Impregnating Hope and Conceiving Happiness: A Seminar-Workshop for Teenage Mothers

Last February 24, 2013, my group mates and I excitedly went to Grace to be Born to hold a seminar-workshop for teenage mothers as part of our requirements in one of our Ed Psych classes. In order to relate the seminar-workshop to their experience, it was about the circumstances of being a teenage mother, how they would able to cope, and how to be happy still albeit their condition. We talked about their lives as a teenager, a pursuer of their dreams, a mother, and a seeker of Christ. We prepared activities like group sharing, building of dreams, letter writing, and singing. For 4 hours, we talked and interacted with the teenage mothers.

To start the seminar workshop, the movie “I Do” starring Enchiong Dee and Erich Gonzales was shown to the participants. The scenes that were portrayed focused on two college students who unexpectedly became parents. Along with this circumstance, the movie showed the struggle that the character of Erich Gonzales encountered as a young daughter, student and a teenage mom.

From there, we started the talks. The first talk was “The Taste of Life.” Through this activity, we learned more about what the teenager mothers are going through and how they feel about it. However, we made them feel that even though there are problems in their lives, there are still good parts. We made them realize that they still have reasons to be happy. We made them accept and appreciate the good as well as the bad.

The second talk was about dreams and goal setting. We encouraged them to make goals and build dreams inspite of their condition. We encouraged them to continue their studies, get jobs, and have a good life for their babies, their families, and most especially for themselves.

The next talk was about the ups and downs of pregnancy and the joys and struggles of motherhood. For the activity, the participants were asked to make a letter for their babies. It is believed that babies inside the womb can recognize the voice of their mothers, so they were also asked to share and read their letters aloud. Through this, we made them realize that their babies are gifts from God and their pregnancy is a blessing.

In the last talk, stories about seemingly unfortunate events that turn out to be for the better were narrated. Through these, we emphasized that even though some of their plans did not work out the way they wanted because they got pregnant, God still has beautiful plans for them.

Everything that we did in the seminar-workshop has an impact to me. The talks, activities, and discussions were relevant and helpful to me as a teacher and a student. Through the seminar-workshop, we tried to foster awareness and growth in attitudes and emotions of the teenage mothers. I am glad to know that, based on the teenage mothers’ evaluation of the seminar- workshop, we were successful in our endeavor, because our students that day felt happy and inspired. It is good to know that we made a difference in their lives. But they were not the only ones who experienced change that day. I, along with my group mates, was also inspired and encouraged and that memorable experience with the teenage mothers of Grace to be Born taught us a lot, not only about teaching and learning, but also about life.

Khristian, me, Micah, Nikki

The Love Project

According to studies, about 400, 000 abortions among women of all ages are performed in the Philippines every year (Raymundo, Zablan, Cabigon, Cruz and Berja, 2001). Out of this, about 800 Filipino women die because of complications of abortion (Singh, Juarez, Cabigon, Ball, Hussain & Nadeau, 2006). Estimates of induced abortions among Filipino adolescents even reached 319, 000 in the year 2000 (Varga & Rosa – Feramil, 2003). Through time, more and more women, especially teenagers, resort to abortion.

These and other alarming events have motivated Bo Sanchez, Rey Ortega, Ditas Espanol, and other members of the Light of Jesus Community to organize a pro-life ministry now called Grace to be Born. Grace to be Born is a non-profit organization that takes care of pregnant women in crisis and their babies. As support to pro-life movements in their advocacy campaign against abortion, this group put up a halfway house that provides shelter, food, clothing, and other needs including maternal care for mothers and neonatal care for babies. It is co-administered by Ester Palacio with the help of the resident nurse, Ellen Pearl Corral and other staff. This shelter, located at 53 Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue, Kapasigan, Pasig City, now houses 9 mothers and 16 babies. The shelter shoulders the maternity expenses of the mothers from the moment they were taken in and even after they deliver their babies. If the mothers are not able to take care of their newly borns, the shelter also supports and nurtures abandoned infants who are either up for adoption or to be transferred to other institutions. In managing and administering the shelter, it only relies on donations from other non-government institutions, church and civic groups, and kind-hearted citizens.

