Beginning Aloha House
Aloha House is located in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. Described as an orphanage on an organic farm, it was launched by Keith Mikkelson after he came to the Philippines from the United States in 1998 upon God’s calling.
Since then, 80 children have lived at Aloha House and have been placed with permanent families. Children mainly come to Aloha House through referrals as the staff carefully analyzes hundreds of families from a prequalified list to match them with. The families are from both the Philippines and abroad, and often run their own farm. College students will come to Aloha House to complete social work internships by observing how the children are cared for as they wait to be placed with their future families.
More than an Orphanage
A defining aspect of the Aloha Home is that a third of Aloha House’s proceeds come from Aloha Ranch and Organic Farm. An ecological village with sustainable food production and natural building, the farm’s mission is to grow quality food and to train progressive farmers. Tours showcase its 55 vegetables, 33 herbs, fruits and livestock.
While traditional farms’ features typically end there, Aloha Ranch also includes a pizza garden and a bed and breakfast! At Aloha Pizza Garden and Bakery, guests build their pizza by selecting toppings from the farm’s vegetables. Hand-crafted goat and cow cheeses with organic tomato sauce complete the pizzas, made in an Italian wood fired brick oven. At Aloha Bed and Breakfast, guests extend their stay at the farm by lodging in rooms with balconies and terraces that overlook Honda Bay.
An Enormous Vision
Aloha House and Aloha Ranch is a place of love and learning. The orphanage is a launching pad for the children to safely grow in a home filled with care before being matched with their forever families. Aloha Ranch supports that mission with its entrepreneurial and curious spirit that uses the staff’s skills to provide the surrounding community with their organic food. Through a multitude of gifts, the Aloha House and Aloha Ranch is a fulfillment of God’s calling.
How to Help
Aloha House’s ministry is continually growing in its means and efforts to serve others. Aloha house has not only been a blessing to the children they care for, but also to the entire Palawan community. Your giving supports their mission to care for the community spiritually, economically, physically, and socially with the end goal of furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ.