PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING

ISANG BATA UPDATE
June 3, 2009

Please keep them coming

We are less than two weeks from the deadline and while we have received numerous donations and pledges already, we still need more so we can help more children. So far, 3 people have given cash donations and more have pledged to give before the June 15 deadline. Around 3 people have also given stuff for the 40 preschool kids we're helping this year, and yes, more than 10 people have pledged to give something before the deadline as well! Hopefully, I can publish the donors' names in my next entry. It's really heartwarming and encouraging to see all these individuals who are willing to share what they have so poor children can have an education.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED AND THOSE WHO HAVE PROMISED TO GIVE SOMETHING. MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO ARE SPREADING THE WORD AND THOSE WHO ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE US THROUGH WORDS AND KIND THOUGHTS.

Big thanks to my partner Dino who's been tireless in collecting and picking up stuff. And to Karts Guerrero who has expressed her intention to join our little group here. Welcome, Karts! Gratitude to Betty, too, for helping me reach more people through her media contacts. We will definitely put up a PR plan for Isang Bata. Finally, thank you Arlene of Akap Bata for providing me with all the information I have requested.

Aside from the school kids in Muntinlupa, we might also be able to help a few students from Payatas in case we have extra items to give away. So really, we need more people to give so we can extend support to more needy children. Dondon Lanuza, an OFW on deathrow in Saudi Arabia, also sent us a message asking for help for his two school-aged children who are living here in the Philippines. We will do our best to allocate something for his little angels. Let me just mention here that Mr. Lanuza has been wrongly convicted and that his actions were made purely in self defense. He sent me numerous (!) documents including news writeups and court papers to prove that he's legit.

The small team of Isang Bata will be sitting down late this week to iron out the distribution details. If you're interested to join the current campaign or any of the future ones, please don't hesitate to drop me a line.

Here is a listing of the items that we need more of:

school bags
shoes and slippers
socks
towels
water bottles
children's books
toiletries including insect repellent, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, baby powder
grooming stuff like combs, headbands and hair elastics, toothbrushes
food items for baon like juices and biscuits
raincoats and umbrellas
medicines for children's cough and cold

Plus, of course, cash donations are welcome. We will be using the money to ensure that children can come to school and continue their studies even when their parents don't have baon money or cash for school projects and other school needs.

Please send all donations before June 15, 2009. For pickup or drop off arrangements, please coordinate with us through:

Ime 09164120636, imelda.aznar@yahoo.com
Dino 09052548486, bike_ko@yahoo.com
website: isangbata.blogspot.com