Volunteers like me assist in the learning and well-being of the mothers. Amidst their condition, we provide a nurturing and loving environment for them. In my two years of volunteering, I have handled young, unwed, poor, and confused women who have been disowned by their families, so they came to the shelter for help. Some of them were from the provinces of Visayas or Mindanao who went to Manila to work, but ended up being a house helper and getting pregnant. A few have been abused and raped by their own father or uncle. Some are even teenagers and the youngest is 13 years old. Some of the pregnant women graduated from high school, a few from college, and one was almost illiterate. This special student of mine is originally from Sultan Kudarat. She barely speaks Filipino and the other mothers have to translate the lessons to her. She can hardly write her name on the piece of paper. Despite her case, she participates in class. Her level does not stop her from learning and studying the lessons. Another mother is a third year high school student. In spite of being pregnant, she still continues her studies. Her mother gets the instructional materials from her school in Rizal and brings them to the shelter. She only goes to school during exams. In a way, she is being home schooled in the shelter. I am amazed by her diligence. In fact, she is one of the intelligent students in my class. Another smart student in my class is from Cebu. When she was eighteen, she rode a ferry and took a chance in Manila by herself. When she came here, she experienced living under a bridge just to survive. When she got pregnant, someone brought her to the shelter. One time after class, my heart melted when she told me that she liked the lesson I prepared and thanked me for volunteering to teach in the shelter. She also told me that she really wants to continue her studies and plans to go to school after she gives birth and have enough money.

This is what ignites and inspires us to continue volunteering — their new-found hope. Despite their circumstances, the mothers in Grace to be Born are hopeful and eager to learn. You can see it in their eyes. Hope fuels them and drives them to purse their dreams. We use that hope to help them achieve what they want to do after they have given birth and after they get out of the shelter to continue their lives.

Hope, Faith, and Love

Giving hope as well as spreading love is also the passion imbibed in Thomson Reuters. Although this corporate agency is known as the leading source of financial, legal, and other professional information and it is powered by the world’s most trusted news organization, employees of this company are not limited to the four corners of their work stations. This company provides opportunities for employees like me to interact with communities through their volunteer activities and fundraising projects.

This year, through their “Love Project,” employees of Thomson Reuters Manila held a benefit concert for the mothers and babies of Grace to be Born. On February 28, 2013, just in time for the Valentine’s month, the mothers were serenaded by the Thomson Reuters Chorus, joined by TRepsichore, and Trumpets & Harmony, all are interest clubs in Thomson Reuters Manila. It was a night of overflowing love and generosity. Through songs of love and interpretative dances, TR employees made the mothers of Grace to be Born feel that they are special and loved. True to their mission, these groups have inspired, expressed their appreciation, and extended help to the less privileged sectors of the community, like the Grace to be Born, through their gift of music.

As a volunteer in Grace to be Born, I am happy and grateful that I share the passion for volunteering with my colleagues in Thomson Reuters Manila. I am also proud to be part of a company that gives back and cares for social communities, not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the world. Through the company’s various corporate initiatives and individual actions, the less privileged are blessed. On behalf of the mothers of Grace to be Born and the other beneficiaries of Thomson Reuters Manila, thank you to all of you for spreading love and happiness through sharing a part of yourself. Let us continue to share our blessings to others and make a difference in other people’s lives. 🙂

_________________________________

Grace to be Born
53 Dr. Sixto Antonio Ave., Kapasigan, Pasig City
Tel. 6541377

Contact Persons:

Ester Palacio
09328880780
esterpalacio_26@yahoo.com

Rey Ortega
0917 816 4700 / 0922 859 7035
reylindo.ortega@gmail.com

Learning to be a Mother

A 12-year-old did it. She is the youngest mother I personally know, beating the record of the 14-year-old one. She was just another young, pregnant, unwed, and confused teenager among the many who come to the shelter for help. She was probably among the women who have been ostracized by their ultra-conservative village, because she got pregnant at a very young age. Perhaps, she was one of those who have been disowned and kicked out of the house, because her family considered her as wayward and rebellious. Maybe she was one of those who were from the provinces of Visayas or Mindanao who went to Manila to work and ended up being a house helper. I just hope that she is not one of those young people who have been abused and raped by their own father or uncle. Whatever the case maybe, the shelter welcomed her and will be taking care of her until she delivers her baby. In a few days, I would probably see her sitting quietly and listening to lectures along with my students.

