Finding art in the everyday, and writing it down.

Melinda J. Irvine

Freelance Writer, creative, and blogger dedicated to the creative development and wellbeing of marginalised children everywhere. Reach out for your next writing assignment.

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Category: Finding Jerry

finding jerry and becoming a family

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.

The happiest boy in the world with his cats.
One of my early photos with Jerry, not long after I got him the birth certificate.

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.

If you’re new to my website, I also recommend reading:

Donations: where does the money go exactly?

jerry in the taxi

Riding in Cars With a Boy

by 4 Comments

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.

neda, mel and rosemary

Christmas Reflections

by 1 Comment

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.

To engage fully in the work of art, all you really need are the skills you already have. ERIC BOOTH.
2021 Melinda J. Irvine