring him to Australia.
We were walking in the market yesterday, when a lady for no apparent reason, gave Jerry three pieces of native fruit. He received them shyly and then set to work on the eating. After we got home he said to…
A cute little photo study of Jerry in his spider-man costume. I love how he takes the styrofoam wrapping off apples and uses it for spider-man masks.
"Can we come here everyday?" said his little voice. and it wasn't that he wanted to pray or burn white candles under tall Mary each day. His little heart filled with the floating view of the valley his small hands…
Wednesday night, reading Jerry's bedtime story I decided to video the experience for my friends Alexander Dudley and Jane Sullivan who had sent me a copy of their newly published book Faunaverse. Faunaverse is a wonderful book of poetry about…
Faunaverse is a marvellous book of poetry appealing to both kids and adults. Fun educational and inspiring, Faunaverse was written by two passionate and talented environmental activists (and also my friends): Alexander Dudley and Jane Sullivan.
Having dedicated WIFI in the house for the past 48 hours has been ... well ... like a million continuous yays. I can only really describe that incredible feeling when the technician handed me finalising paperwork and that first little…
Eight year old Jerry tells me about a marvellous dream he had the night before, though I think possibly a lot of it was made up during narration. What a joy he is.
Jerry kicks and thrashes in his sleep, poor little thing has terrible nightmares. He always wants to sleep in the bed with me and I usually allow it for a few hours and carry him to his own bed after…
Jerry's father died three weeks ago and his behaviour is becoming more and more erratic. Researching how to help him, how to love him, how to support him and grow as a parent.
A list of behaviour indicators of child abuse, trauma and neglect highlighted to me the depth of distress and disturbing incidents Jerry has already experienced in his eight short years. Links to the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Our Saturday morning sleep in and do not much and Jerry decided to put all his animals in hospital and colour in the stripes on his zebra. Totally cute. Hope this brings you a smile as I document his English…
is our saturday morning. Our funny little family strengthens. © 2016 mel irvine
delighted little boy frames happiness wanting to sleep in those gloves © 2016 Melinda Irvine
little boy writes my name in the sand (near his) then smiles my face. love you 🙂 © 2016 Melinda Irvine
Yesterday afternoon four little friends of Jerry came over to play and watch Disney Movies. The toy library has a very cool little cooking set so they all insisted on 'cooking' for me. I had to close my eyes for…
July is Nutrition Month in the Philippines and Jerry's school had a special family event to educate kids (and parents) on the long-term health benefits of diet and exercise. I'm blogging it because it is the first thing I have attended…
Jerry told me on Saturday afternoon he was a cowboy and could he please borrow my cream/daisy coloured lace sunhat as cowboys wear hats. He disappeared outside and about 10 minutes later I found him lassoing the chair with two…
bad me’ i heard his little voice say ‘bad me’ small head turned into the pillow ‘bad me’ i had scolded him for breaking a yellow colouring pencil he stomped it into two pieces discarded for garbage i found it…
Yesterday some of the dreams and visions for my life here in the Philippines manifested into reality: tuition for street kids and employment for families battling poverty. For the last two years I have been helping Shelia Gedalanga and her…
Child's birthday party: cake, games, spaghetti. Later, ladies find red wine. © 2016 Melinda Irvine
Arriving in the Philippines over two years ago to help out after Typhoon Yolanda, I never expected I would still be here. The amazing, crazy and tragic things that have happened over the past two years have left me drained…
fiesta maidens; rainforest warriors; and two little princes © 2016 Melinda Irvine
My first official parenting duty: attend the Grade 1 (squid) christmas party. Not sure if my favourite part was the brawl or when they managed to pull down the entire candy frame. Definitely loved taking back the video two weeks…
I met Jerry on a hot, dirty roadside. He had cut feet and no shoes. He was crying. It was a long time before he trusted me enough to climb on my back so he didn't have to walk on the…
I promised myself not to leave him; to believe I'd find him again © 2015 Melinda Irvine Click here to learn more about helping me adopt Jerry.
When a curious little boy get's your iPhone, without you realising there's suddenly more than 600 photos. Delighted at what I found here.