I have been seeing the likes of her for almost a year now. She and the other mothers have been the reason why I have become a volunteer teacher in a shelter for women in crisis. I can still remember how my vocation started. It was Mothers’ Day when my church group decided to have an outreach activity in the shelter for the mothers and babies. We prepared food, games, and other fun activities for the pregnant women in the shelter. We even performed a skit about the birth of Moses. It was taken from the Book of Exodus and the story started when the pharaoh commanded the entire nation to throw the baby boys in the Nile River, leaving only the baby girls alive. Because of this, the mother of Moses had to make a basket of papyrus, put her boy in it, and let her son be carried by the river in order to save him. Then, the pharaoh’s daughter went to the river to bathe and saw the baby boy. She took care of the baby and named him Moses. I wrote the script in order to highlight that the mothers in the shelter were like the mother of Moses. They sacrificed so that their babies would live. Despite their situation, we wanted to celebrate the gift of life and their motherhood. I could see that the mothers were so moved with the story. A few even shed a tear. We later found out that they could relate to the story because some of them had to leave their babies behind once they get out of the shelter. These young pregnant women came from poor families. They were admitted in the shelter because they have no money to provide themselves and their babies with maternal and neonatal care. Some of them became instant mothers because of teenage pregnancy. A few of them attempted abortion out of hopelessness of their situation. That was the time when I said to myself that I would like to help and bring them hope.

Since then I have been teaching English to the pregnant women in the shelter after my 9-to-6 corporate job or during weekends. Teaching them is quite challenging, especially during the first few class discussions. My “students” are in different levels. I could opt to group them according to their levels, but because of time constraint I can only meet them for one to two hours once a week.  Some understand the lessons, the others can catch up, but a few barely comprehend. This is because some graduated from high school, a few from college and one is almost illiterate. This special student of mine is from Sultan Kudarat. She barely speaks Filipino and the other mothers have to translate the lessons to her. She can hardly write her name on the piece of paper I distribute during spelling and writing exercises. But she can recognize the sounds of the words that I dictate. She can mimic the pronunciation and copy the letters and words written on the paper. Despite her case, she participates in class. Her level did not stop her from learning and studying the lessons. Eventually, she gets the lesson and enjoys the conversation practices, games and other activities that I prepare for them. Another mother is a third year high school student. In spite of being pregnant, she still continues her studies. Her mother gets the instructional materials from her school in Rizal and brings them to the shelter. She only goes to school during exams. In a way, she is being home schooled. I am proud of her and I have high regard for the encouragement and support of her mother. In fact, she is one of the intelligent students in my class in the shelter. Another smart student in my class is from Cebu. When she was eighteen, she rode a ferry and took a chance in Manila by herself. When she came here, she experienced living under a bridge just to survive. When she got pregnant, someone brought her to the shelter. One time after class, my heart melted when she told me that she liked the lesson I prepared and thanked me for volunteering to teach in the shelter. She also told me that she really wants to continue her studies and plans to go to school after she gives birth and have enough money.

This is what ignites and inspires me to continue volunteering — their new-found hope. I can see it in their eyes. I can feel it whenever they tell me their stories. Although I am single, unmarried, and have no children yet, I understand what these pregnant young women are going through. Being a mother at a very young age is really hard and even depressing. They are physically, emotionally, and financially unprepared. While people their age are studying, reading books, watching movies, going to parties and hang-out places, and meeting new friends, they are staying in a shelter away from home and their families because they are pregnant. They carry life in their wombs while the others are enjoying the time of their life as teenagers. For these mothers, everything has become fast-forward. They now have to nurse their babies and become parents. Despite their condition, they are eager to learn. They still want to pursue their dreams. They hope and pray for a better future, not only for themselves but also for their babies. Hope fuels them to learn and it helps them become responsible and caring mothers.

