Experience L'Arche Punla
We are not called by God to do extraordinary things,
but to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.
"We have so much to learn from those who, though stripped of power and knowledge, are so rich in their hearts and in their simplicity."
"Community is not an ideal; it is people. It is you and I. In community we are called to love people just as they are with their wounds and their gifts, not as we want them to be."
"Stop looking for peace. Give yourselves where you are. Stop looking at yourselves, look instead at your brothers and sisters in need. Ask how you can better love your brothers and sisters. Then you will find peace."
Jean Vanier
L'Arche Punla
Ang Arko ng Pilipinas
The beginnings of L’Arche started in 1964 when Jean Vanier first welcomed two developmentally disabled men to live with him in a small house in a French village near Compiegne. His generosity of spirit has snowballed into an international effort to provide homes for the mentally handicapped, including the Philippines which started the Arko mission in 1987.
Currently, there are two Arko homes for the developmentally disabled in Cainta, Rizal where core members are cared for in a family atmosphere and nurtured to live productive lives. They are trained on handicraft and communication skills. Additionally, Arko shares the spiritual seed of Jean Vanier ("Punla") by running a daily day care center for developmentally disabled children.
In the Philippines, although most handicapped people are normally cared for by their families, those who are profoundly handicapped or whose families do not have the means to support them are often abandoned or neglected. The vision of L’Arche Punla (Arko ng Pilipinas) is to give these disadvantaged people a home and family life where they can grow intellectually, emotionally and spiritually through a loving community. Professional help is also provided by psychologists and psychiatrists.
Arko ng Pilipinas Community
Immersion Experience
One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing.
L'Arche Punla Fund Raisers
Spiritual Growth through Giving
With our organization’s mission always in mind, we strive to find new strategies for sustaining our community.
Would you like to get involved?
Contact L'Arche Punla
Get in touch with L'Arche Punla to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.
116 Camia Street, Bayanihan Village, Cainta, Rizal, Philippines
+63-2-655-1482