CoET Gives Back: An Outreach Project
First of all, I know I've neglected my blog for more than a month now but that's primarily because my laptop gave up on me. :( Getting a new one was not on my budget, so I opted to just have a desktop computer assembled since it's more economical. And really, there was just nothing post-worthy over the holidays so there.
However, I did have a very good start this year. Together with my college friends, we did an outreach program which we called "CoET Gives Back", CoET being the course we took (Computer Engineering Technology). And since most of us were DOST scholars back then, it was high time we pay it forward.
The organizers chose the residential shelter of Laura Vicuña Foundation. Currently, they house 18 street girls who may be orphaned, neglected, abandoned, battered, morally endangered and sexually abused. According to Wiki, Laura Vicuña is the patron of abused persons.Thus the name of the foundation.
We were supposed to go there last December but due to their unavailability, we were scheduled for January 8, 2011 instead. Coordination was done mostly via Facebook. Others opted to donate monetary contributions while others gave items like sanitary kits, groceries etc. since these are more needed by the kids according to the nuns supervising the shelter. We did not raise that much but surprisingly it seemed that what we brought was more than enough.
We met up in Gateway and within 10-15 minutes, we were already at the shelter. We were actually late since our schedule was supposedly from 10:00am-12:00noon but it was already 11:00am when we got there. Good thing the kids went to Don Bosco so we had ample time to prepare the food and goodies we brought. While waiting for the kids, we took the time to catch up on each other's lives. It's been 6 years since most of us last saw each other.
An hour or so later, the kids arrived and we were greeted by cheerful and energetic young ladies. Good thing they haven't had lunch yet so we were able to sit down and join them.
Right after the meal, the kids went on to do their presentation as their way of saying 'Thank you.' I think it was almost an hour-long presentation comprised of a skit, song and dance number with audience participation. :D
The lead role of 'Salty' (which I deciphered was a Christmas book) was portrayed by one of the older kids. Her English accent and diction is comparable to someone trained in a BPO setting. We were in awe. It's also amazing how they were able to memorize every line, every step, and timing given the length of their performance. We even joked that back in college, it would take us a month to come up with an ensemble like that.
They also did a very touching song pleading for Jesus to protect children. Early on, we were already given a heads up by the sisters not to show them pity so it was kind of hard holding back the tears during this song.
We had some games afterwards. Of course hindi mawawala ang walang-kamatayang Pinoy Henyo hahaha. The girls were asked to choose an ate/kuya to be their partner. They will be the ones to guess the word, and we are the ones to give them clues. However, we became useless hahaha. The kids were so enthusiastic and were screaming their lungs out answering 'oo/hindi/pwede'.
Of course we still gave them prizes even if they were not able to guess the word. It's amazing how something so small, so cheap (the items costs less than a cup of Joe!) can make a child happy. They looked at it as if it was the most beautiful and most expensive thing they ever got. Priceless.
Before we left, we handed them some more goodies. The Hello Kitty bags contained sanitary items like soap, powder, comb, elastic bands, face towel, toothbrush and toothpaste while the tumbler contained candies and other sweets.
I admire these girls for their courage, strength, and for maintaining a positive outlook in life despite whatever it is they've been through. They're such an inspiration.
We had so much fun that we ended up being there for 4 hours instead of only 2. It was such a rewarding experience and I'm glad I did not pass the chance to become part of it. :)
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photo credits: Ren Decano
However, I did have a very good start this year. Together with my college friends, we did an outreach program which we called "CoET Gives Back", CoET being the course we took (Computer Engineering Technology). And since most of us were DOST scholars back then, it was high time we pay it forward.
The organizers chose the residential shelter of Laura Vicuña Foundation. Currently, they house 18 street girls who may be orphaned, neglected, abandoned, battered, morally endangered and sexually abused. According to Wiki, Laura Vicuña is the patron of abused persons.Thus the name of the foundation.
We were supposed to go there last December but due to their unavailability, we were scheduled for January 8, 2011 instead. Coordination was done mostly via Facebook. Others opted to donate monetary contributions while others gave items like sanitary kits, groceries etc. since these are more needed by the kids according to the nuns supervising the shelter. We did not raise that much but surprisingly it seemed that what we brought was more than enough.
They also did a very touching song pleading for Jesus to protect children. Early on, we were already given a heads up by the sisters not to show them pity so it was kind of hard holding back the tears during this song.
Aside from the performance, they also gave us a handmade card. Sweet. :)
We had some games afterwards. Of course hindi mawawala ang walang-kamatayang Pinoy Henyo hahaha. The girls were asked to choose an ate/kuya to be their partner. They will be the ones to guess the word, and we are the ones to give them clues. However, we became useless hahaha. The kids were so enthusiastic and were screaming their lungs out answering 'oo/hindi/pwede'.
We had so much fun that we ended up being there for 4 hours instead of only 2. It was such a rewarding experience and I'm glad I did not pass the chance to become part of it. :)
----------------------
photo credits: Ren Decano
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