So to them, and to all the mothers, out there, I salute you! Happy mother’s day! 🙂

The Big Reveal

I didn’t expect that it would happen today. Today that I wasn’t there to talk to my little sister about it. Today that I wasn’t there to tell her it would be alright. Today that I wasn’t there to hug her and say “nothing really has changed.” I wish I was there. I wish I told her the truth face-to-face, and not from a text that she read from my mom’s phone.

Just a while ago, I was texting with my “student,” one of the mothers that I teach at the shelter (Grace to be Born). She was telling her story, because I told her that I would write something about my experience teaching women in crisis. She told me how she rebelled, how she ended up pregnant, and how she was brought to the shelter. She told me that it started when she was 18. She found out that she was adopted, not from her adoptive parents but from somebody else. From then on, she got insecure. She felt lost, incomplete, and unappreciated even more everytime she sees how her parents treat her siblings. Although her adoptive parents gave her financial support, she felt they did not provide her with moral support and understanding that she needed. Even though they were good to her, she rebelled. She turned to a relationship, a relationship where she thought would make her whole. But it didn’t. She ended the toxic relationship. She went to Manila to stay with her mom. But what she didn’t know was she was pregnant. She wanted to be unburdened, and yet she was carrying a child. She got pregnant during a time that she wasn’t ready to be a mother. Her family found out about it. They got mad and wanted to kick out of the house. Good thing, a friend of her mom found out about the shelter. This concerned lady told her mom to bring her to the shelter instead. She stayed in the shelter for 4 months as one of the young pregnant women in crisis. She was taken care of and her baby until she gave birth. And just last Wednesday, she already got out of the shelter. She told me she is trying to reconnect her ties with her family again.

After hearing her story, I thought of my little sister. We adopted her when she was seven months old. Now, she is eight. I texted my mom about my “student’s” story. I told her that maybe we should tell my sister that she is adopted. I was afraid she would take my “student’s” path and I don’t want her to have that kind of life. I know how hard it is to counsel confused young pregnant women. Even though I teach them conversational skills in English, their stories and what they are going through show in their English essays that I instructed them to write. Alongside checking their grammar, it was my way to get to know them and counsel them. I give them feedback and advice on what they wrote. I encourage to have hope and give them assurance that life is still good amidst their circumstances. I don’t want to do this with my sister. I want to spare her from the harshness of this world. When I came home to Lucena last week, I tried to convince my dad to tell my little sister the truth. I expressed my fear and worry of her future. I told him it’s time to tell her. She is still young and won’t think ill of us, if everything is explained to her properly. But my dad refused and told me that she is not old enough to understand. He fears that the truth might affect her studies. Even though I could still argue with him, I grew silent. But I was thinking of telling it myself.

But I did not expect that it would be today. As of this writing, my dad chatted with me and said that my little sister locked herself in her room. She read my text for my mom telling her about my “student’s” story and convincing her to tell my little sister the truth. I told my parents to wait until she calms down and gets out of the room. I told them to give her the personal essay that I wrote about my little sister when she was six. We think that she read it before and understood, but she just wanted confirmation from us. I told them to tell her everything. I just hope and pray that she would understand that she is part of the family no matter what. I hope and pray that she wouldn’t feel that she doesn’t belong, because we love her and treat her like our own. I hope and pray that even though today is her life-changing moment, nothing has changed really — only the secret of the family has been revealed and a part of the puzzle has been put into the right place.

Beyond the Birds and the Bees (Part 1 of 2)

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! 🙂 According to Wikipedia (which I used for ease and indolence), Valentine’s Day is a holiday observed on February 14 to honor Saint Valentine. Since then, it became associated with romantic love. Valentine’s Day symbols include the heart-shaped figure, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. During this occassion, lovers expressed their love for each other through flowers, greeting cards, and other “sweet” stuff (which I consider as commercialism). And due to modernization, lovers now engage in… you know what. Don’t get me wrong. I like the feeling of being inlove and I have celebrated Valentine’s Day with someone I love. It’s just that I have had my own experiences and observations, which made me aware of how things work and happen in this world. Thus, before you (especially the youth) do anything that you would regret in the end, I encourage you to read the following article I wrote:  

