It is ironic how people of different interests and fields are
able to meet and unite together for the same cause.
January 3, 2013 was definitely not a typical day for me. Waking
up early and waiting for the wonderful day ahead of me just made me even more
excited. It was a day full of love and compassion. Something that I rarely
encounter in my everyday life. This day has been marked wonderfully and I’m
glad that once again together with Foursquare Youth volunteers, we became an
instrument of God to be of service to others through Feeding Program &
Healthy Teeth Campaign organized by Keep Hope Alive Volunteer’s Foundation and Vogs Privado.
We overcame several uphill roads and the hard ones required our efforts by clinging and jumping at the rear part of our feet. It was a long walk from the Sitio Matucao to the Quinomay Mangyan Community. No matter how calm or angry the weather is, the place is always winding. It seemed to be an endless walk. Let me tell you that transporting the goods have not been easy. We took the chance of resting on flat surfaces that we saw along the trail. The long walk was exhausting but the environment seemed to soothe our weary bodies. The soothing noise of a river added to our excitement. It was 5:45 PM when we finally reached community. It was almost dark and figures of kids and Mangyan residents were all over the place.
Early next day, January 4, 2013 was indeed very heartwarming
for me and for the rest of us who were there. Everyone recharged with snacks
and steal a few Zzzs. The community was very remote so it’s a bit hard to prepare
the food. And the cooking process is very much manual: the fire setting, the
boiling process, and all. We thank our cooks (Pas Janice, Siara & Ate Elaine)
whom beyond our stressful yesterday were able to cook the food properly ;). Despite the tiring preparation, it paid off upon seeing the
overwhelming reception of residents. The children were very eager to see what
we had prepared for them. We delivered the macaroni soup to the kids while others
were preparing the brushes and toothpastes for Healthy Teeth education. We chit chatted with some kids and
interviewed them. Some were quite shy but the others were very fun. Bonding with those children in Quinomay Mangyan Community
made me appreciate things around me, especially God's countless blessings that
I did not pay much attention to before. The
fulfillment I had when I looked upon their happy faces was exhilarating. It was very fulfilling that in our own simple ways; we were
able to help and made the children feel that some people care for them through
a feeding activity. Even though it only lasted for a day, the laughter we
shared would always remain in my heart. It was neither the food nor the toothbrush we gave that made the outreach memorable but the smiles in every child's face
which made it more valuable.
It’s not the first time for me to do this kind of thing and
the feeling is just so priceless. Do you ever get that feeling of pride because
you are considered as a blessing to other people? Just by being there and
feeding the kids made me realize what kind of impact I myself had given them. I
love the fact that God sent us to them to bring forth happiness and be a
blessing. Whenever one of them thanks us for the simple food and toothbrush we
brought them, I felt a hundred times gratified. Even my friends and fellow
volunteers felt their sincerity and, with joy in their eyes, realized that
this Feeding Program & Healthy Teeth Campaign is more than just a community
outreach for us. It is a self-entitled volunteerism to share the love of Christ
and cheer others. It just feels so refreshing to see those Mangyan kids happy
with such little things in life. I mean, I’ve been there and I will do anything
worth it to feel that such thing again. You’re only a kid once, cherish it.
For my fellow youth volunteers, we may not be the kindest
persons in the world but we have a heart kind enough to share the simple things
that we’re lucky that we have. No matter how simple the ways and how small the amount, it is
the willingness and joyfulness to share that counts. Through this simple
activity, we were able to convey the message to the children and to their
parents that if they strive harder in life, there will be more people who will
be willing to help them.So guys, if you have any doubts of volunteering
for a cause, then do it, not for the sake of being with friends or just forced
to, but to be compassionate for others. I guarantee, you
will feel the same feeling as mine.
Praise God for moments like this! I hope we’d be able to do
another one again and again to continue spreading His grace and reach out more
to other helpless people. LET’S GO and MAKE A DIFFERENCE :)
____________________________________________________________
We have a great need
for sponsors for our Healthy Teeth Campaign and Feeding Programs
Can you help us?
As a Sponsor, you
will become part of a group whose combined efforts make it possible for our volunteers,
to share the blessings, teach the Word of God and feed the children. For
inquiries and questions about Sponsorship and Donating, just contact one of the
Core team members through Facebook account.
