Sunday, November 28, 2010

Isang Bata donates 2 computer units to Wawa Elementary School, feeds 20 children for 6 months through the Feed Their Future Project

A few quick announcements:

1. With the help of San Miguel Corporation (through Dong Magcalen and Rosie Unson), Isang Bata donated cash to Feed Their Future Project (www.feedtheirfuture.org) to help nourish 20 school children from Pinagsabiran Elementary School in Tanay, Rizal. The money will be used to feed these children healthy lunches three times a week for six months starting January 2011. Isang Bata thanks Daxx Bondoc for coordinating this project.

I will be conducting my second round of Values Education Seminar for the Pinagsabiran children in January. Volunteers are welcome to take part in this.

2. On December 4, 2010, Isang Bata will go up to Wawa Elementary School to donate 2 computer units to this equipment-strapped institution. Principal Mercy Gutierrez has made the request a few months ago. Through Aithne Lao and her DLSU-based organization, Isang Bata is finally making this wish come true. Volunteers are welcome to participate in the turn over on Saturday.

3. Story Therapy for the sick children of Philippine Children's Medical Center is pushing through this December 7 and December 25 (Part 2). Slots are still open for the Christmas day event. All 15 volunteers for the December 7 leg will receive final guidelines after Wednesday, December 1. Those who wish to join the December 25 activity, please email me through morales.ime@gmail.com or text me through 0917-9378617.

KEEP THE LOVE BURNING FOR THE CHILDREN! :)

Friday, November 19, 2010

On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you?

I asked them this question this morning and was surprised by their answers. Most answered 7, 8 or 9, and one even gave it a 10!

I went to Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal on the morning of November 20 to meet with the 8 Isang Bata scholars from Wawa National High School. I actually went up to Wawa for a bit of chitchat with Christine, Lino, Ryan, Badette, Cedrick, Danilo and Jericho (Sam didn't make it to the meeting). We had some snacks, talked about our most fervent wishes, the things that make us sad, the things that make us happy, how we cope with life's challenges, our plans for the future, etcetera, etcetera. It was, on the whole, about things that one would talk about with friends over coffee at Starbucks. But our little heart to heart conversation happened up in the mountains of Rizal, over tetrapak juices and mamon, inside a dusty classroom in Wawa National High School. I would have this over Starbucks any day. These children are amazing. They inspire me and continue to prove that their happiness meter can hit the higher numbers better than most of us who enjoy life's little luxuries. Here are 7 of the 8 Isang Bata scholars. Meet Christine, Lino, Ryan, Badette, Cedrick, Danilo and Jericho.


Badette dreams of becoming a teacher someday. She loves to sing. Her most fervent wish is to finish college and get a good job so she could help her parents and her 10 siblings.


Ryan dreams of becoming a lawyer someday. He was born without legs and arms, but his spirit is strong and his will, tough. He told me that they are being evicted from where they are living, and wishes for a permanent dwelling for his family.


Lino lives with his siblings and their relatives after his father passed on and his mother left them to fend for themselves. He loves to sell things and wants to take up Business Management in college. Lino is serious about his studies and his grades are proof of his diligence.


Ryan, Lino and Christine shared their hopes and dreams with me. Their optimism and happiness are amazing, especially Christine's.


Christine is a reader. Among all the scholars, she's the highest achiever, and the happiest! She is a charming A-type persona who dreams of becoming a high school teacher someday.


Jericho walks to school for one hour every day, and walks back home for another hour after school. He crosses mountains and rivers every single day just to get to school at six am. Talk about determination.


Danilo's right eye is blind and has glaucoma. Dr. Carlos Alberto from St. Luke's QC recommended surgery, but the family is hesitant because of the cost. He might need that surgery soon because his eye has been very painful lately, keeping him from coming to class. Despite his physical and economic handicap, Danilo seems a very happy, very positive kid. And his manners, impeccable.


Cedrick will be graduating next year and dreams of going into IT. He's your typical boy next door who gets bored at home and who would rather spend his time hanging out with friends. But don't be fooled, he is serious about his studies and is happiest when his siblings and parents are happy as well.




Working on some light exercises


Ime and scholars during workshop


Isang Bata's Ime Morales with Cedrick, Badette, Lino, Ryan (seated), Christine, Danilo and Jericho.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Join STORY THERAPY, Isang Bata's Christmas Program for Sick Children

You don't need to spend money to make a child happy this Christmas. Isang Bata is inviting you to take part in its Story Therapy project on December 7, 2010 at the Philippine Children's Medical Center in Quezon City, where a lot of children will be spending the holiday season sick in their hospital beds. Let us make Christmas just a little bit brighter for these children.

We will be working with around 150 children, so we need as many volunteers as possible. Volunteers only need to pick an inspiring storybook and read it to a sick child on the day of the program. Invite your friends to come so you can have fun while making a difference together. Everyone is encouraged to unleash their creativity during storytelling: you can use props, music, puppets, etcetera. Remember, it's your gift to them.

Around 60 of these children are infants (neonates, the hospital calls them). So if you can also bring at least one rattle or one soft toy (or any kind of baby toy) on December 7, that would be awesome as well. You're also welcome to bring gifts for the older children, if you like, in the form of books, toys or clothes.

Register now as a storyteller, and let's offer some Story Therapy to these sick children. Please contact me (Ime Morales) through:

0906-2457910
morales.ime@gmail.com

Deadline for registration is on November 30, 2010.

Please spread the word and help me share this announcement to as many people as possible.