Another 14-year-old did it. She was just another young, pregnant, unwed, and confused teenager among the many, who was probably misguided and misinformed. She was probably among the women who have been ostracized by their ultra-conservative village, because she got pregnant at a very young age. Perhaps, she was one of those who have been disowned and kicked out of the house, because her family considered her as wayward and rebellious. Maybe she was one of those who were from the provinces of Visayas or Mindanao who went to Manila to work and ended up being a house helper. I just hope that she is not one of those young people who have been abused and raped by their own father or uncle. Whatever her case maybe, she was sent by her mother or friend to be taken care of in the shelter for women in crisis. In a few days, I would probably see her sitting in the dining area (which is converted to a classroom on Saturdays) listening to lectures along with my students.

For a volunteer teacher in Grace to be Born, a shelter for pregnant women in crisis, like me, seeing the likes of her is saddening. Although there are shelters and other institutions that help the abused, abandoned, and impoverished pregnant women, the truth still remains: teenage pregnancy, abortion, and poverty are prevalent. In the Philippines, estimates of induced abortions among Filipino adolescents reached 319, 000 in the year 2000 (Varga & Rosa – Feramil, 2003). About 400, 000 abortions among women of all ages are performed every year in the Philippines (Raymundo, Zablan, Cabigon, Cruz and Berja, 2001). About 800 Filipino women die every year because of complications of abortion; majority of them are poor, have some high school education (Singh, Juarez, Cabigon, Ball, Hussain & Nadeau, 2006). And if these teenagers cannot afford abortion, they give birth to their babies in hostile and poor conditions. Then, these unwanted babies become children roaming around the streets begging for other people’s change or leftovers just to have at least something to put in their hungry and thirsty mouths. Majority of them repeat this vicious cycle into their adulthood and pass poverty unto their own children. This is happening in the Philippines. Can you imagine how it is for the other underdeveloped and developing countries? The global scenario is much worse. This is the ugly truth I see everyday. And this is a memory that I do not want my future children to remember.

Caring for Women in Crisis at Grace to Be Born

It is good that there are non-profit and non-government organizations that protest against abortion, pursue reproductive health and population development, and help alleviate poverty. The shelter I volunteer in is one of them that take the responsibility of ensuring the maternal health of women and the neonatal care of their babies. But we can only do so much. Although we protest against abortion, more and more teenagers still mindlessly engage early in sexual activities that lead to unwanted pregnancies. More and more teenagers become instant parents who are not emotionally, mentally, and financially prepared. They are not well-educated and well-informed about their sexuality, much less about responsible parenthood.

My friend, who is also a volunteer, told me that teenage pregnancy is a product of the mass media. I agreed and added that it was the “bad fruit.” Mass media feed people with so much information, but sometimes they fail to filter what is good and what is bad. It seems that mass media promote adulthood as a stage where you get drunk and have sex. And when you get pregnant, because you are not ready for motherhood yet, you look for “underground” peddlers who sell abortifacient or go to “clinics” for abortion. My friend said that the effect of this propaganda is blinded consciousness. Teenagers become aware about their gender and sexuality and yet, they mishandle and they are misinformed about it.

Amazing Grace

I can’t believe it has been three months. Only three months? It feels like forever.  I’ve been going to the shelter, exhausted from my 9-to-6 corporate job on Tuesdays and going home more renewed and inspired, for three months now.  I’ve been teaching English to the 14 pregnant mothers and playing with the 16 babies since October and it has been a habit. A hard habit to break, I must say. Three months and I feel I’m addicted. I’ve been really attached to Grace To Be Born and it feels like I couldn’t get enough.

Sometimes, I even find myself visiting when I’m not supposed to. I sometimes come unannounced, even if I’m not scheduled to teach, because my feet just carried me there. Just what happened a little while ago. I went to the Adoration Chapel in the Immaculate Conception Church in Pasig with my housemate. We were about to go home, but there was Sto. Niño procession when we got out. We had to walk because the streets in Kapasigan were closed. My housemate got a little tired, but the good thing was Grace To Be Born was just a few blocks away. So we decided to stop and visit for a while. We ended up spending two hours chatting with the mothers, the volunteers, the staff, and playing with the babies, even changing their diapers. Totally unexpected and unplanned!

