Kwentong Kapuso: Helping Negros Oriental's poor, hungry flood victims

Note: The author is a resident of Concord, Calif., who immigrated in 1987 to this country.  She dreamed of becoming  a social worker, which did not happen.  Instead in 2005 she organized a nonprofit called 'Bisaya Kami' whose mission is to provide financial assistance to charitable institutions in the Philippines and local community. 

 

Though feeding the handicapped, orphans, homeless, flood victims,  the poor and the hungry are not as big of a mission for me as visiting the flood and earthquake victims last year, I was really looking forward to get on with it albeit my vacation in Negros Oriental, was quick and pretty hectic.

 

As suggested by several friends, I took the liberty of ordering spaghetti from Jolibee, famous fastfood chain that gives special discounts for fund raising events. This food along with the bananas, bread and apple juice made the less fortunate Filipino natives very delighted, the sparkles in their eyes said so. It is sort of a nice treat for them since most of these people never have tried anything so deliciously tasteful in their lifetime. Some volunteers and I also gave away clothing and candies.

 

The mentally ill housed in Talay were all smiles to have the goodies; they even sang to us out of happiness. 

 

An orphanage for boys, Casa Miani-Arvedi in Talay was a good place to visit, though the orphans were at school when we stopped by twice; the management was glad to see us.

 

There was a Shelter for Youth  in Talay that was added to the distribution list.    

 

In Valencia, the nuns at Friendship Home (abandoned children are being sheltered) and Casa Cittadini Foundation (girls orphanage) were so appreciative of us.   

 

The  kindergarten and grade 1 students at Babajuba Elementary School  in Dumaguete were  really glad to be thought about in a nice way, they savored the foods with glee.    

 

We were all over Dumaguete feeding the homeless, flood victims and the poor who were very pleased with the kind gesture; they excitedly accepted the treats speedily.

 

In Sibulan, flood victims, most particularly the urchins were ecstatic to see us.

 

Everyone was indeed thankful for receiving something wonderfully bountiful.

 

My special thanks to the volunteers who have helped me in the distribution process from early in the morning until after dark.  And my sincere appreciation goes to a wonderful friend, Diday Noay Marchan who responds to causes every time. 

 

I am extremely pleased at the success of my 'dollar' fund drive in California. Remarkably, many extended their help in one way or another, a lot of generous donations came from friends and their friends & relatives, which has given me overwhelming joy. 

 

The outreach mission would not have succeeded without the financial assistance and faithful support from the following friends and their colleagues (one name per family due to limited space): Jane Ali, Tony Guevarra, Francine Naas, Nazario Macaraeg, Helen Panugaling, Tim Lopez, Yoly Mimms, Victor Marino, Helen Cuya, Kathy Fiscus, Jhovee Santos, Mayco Duran, Homer Castillo, Leny Teves, Margie Consulta, Anabel Rigor, Miriam Oliver, Claddy Dennis, Jill Schmitz, Selina Gaitan, Remy Maranan, Jess Centeno, Pat Jung, Faye Joaquin, Donna Walton, Monette Valencia, Alan Gordon, Jane Aurellano, Elma Malloy, May Hembrador, Bobby Coronel, Nina Cromer, Richard Wortman, Luisa Pabalan, Marcy Estoque, Maritess Valencia, Edith Olsen, Joel Manalang, Effie Carino, Linda Mercader, Elaine Ding, Lina Danieles, Araceli Endres, Nic-Nic Brown, Dina Villamor, Lolita Cornista, Jenna Asuncion, Ely Viloria, Gilda Piles, Jill Waggoner, Lettie Dumlao, Gloria Victa, Fatima Rubio, Veneranda Toledo, Liezl Bautista, Emilie Bague, Josie Ferrer, Marilou Viray Mosley, Oliver Ybanez, Norma Ybanez, Rosalie Bonifacio, Flor Herce, Lily Noay Breitbach, Leonard Noay, Diday Noay Marchan, Nilva Marchan, Percy Marchan, Raul Llanda, Lala Sagismundo, Mardie Kincheloe, Rose Encarnacion, Angel Fontelar, Maria Vistro, Sarah Sta. Ana, Janice Alibayan, Nenette Murata, Virgie Cadiz, Marlyn Pinero, Virgil Maravillas, Rolando Sonjaco and Josephine Romero. 

 

Truly, I am so thankful to all for sharing their heavenly blessings! - Philippine News