Paying It Forward - The Filipino Rambler

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Friday, February 7, 2014

Paying It Forward

I've been a little busy the past two weeks hence the silence in this blog. :)

Busy, yes, and loving it. Being busy makes me alive. 

The past two Sundays were spent visiting and doing ministry with my youth group MUKHA AD (Masiglang Ugnayan ng mga Kabataang Hinuhubog sa Anyo ng Anak ng Diyos). Being one of the formators, part of my task is to provide them venues and opportunities in program formulation and introduce our members to apostolic ministries. Ang bigat ba? Hehehe

It was actually 3 Sundays of exposure to several institutions. The first was a visit to Cottolengo. Just in case you blinked, the entry's here. The other 2 were held at the Sisters of the Poor in QC and at the Ella Yallah Home of Virlanie Foundation.

Every Sunday, kids and young adults near the Convent of the Sisters of the Poor assemble for a Sunday Catechism. Our members were given a chance to facilitate a Sunday activity to more than 200 participants.

The kids in Sisters of the Poor were full of vigor! Everyone is very energetic and enthusiastic!

 Hanapin ang batang inaantok..ahihihi


We made pakain.. Ako ang nag-sandok ng kanin..ngunit natakpan ako..Ahihihi

It was quite a big number to have handled all 230 of them that day, but our members have double the compassion, dedication and  thrice the energy. Good job guys!


Here's a glimpse of the visit and ministry.

We were at the Ella Yallah Home of Virlanie Foundation for the last exposure. Virlanie Foundation is a private, non- profit organization reaching out to street children of the Philippines. This is my second visit to Virlanie. The first was last year at the Tanglaw Home. 

There are 12 Virlanie Homes that care for 20-30 children each. Each Virlanie home is structured like a traditional Filipino home. They have house parents: “fathers” and “mothers.” The social workers act as “uncles” and “aunts”. Like real parents, they look after the children’s well-being, make sure that they take care of their personal hygiene, are healthy, and that they all get along with each other. House parents give the children household tasks and ensure that they do their homework. More importantly, they make sure they’re are cared for and loved. Most of the children study in public schools. They are given opportunities for cultural, sports, and outdoor activities which are generally financed by sponsors. source

At least 24 young adults stay at the Ella Yallah Home. We had a chance to mingle with them, play games and showcase talents. I also had a chance to talk to some of the teens. Their stories are heart breaking but I believe most of them are gradually on the process of standing up once again, little by little putting back all the shattered pieces again together. I hope to see them one day succeed and be the happiest. :)

Group pic before going to Ella Yallah home..

It was a short visit to both the Sisters of the Poor Convent and the Ella Yallah Home of Virlanie Foundation, but I went home with a heart full of joy. love and gratitude. It was great to have brought smiles to all these kids and share our time. For the many blessings God has showered me and my family, this is my little way of paying it forward. :)

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PS. The best interests of each child are to be protected over any other consideration, including over advocacy for children's issues and the promotion of child rights, hence I have no photos to show during the Ella Yallah visit. :)
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Help Virlanie. Click here.

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Let's connect.


2 comments:

  1. You should come with us as well sometimes. May org kami na nag ooutreach din.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sure. Let's pull that together one of these days. :)

    ReplyDelete

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