Just as how I came to know about Grace to be Born. It has been three years, but I still remember how. It was through Pearl, the staff nurse, whom I met during the Jesus Encounter at Feast Pasig. At that time, all I was asking from God was for me to be healed from a broken heart. But Pearl was asking for another prayer. She was a fresh graduate with a Nursing degree and at that time, she was weighing her options. She was considering saying “Yes!” to the Lord and giving up working in big hospitals here and abroad. Deep in her heart, she wanted to volunteer in Grace To Be Born, a shelter for women in crisis, and she was asking for wisdom and guidance. I was inspired by Pearl’s story. Because I was moved, I wanted to volunteer as well. However, I had personal issues to resolve first at that time.

But God had his ways. When I joined a caring group, our CG head, Bro. Joel, decided to have an outreach activity in the shelter for mothers and babies. It was timely, because we went there one week after Mother’s Day. We prepared food, games, and other fun activities for the pregnant mothers. We even performed a skit about the story of Moses. I wrote the script in order to highlight the message that the mother of Moses sacrificed and let her son be carried by the river in order to save him. This is how selfless and loving mothers are. And we wanted to tell the mothers in the shelter that they are like the mother of Moses. After the activity, the director of the shelter then, Sister Claire, asked us if we could form a caring group for the mothers. I told our CG head that it was a good idea and I even volunteered to help him organize the group. Unfortunately, we got busy so we were not able to pursue the plan.

But it was as if God wanted me to come back to the shelter. One officemate of mine donated maternity clothes for the mothers. So, I went to the shelter to bring the donations. And my visit was very again timely. Pearl and Miss Ester, the new director of the shelter, told me that they needed a volunteer teacher. At that time, I felt that God wanted me to serve and volunteer. And so I said “yes.”

When I got home, I was very excited and eager to start working. I looked up topics and lesson plans on the Internet. I even couldn’t sleep because of so many thoughts and plans in my head. But it dawned on me that my challenge was my schedule. I worked from 9am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays. I tutor a high school student on Mondays and Wednesdays after work. So, I thought of forming a group of teachers that will have shifting teaching schedule. I posted on Facebook and asked my friends for help. Thank God, two of my friends responded and volunteered. And the good thing about it is they have Literature and Speech Communication background.

Teaching in the shelter has been a big challenge for us, yet a fulfilling vocation. We juggle our corporate jobs, teaching, and other activities all at the same time. But it is all about time management really.  I teach Grammar on Tuesdays; a friend teaches Speech on Thursdays; and another friend teaches Business English on Saturdays. We have survived teaching the pregnant mothers who are in different levels — some graduated from high school, a few from college, and one is almost illiterate. It was hard, especially during the first few class discussions. Some understand the lessons, the others can catch up, but a few barely comprehend. For one, some of them cannot speak Filipino well, because they are from Visayas or Mindanao. So how are they supposed to understand English then?  Good thing, the other mothers cooperate and even translate the lessons to those who are not able to grasp the discussion. Often, we, the volunteer teachers, give special attention and even give one-on-one tutoring to those who have difficulty. And what ignites and inspires us to continue volunteering is their eagerness to learn. You can see it in their eyes. Hope fuels them. And we use that hope to help them achieve what they want to do after they have given birth and get out of the shelter.

And the more that the challenges* come; the more that we want to help them and the more that we become bonded. Some of the mothers who have been with us during the first few classes have already borne their babies and have to leave the shelter to find work. However, we still keep in touch and communicate once in a while. Sometimes, they visit their babies or I chance upon them in the Feast. Also, if some have left, a few have been added to the class. We just had a “sembreak.” But because the holidays are over, we will have to start another “sem” with another set of students. Unbelievable!

Anyway, it feels like all paths, at least my own path, lead to Grace To Be Born. It seemed unexpected and unplanned at first.  Yet, when I think about it now, maybe it was really meant to be. It has been 3 months and I’m hoping that I can still have the time this year to continue the volunteer teaching. It is because the mothers, the babies, and all the staff have become my family. And Grace To Be Born has become my shelter, too.

