After Puypuy: Some notes on the recent back-to-school project

Very few people know that activities like this one usually leave me depressed rather than lighthearted or, as many would probably assume, fulfilled.

Because these events only confirm the fact that:

1. the supplies will only last a few weeks, or months
2. there is more substantial work to be done
3. these children need a lot more than a few pencils
4. we are only scratching the surface of a deeper, more basic issue

That is why I make it a point, at every community I visit, to really talk to people. And I encourage all volunteers to do the same. Get into conversations with the mothers, the children, and really find out what the needs are. And if, as a blessing, we or any of our contacts and friends have the capability to address those needs, then there lies your next project.

In Puypuy, I was able to talk to the school principal who told me that the school has many students who would usually come to class hungry and feeling faint. "How could you learn the lessons in the classroom if your stomach is empty?" she said. Very similar to Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal, where Isang Bata has launched a breakfast program in 2009, I believe this scenario is common to hundreds (thousands?) of urban poor barangays/public schools all over the Philippines.

Barangays and daycare centers conduct feeding programs, but according to the Puypuy principal, this doesn't happen every day. The children, however, need to eat every day and I think that if YOU can share a meal with a child at least once every week, it will make a big difference.

Encourage restaurant owners (hotel, resort, club owners, too, and their associations if any) to send excess food (good, safe and healthy food) to public schools or the local barangay once or twice a week. If you have safe and healthy food at home to share, do this in your own community.

Remember that little acts, when done collectively, will go a long way. If we'll think we can't make a difference because we are small or poor or busy, who will?

Let's do small things together, yes?

= = =

Volunteer organizations and individuals also need to be aware that it is always important to emphasize that whenever we give donations to people, it comes with a certain amount of responsibility. The last thing we want is to be an organization or individuals who blindly give dole-outs. If there are ways to empower the communities and teach them to be responsible for themselves WHILE we help them, I think that would be the best kind of assistance we can give.

Thinking about these things only make me realize the immense work, and responsible sharing that need to be carried out, carefully and slowly and consistently.

Just sharing my two cents. I would love to read your comments.

ISANG BATA'S ANNIVERSARY PROJECT: Isang Bata + The Forest Club's successful back-to-school project in Puypuy Elementary School, Bay, Laguna!

Last June 21, volunteers from Isang Bata and The Forest Club trooped to Puypuy Elementary School in Bay, Laguna to help inspire more than 50 Grade 1 students to study diligently and come to class every day. The program included a storytelling session with Lalaine Aquino (Kuting president and professor from the UP Diliman), a magic show by Ton Delgado, and parlor games conducted by The Forest Club marshals. 2 bags with school supplies and other personal items were distributed to each child.

The bags (one backpack and one gift bag) contained the following items:

notebooks
pad papers
pencils
ballpen
erasers
scissors
pencil case
ruler/art set
shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap and slippers
multivitamins 120ml syrup
snack pack
socks
crayons
raincoat
sharpener
plastic envelope
writing set
paste

The group also gave away the following prizes to the game winners:

art kits
magic slates
colored pencils
stamp sets
small backpacks
erasers

...and gave away 12 teachers' bags with the following contents for the classrooms, library, HE room, principal's office and canteen:

wall clock
bible
teacher's notebook/date book
art materials

Isang Bata would like to thank the following donors and volunteers:

Wawel Mercado
Robbi Mercado
Ruben Layug
Karen Cortes
Caloy, The Forest Club marshals and staff
The Vespa Club of the Philippines
Dino Narciso
Peter Foo
Lalaine Aquino
Ton Delgado
Sara Denise Mendoza
Daxx Bondoc
Helene Uy
Iris and JC Lorenzo
Patrick Dailey
Mary Anne Colico
Jaymie Divinagracia
Melissa Benitez
May Tobias Papa
Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting
Tata Francisco
Regina Maria Montessori in Sucat
Rossana Unson
Charlie Morales and Toto
John Talamayan
Leonard Regis
Bowi Aznar
Aileen Dealca
John Rana
Felipe Teh
Mark Laccay
Bhong de la Cruz
Gerry San Juan
Nelyo Alivio
Glynson Cua
Tops Marin
Gabby Buluran
Uriel Protomartir
Corrine Burgos
Danny Escano
Darvin Escano
Froilan Dejuras
Dr. Enjo Gatdula
Gabby Buluran
Caloy Barangan
April Abracia
Association Of Foundations
Polyton Industries, Inc.
Generics Pharmacy
Rowena Naesenth
Lisa Angulo
Vangie Montalbo
Anne Pagaduan
Marco Abelardo
Sara Denise Mendoza
Beth Gingoyon
Anna Talens
Mitch Gadja
Minnie Jumaquio
Jason Jumaquio
Janet Barbara
Lester Parulan
Wilma Roldan
Melody Dolosa
Principal Francisca Ramos


Program hosts from the upper grades


More than 50 Grade 1 pupils of Puypuy Elementary School


Impressive library


Ime Morales and Bowi, on their way to Puypuy


Gifts for the children


Ton the Magician. The kids loved him!


They were giggling throughout the funny Where's the Rabbit segment


Kuting's Lalaine Aquino told 2 stories that morning


The Forest Club's Wawel Mercado delivers a brief introductory remark


Onstage: Principal Ramos, Dino, Daxx, Wawel, Ime and Bowi


The kids went home with 2 bags each


We hope we inspired these kids to study harder


They also played games!


And they loved the prizes!


Ton Delgado making the little table fly :)


Isang Bata's Ime addresses the little children


Some of the people who made it happen


The children were served pancit, fried chicken and iced tea for lunch


Some of the teachers from Puypuy Elementary School


Isang Bata volunteer Dino Narciso helps distribute the bags

Isang Bata Receives Book Donations from Regina Maria Montessori

Isang Bata's Ime Morales with Regina Maria Montessori's Tata Francisco


Tata facilitated the donation of these books to Isang Bata, which the group will be sharing with Grace Leung's KaEskwela.


The elementary school books will be donated to Puypuy Elementary school during the back-to-school program of Isang Bata and Forest Club in June 2010 (probably third week).


Thank you to Wawel Mercado for lending us the vehicle (and Caloy) to pick up the books in Sucat, Paranaque.

Updates on Puypuy Elementary School back-to-school project

Isang Bata and The Forest Club have received donations in cash and kind, plus pledges from people here and abroad. To date, we have collected the sum of P10,500, books for the library, and school supplies for the 50 first graders we are helping this year. We will be posting the names of our donors before the actual event. But I am sending my heartfelt gratitude to the numerous people and organizations who are helping to make this project possible.

We have not set a final date for the event yet but most probably, it will happen on the third week of June. So if you plan to send more stuff over, please do. Here is a list of what we lack:

Personal things/toiletries for the kids like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap/shampoo, socks, towels, etc. You can also give water bottles or bottles of vitamins or milk.

For more information, you can leave a message here or email me through imelda.aznar@yahoo.com or text/call me through 09062457910