(Note: This entry was obviously made many months back na hehe…)
There are 3 cool things most kids would like to receive this Christmas:
- iPod touch worth 24,000 pesos
- PS3 worth 20,000 pesos
- A pair of comfy Crocs slippers for daily use worth 1,450 pesos
For the 95 kids of Kapatid Foundation from Payatas and Mano Amiga however, they have received gifts worth triple or even gazillion times more than the above stated items- gift of precious time and love, wrapped with a warm hug from their newly found ate and kuya.
It has always been the aim of Living Dreams (LD) Philippines to put realization to the dreams of underprivileged kids as such. Last December 13, LD had its Annual Outreach Christmas Party at Big Red Barn, Funranch, Frontera Verde Pasig City with a theme “Paskong Pambata ng Living Dreams”. It was attended by an overwhelming number of volunteers who took the opportunity to bond with the kids and to celebrate the joy of the Christmas season with the Kapatid Foundation and Mano Amiga kids.
The event officially started with Kuya Kimo’s opening prayer. After which, the party host took over the floor and rolled over a sequence of games and other fun-filled activities prepared most especially for our chosen beneficiaries. The games were done in pairs so as to build a bond between the kids and the volunteers which is one of the objectives of LD in each and every outreach activities. Of all, the game “Utos ng Hari” or “Bring Me” was the crowd’s favorite because it led the selected Kuyas to strut their talents out in dancing so they can be crowned as the most “handsome Kuya”. Kuya Franco, Timothy and Dennis did their share of moves as they dance to the beat of the modern song being played and it elevated the energy of the kids and volunteers alike as they cheer for their favorites.
It was also apparent that magic show is still the best eye-catcher because it gave so much amazement to the kids and to almost everyone who was watching it. To relieve the spirit of Pinoy Christmas in everyone and at the same time, to stimulate the creative juices of the kids and volunteers. parol-making activity was also done and the end-result was a spectacle of colorful star parols showcased in different sizes and styles. And of course, the party will never be complete without the appearance of the guest of honor, Santa Clause who gave away gifts at the end of the program.
Amidst the slight glitches at the beginning, the organizers found relief in seeing that everything was eventually put in order evident on the smile of the kids and the contentment on the volunteer’s faces. The laughter, the new friends, the jumps, the dances- it was indeed a testimony that Living Dreams has been once again a bridge that connected hope and realization. LD has been once again a medium that connected the underpriviledged kids and the volunteers who are willing to reach out and make a difference.
The chosen beneficiaries of Living Dreams may not be like the normal kids who can afford to own iPod Touch, PS3, Crocs slippers and other cool expensive things in the market nowadays. It doesn’t however make them less as a person in any way because the material things they lack can be covered by the overwhelming love and care their new Ates and Kuyas can give. The attention and love being showered by the volunteers will make the kids believe that not all things can be bought by money. And thus is the saying- “the best things in life are free”.
Living Dreams Philippines would like to thank Big Red Barn, Unilab and all individual generous sponsors who made this event financially viable. If you want to be posted of the latest LD activities, please join our LD multiply community at http://www.livingdreamsph.multiply.com and be part of our yahoo group http:///groups.yahoo.com/group/livingdreams_ph.