*Unfortunately, one of the volunteer teachers won’t be able to teach anymore. That is why we are currently looking for volunteers. If you know someone who is inclined to this kind of vocation, please PM me or post a comment on this blog entry. Thanks! 🙂

Raise Your Hands Up and VOLUNTEER (to get FREE Harry Potter tickets, free FULFILLMENT plus FREE ticket to HEAVEN)!

Part of my to-do list  this year is to participate in volunteer activities. I want to give back to the community, especially, the Christian community. This is one act of service (to God and my “neighbors”) that I want to pursue. Last January, I participated in a volunteer activity in Tahanan ng Pagmamahal, a small orphanage for children, located at St. Francis St., Valle Verde, Oranbo, Pasig City, where I had my extended birthday celebration. Then, I went to Virlanie Foundation (which I forgot to blog about because it was overshadowed by my LiveAids watching), which is a partner of our company. This shelter, which is located  at Yague St., Brgy. Singkamas, Makati City, houses streetchildren who are “in need of special protection: abandoned, abused, exploited, neglected, orphaned, poor.” And then, I’ll have another one on May 22, Sunday, at Grace to be Born, a shelter for unwed pregnant mothers and abandoned babies. This is located at 53 Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue, Kapasigan, Pasig City. For those who have a kind heart and who are interested to help, you can donate in kind, cash, or any form of help. The shelter currently needs diapers, milk, feeding bottles, old maternity or baby dresses, mittens and booties, toiletries, etc. Plus, the shelter needs money for the delivery of the pregnant women, which really costs an arm and a leg. (For inquiries and donations, you may call or email Mr. Rey Ortega at rortega_corinthians@yahoo.com, 09228597035/Ms. Myrna Ortegaat myrna.ortega@gmail.co, 09178039139. You can check their site by clicking the link here. Or you can post here in my blog and I’ll pass it on our church group.)  Then, I got an e-mail from my team manager just this morning about a volunteer activity of British Alumni Association for Brigada Eskwela, in CUMBA-QUEZON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, located at Cumba, Lipa City, on May 29. Here’s the e-mail:

Dear BAA Members,

May we interest you, your friends and networks to join us and the British Alumni Association (BAA) for this year’s Brigada Eskwela. 

Brigada Eskwela is the Department of Education’s (DepED) annual program to prepare all public schools nationwide for the opening of classes in June.  As part of its commitment to assist in the plight of disadvantaged children, BAA shall once again participate in this undertaking.  We would like to invite to take part in this cause as a volunteer your time and/or to provide support in cash or in kind.

This year, the BAA have identified the CUMBA-QUEZON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL located at Cumba, Lipa City as the recipient of its assistance.  We recently visited the school to assess their requirements and identified the cluster of classrooms for which the assistance we will provide will be utilized.  We’ve also coordinated the effort with the school administration as well as the education managers in-charge of the school. We are scheduled to participate in the Brigada Eskwela on 29 May 2011.

Each of those who volunteer or provide a donation in cash or kind will get 50% off the price of ONE (1) ticket for our Special Screening of the latest Harry Potter (the 2nd part of the last book) scheduled on July 15, 2011-7:00PM at the Cinema of EDSA Shangri-la Mall.  Each of those who volunteer and provide a donation in cash or kind will get a FREE ticket.

We look forward to your partnership with us this year.  For more information, please get in touch with me or the BAA Secretariat via:

+63 (2) 6388304, + 63 (921) 7323646, +63 (927) 8780166, sarah15_grecia@yahoo.com.ph/baa.secretariat@gmail.com.

 Thanks so much for your continuing support.

 Best regards,

 ELCID C PANGILINAN

Executive Director

British Alumni Association

These volunteering activities are fulfilling. Not only you get to help other people, but you also get some freebies, like that of the Harry Potter tickets (and a free ticket to Heaven). These activities do not cost much. You only have to spend some time with other people, like you do with your special someone, family, friends, co-workers, and other people. So why not extend a helping hand, especially to those who are needy? So, my dear friends, I encourage you to raise your hands up, sign up, and volunteer! 😉