Volunteering for Filipino street children with artwork

TO DREAM IS OKAY

Even though I have been working in the corporate career for many years now, it's been always my passion to draw and paint since I was a child. However, I did not pursue the path of creativity because of  "practicality" reasons and because I listened to the people around me to pursue otherwise. 

But it's okay, I still did my best to be productive working in the business world in my own way.

Deep inside me I want to make an impact in this world or at least to a person. I know I'm not as rich as the millionaires and billionaires who can change this world for the better using money. But I want to live my life worthwhile by giving something that I presently have - which is my time and using my little resource. With this I can somehow influence a child being raised in poverty to dream despite of their situation. 

So I decided to volunteer for street children. Their innocence to dream despite of the poverty motivates me to spend time with them and get to know them. Unfortunately, when they grow up it is not up to them to achieve their dreams but it is up to the opportunities available within their reach. 

That is why if these children are able to identify their skillset and passion at a young age. Maybe one day it's up to them to reach for the stars when they will know how to develop and utilize these skills  for them not just to survive in this competitive world but also become successful on their own.  When they become adults they will have an option or alternative lifestyle for them. Hopefully, one day they can leave the impoverished community and give back as well.

I decided to volunteer for a month as an Art teacher for the street children. It's also a dream come true for me. I went to their community. There are plenty of children who don't go to school because their family cannot afford to send them. There is no government support either. These children would go to the streets and ask for some money from people. 

When these children grow up as a teenager, I am afraid that they would be dealing with drugs or get pregnant at a young age. Perhaps being jobless and uneducated would be their possible direction given how the country is doing. 

That is their reality, for most of them and that is also our reality. Poverty plays a huge role in the family setting here in the Philippines. If only we can help the youth to be the hope of tomorrow, then the world would become a better place. And personally, when YOU help others, it's actually YOURSELF and YOUR SOUL you are helping because something is awaken within you - this Sense of Purpose whenever you serve others who are more unfortunate than you.

Bagyong Sendong Sagip Kapamilya

Disyembre 16 ng taong 2011, 9 na araw bago ang pagsapit ng pasko, hinagupit ang Cagayan at Iligan ni bagyong Sendong. Maraming nasira na buhay, maraming mga namatay. Naitalang may 1,300 na ka-tao ang namatay at missing parin. 12 midnight nang binaha ang halos 40 barangay sa Cagayan. Bilang Atenista at concern FILIPINO citizen ng bayan na ito, ako po ay nagpasyang mag volunteer sa SAGIP KAPAMILYA ng ABS-CBN kasama ng mga kaibigan ko at mga schoolmates. Nais kong makatulong kahit papaano.

 Hanggang ngayon, ang pinakailangan ng mga taga-Cagayan at taga-Iligan na mga biktima ng bagyo ay basic needs tulad ng tubig (potable/malinis na tubig), -simula na kasi nong bagyo, nasira ang mga linya ng tubig, pagkain (relief goods), mga damit (naglaho na kasi ang kanilang mga damit, at wala paring maayos na paliligo ang karamihan ng biktima). Sa SAGIP KAPAMILYA, tumulong ako sa REPACKING ng mga used clothings na dinonate ng ating mga concern citizens. (Of course, nagdonate rin ako.) Pinaalam ko sa aking mga kapamilya at kapitbahay ang pagvolunteer ko. 

*Photo credits to ADDU Samahan team 

Sa isang araw na experience ko sa pagvolunteer sa SAGIP kapamilya, na-realize ko kung anong hirap na lamang ng mga kababayan natin ang kanilang pinagdadaanan lalong-lalo na ngayon ay pasko. Papaano pa kaya sila magdidiwang ng pasko? May pag-asa pa kaya silang pinanghahawakan sa ngayon? Pero alam niyo, proud ako sa mga volunteer, dahil sa kabila ng pagod at init sa pagbabalot ng mga damit para ipadala sa mga nasalanta sa bagyo, NAGKAKAISA ang PILIPINO sa tuwing may mga unos na katulad nito. Nakakalungkot man isipin na wala nang matirhan ang karamihan, pilit parin natin sila tutulongan na bumangon dahil nasa dugo na natin ang pagka-PILIPINO.

Nakakatuwang isipin na ang ibang mga bansa ay nag-abala pang mamahagi ng tulong financial para sa mga taga-Cagayan at Iligan, sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo. Para sa akin, lubos-lubos na pera na iyun para makabangon sila. Sana hindi kurakotin ang mga malalaking halaga ng pera na ipinagkaloob sa atin ng mga taga-ibang bansa dahil para yun sa mga biktima ni bagyong Sendong at hindi pambulsa!