Healthy Teeth Campaign & Feeding Program - 5th Year (Salvacion Elem. School)

"Healthy Teeth Campaign" will target youngsters through a literacy campaign utilizing outreach through community and school visits. The campaign provides a pair of toothbrush and toothpastes to drive awareness for critical stages of pediatric oral health care. 

            Keep Hope Alive’s Foundation Feeding Program provides a healthy and nutritious meal to students after class is in session.   The food is administered in the school and is sourced locally or regionally.   Students bring their own cups or bowls for their meal.  In addition to providing rice for their children's meals, volunteer to manage the program, build and maintain the kitchen, prepare and distribute the meals,

         The Feeding Program is very popular and loved by students, parents and teachers.  In our pilot school, Salvacion Elementary School, the food is so delicious that students wait for second helpings and make sure that there are no leftovers!

The Feeding Program improves:

1)   Student attendance and retention

2)   Student health and nutrition

3)   Classroom attention and test scores

4)   Parent involvement

GO! Make a Difference.

        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.

Try.

I am often asked what motivated me to accomplish these things at my age. My answer is simple. I was willing to try.

With Mangyan family at Quinomay, 2008

I'm a regular teenager when I started caring for the kids in my community. I started out with free Saturday lessons (academics, acting, dance and arts) and Sunday school teaching. When I was in college I decided to launch a feeding and health program for young children in my community. I initially involved about 50 kinder students in the feeding program and another 30 kids for healthy teeth campaign. Some of these kids don't have their own toothbrushes because of poverty and family economic conditions.  In nursing school, we are taught to be responsible for our own community, be an advocate of health and welfare especially for those people in need and to educate people about health issues, improve community health and safety, and increase access to care. Today, more than 350 students are part of this program every 3 months. I can’t contain the happiness every time I see the joy and heartfelt smiles of these kids; it’s fulfilling and motivating - priceless. I’m excited to do it again and again! I’m really happy seeing them growing and learning. In accomplishing this, I wouldn't consider myself gifted with a big heart, special, or anything else. I'm just someone who thinks "I can." Sometimes that it all it takes.

Art lessons with my cousins and siblings, 2007

With Mangyan kids, 2008

With kids, 2009

I have done health lectures and art workshops for children in the community and the greatest passion I've heard have come from them. Sometimes those great ideas never take flight because the kids who came up with them are looking at all the reasons that they can't make it happen instead of all the reasons they can! Thinking that you "can" will soon turn into believing that you really "can."

And once you believe it - it will begin to happen for you. There are always emotional, physical and financial resources which are available for the people who want to do something great for their communities. Volunteers and mentors are out there who share your dream and are willing to step up and help. They are just looking for someone with a vision and age, often, has nothing to do with brilliance, courage, and wisdom... Everyone can dare to be the person they truly are by living their dream if they are just willing to try!

Gift giving, 2010

Anti-Dengue Drive, 2010

                                      

                    Feeding Program, 2011

I know as kids we say "when I grow up I want to be..." I'm here to say, START NOW! You don't have to wait until you grow up to make a valuable difference in this world. And isn't that what we all want to do? Make the world a better place? I believe with all my heart that we design our own futures. We have God who has all the power to make things happen for ourselves. Some worry that someone won't "let" them do what they want to do. Do your own research, show people why you can.

Health Drive, 2011

Healthy Teeth Campaign, 2012

My mentors and supporters, my elementary teachers

You probably heard the old saying "keep your eye on the prize." That saying works for me. I believe what the end result is that I really want, and in God’s perfect time, I believe it can happen. That has brought me results of happiness every time. Don't wait to be asked. Be the person who acts. You know you have it in you. As I said before, all it takes to make a difference in your personal life, your family, community, your country and your world is to be the person who is willing to try. After that, everything else falls into place.

These kids surprised me with their birthday cards, greetings and artworks.

Two of my 'alaga'.

Feeding Program 2012

You don't need approval or permission from anyone but yourself to step up and make a difference. If you really believe in yourself, and your abilities, others will too. Your faith, passion and belief in yourself will bring the resources and support you need to make it happen. Tomorrow's world is yours so today, this moment, whatever you do for yourself and the community will be a great expansion. There are lot of young men and women all around the globe performing brilliant things to make this world a better place to live in; you can be one of them.

Kids lining up for Veggie Soup and Cereal Milk.

With Ma'am Mecca, distributing school supplies.

My favorite kid - during Healthy teeth lectures.

Keep Hope Alive kids after feeding program.

My Birthday Wish

I am turning a year older tomorrow, and I always get asked what I want for my birthday and I am epically awful at thinking of material things I want.  It’s time to put material things aside and remember those who paved the way for me. Every year I know what I want — I want to be able to make an impact to the lives of my adopted kids in my community (Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro). I usually do this every year since 2008. I know it’s not everyday that you get to help people around you and not everyone has the heart and passion to reach out to those who are in need. 

For those who don’t know, I started a charity works and a volunteer’s organization (Keep Hope Alive) in 2008, a lifetime commitment for queer children who experience poverty, hunger and depression. I firmly believe that to bring change to our world we need to keep as many queer and questioning and amazing young people in this world as possible before anything else we do matters, and Keep Hope Alive helps me do that. Every act of involvement says you believe in the idea of making the world a better place. Children will not remember you for the material things you provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them. I admire those people who do and pray for the hearts of those who don’t that someday their hearts will be touched and be able to share their blessings.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and it’s really the thing that will make me most happy second to serving God and family. In giving, I believe nothing is too little, no matter how small. Napakasarap sa feeling na nakakapagpasaya at nakakatulong ka sa mga tao lalo na sa mga musmos sa paligid mo. Ako aaminin kong wala akong pakialam sa mga batang palaboy-laboy lamang sa lansangan nung bata pa ako, dahil unang-una hindi ko naman sila kaano-ano. Pero nung nakita ko kung gaano sila kasaya sa ginagawa kong pagtulong, narealize ko na lahat ng tao sa mundong ito ay dapat pangalagaan ang isa’t isa sapagkat tayo’y mga nilikha ng diyos na may kaakibat na responsibilidad para magserve. Lalo na kapag nakaka-angat ka or kaya blessed ka with good job and family na di nararanasan ng mga batang ito. I know money is hard, and charity can be very personal, but God’s provision is immeasurable.

I’m very excited for my birthday tomorrow. Another wish will come to pass. I’m excited to see more children to be fed and be inspired with the feeding and healthy teeth program we prepared. To all the people, friends and my family who helped and supported me with this passion and advocacy, thank you is not enough. Let God deal with your good deeds. To some people just reading this and knowing and respecting that this is something I care about means a lot to me. J

Playing with the kids. These kids loved to be cuddled. As soon as their done with handwashing they ran towards me and asked me to carry them on our back. (piggy back ride)