Volunteer for Community Day 2013

Author’s note: This is my article for the Internal Communications of our company, but since the activity really inspired me and I want other people to be inspired, I’m posting this here. I just hope that no copyright will be infringed and proper citations will be used. Thanks! 🙂

Volunteer for Community Day is an annual event of Thomson Reuters Manila as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, which is led by the Board of Directors, Human Resource Department, and various interest clubs. Now on its 5^th year, the company has been active in serving the community and engaging its employees to take part and share their time to the less fortunate. This year, on April 20, employees of TR Manila helped ten beneficiaries including Childhaus, ERDA Foundation, Virlanie Foundation, Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP) Community, Home for the Golden Gays, UP PAUW Child Care Center, CRIBS Foundation, Isang Litro ng Liwanag, Nazareth Home, and Graces Golden Reception and Activity Centre (Home for the Aged).

The event started at 6:30 am where 300-330 employees were picked up at Ayala FGU and were transported to different locations. After that, simultaneous volunteer activities were launched. Interest clubs like TR Chorus, TR Mintonette, TR Extreme Adventure Team, TR Organized Cooks, Pride at Work, and Working Moms led the activities.

(Photo courtesy of Justine Papina, Joy Defensor, and Khristine Vicente)

For the volunteer activity of Working Moms, they took the lead in volunteering at Create Responsive Infants by Sharing Foundation, Inc. (CRIBS) located at 30 Major Dizon St., Industrial Valley, Marikina City. CRIBS is a non-government organization that provides temporary shelter to abandoned babies, neglected children, and abused girls. Ms. Ma. Joyce Flora heads the compassionate and caring staff and volunteers who are committed to the caring, healing, recovery and the development of the children in this shelter.

Upon arrival, Ms. Joyce welcomed the group with opening remarks. She talked about CRIBS, its mission, the cases they handle, and how they take care of them. She, then, tugged the heartstrings of the volunteers when she said: “Balikan natin ulit ang ating buhay (Let’s look back and reflect on our lives). And compare your life with the lives of these children.”

She told the volunteers that they are lucky to have been respected, listened to, and taken care of by their parents, which the children in the shelter did not experience. The children in the CRIBS were not even hugged by their own parents. “Simpleng akap, hinahanap nila (Even a simple hug, they are craving for it) and they experience it, hugged by other women, hindi sariling nanay (not by their own mothers),” she said.

She also said that the volunteers may feel that their mothers are smothering them, but she pointed out that they should understand their mothers when they get overprotective and overbearing. She even emphasized that “that’s the only way that your mother can express na mahal kayo (they love you).”

To end her inspiring speech, she told the volunteers that the things that most people neglect or give little attention to are the ones that matter to the children in CRIBS. She said that unlike the fortunate and well-off people, these children are “looking for love.” She, then, highlighted that: “This is the reality outside of your home, reality outside the company.”

As a parting message, she said to the volunteers: “Kaya tanungin nyo ang inyong mga sarili (So ask yourselves)… Bakit ako napadpad, at kung bakit ako nandito (Why are you here?)… There’s a reason and try to discover.”

After the inspiring words of the head of CRIBS and the opening activity, volunteers were divided into three groups. The first group were assigned to play with the babies. The second group did an art activity with the toddlers, while the third group taught the teens about nail art. Volunteers also helped in feeding the children. To cap off the activity at CRIBS, members of the Working Moms and Lipper presented their donation to the shelter.

After that, at 12:30pm, volunteers of all the beneficiaries headed to 500 Shaw Events Pavilion in Mandaluyong for the Recognition Lunch. Ms. Marla Alvarez and Mr. Alvin Ricafort hosted the program. Volunteers were awarded certificates of recognition and tokens of appreciation.  As part of the program, Ms. Marla also talked about the company’s aim to fire up volunteerism and declare 2013 as the “Volunteer Year” across all business units of Thomson Reuters. She also thanked all the employees who participated in this year’s Volunteer for Community Day and hoped to see them again in the years to come.

___________________________________________________

CRIBS Foundation, Inc.

Head: Ma. Joyce Flora
Address: 30 Major Dizon St., Industrial Valley, 1802 Marikina City, Philippines
Tel. Nos.: (632) 641-1329/681-5921
Fax No.: (632) 647-1329
E-Mail: cribsnet@info.com
Website: http://www.cribsphilippines.org

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

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! 😉