PROJECT: BACK TO SCHOOL

Hello! My friends and I are working on a new project- Back to School! Basically we're pooling school kits for 100 kids of Katja Wohlrab Aeta School in Porac, Pampanga and hopefully 75 more kits for Maganda y Noboka Aeta School in Mabalacat, Pampanga. This project is in cooperation with EVA Charity Foundation, an NGO that supports aeta communties.

The kit includes a canvass backpack, 2 pencils, 2 pens, 1 notebook, 1 pad paper, eraser. Each classroom will also be equipped with a mounted mechanical sharpener.

If you wanna join in the execution of the project, donate in cash or in kind, or join us in assembling the kits, leave a comment! :) Old but usable books are very much welcome too. Thanks guys!

*photos from EVACF site.

Because they need us

I am happy to announce the second project: BACK TO SCHOOL! (no official title yet but we don't really make titles. But if we're doing this every year, we should make one. And maybe a Yahoo group haha)

I've started asking for support from friends for this one. It'll be bigger and better! We're reaching out farther- this time to our Aeta fellowmen. So happy more people are interested this time. I really hope we're more prepared this time- in logistics and donations.

photo from hometownboy.files.wordpress.com

Friends who are graduating and have no plans of working immediately also pledged support to the project. YEHEY! I know these projects are all 'cash outflow' but really, there's nothing more fulfilling than giving hope to others.

And like they say, share your blessings to receive more blessings. Good karma diba? If you're interested, in cash or in kind, let me know! Thanks!

Where: Most probably in Pampanga

When: May 2010, after elections para iwas gulo

What: BACK TO SCHOOL! Let's paint their rooms, chat with the kids and inspire them, and give them school kits!

3 P's TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT:

PERA. Donate cash in any amount. Cash donations will be pooled to purchase paints, paint rollers, mechanical pencil sharpeners, and canvass bags for the kids.

PANAHON. Be a volunteer! If you have a car and you're willing to drive, we will be forever grateful! Or if you wanna join us, be with the kids, or paint the rooms, GAME NA! Remember, in the absence of private transpo, you must be willing to take the bus, the jeep, or even ride the carabao. Fun noh?

PANGANGAILANGAN. Donate in kind! You can donate old but still usable school books, kids encyclopedias, flash cards. You may also give pencils, erasers, art materials, pads, pens, products from your company (yes! shampoos, toothpaste, soaps, milk, crackers, juice drinks, chips, cupcakes, etc!)

INTERESTED? email me or leave a comment here! Let's go Team Friends! hahaha tumi-team? kalowka. Will email this after I've confirmed with the school. :)

My first Christmas Project!

First of all, for the nth time, I'd like to thank everyone who took part in this project. Including those who showed interest even if they weren't able to make it. Your interest really inspired me to push through with the project.

Second, to those who made it- Issa, Andy, Punky and Wenggay. You guys are superb!

Third, to those who donated stuff. Sir Nestle for the five boxes of shampoo, to Claude for the many baby stuff, to Aleli for the diapers, to Punky for the cleaning stuff, to Weng for the Nestle products and to Andy for the cotton goods.

Anyway back to the day of the visit. Imagine my horror when our only carpool backed out that morning. I was panicking but I told my friend it was fine. I really couldn't blame her coz it was for academic reasons. I prayed, prayed so hard that today will be smooth despite the lack of transpo. That we'd find a cab who can take us there.

While getting dressed, another friend said she can't make it but will meet me to drop off her donations. I got sad coz I was hoping we could catch up during the visit but I said it was fine. I was also frantically texting Issa to tell her about the lack of car, and then asked if she could get me lunch at McDo. She then told me she'll try to ask a cab to take us to the orphanage. I told her to offer a maximum of 500 pesos 'kontrata' trip. I was that desperate to get a transpo for us.

Minutes later, Issa messaged me saying she got a cab who agreed to take us there for 250 pesos ONLY! And she didn't have a hard time talking to the driver.

For me it was a miracle. Call me exage but I think my prayers were answered right at that moment.

The four of us- Issa, Weng, Andy and I made our way to the orphanage. The taxi driver was very nice. And he knew where we were going. Amazing.

We arrived at the orphanage on time. The nuns and helpers greeted us happily. And then we started playing with the kids. The kids were very sweet. They kept hugging us. It was very heartwarming.

I chatted with one of the nuns and asked about the kids. They're temporarily staying at the orphanage until they recover from their illness. These kids are from the poorest families in the slums of Manila. Some were abandoned. Some had drug addict parents. The nuns really feels sorry for the kids. Sister said they tried to provide livelihood for the parents of the kids but nothing succeeded. She said the parents were contented in their way of life- begging other people for alms to feed their family. It's really sad to hear because these kids could have a good future if their parents sacrifice a little more.

Anyway, I just really pray that there will be hope for the children.

Here are the photos.

Issa carrying Kim. Leleng hugs her.

Punky and Nina.

us!

I hope you can join us in our next project. yay!