The Third Big Day

If you can't imagine how pens and pencils inspire children...

just look at their smiles.

The Beneficiary

Having been one of the beneficiaries of the Social Involvement Coordinating Office (SICO) of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) in their feeding program, Barangay 31-D was selected as the beneficiary for the third distribution of Pens of Hope in Davao. It is an urban poor community with a population of 7,860 located in Boulevard, Davao City.

Barangay 31-D, Boulevard, Davao City

According to their Barangay Secretary, Chona dela Cuesta, about 60% of the population are under extreme poverty level. Because many of the residents are laborers, drivers, carpenters, fishermen and workers earning below the standard minimum wage, average income of each family ranges from Php 3,000 - 4,000. Due to financial constraints, many children lack school materials and some even drop out of school.

The Distribution

The alumni and existing SICO volunteers welcomed about 130 children at 2:30 in the afternoon on the rooftop of the Barangay Hall on December 28, 2009. After the opening prayer led by Karl Pregon and opening remarks given by Jeremiah Caballero, Ianne Aquino facilitated several games for the kids. Though the venue was a bit small and the weather was hot and humid, the children still energetically played...

Hep Hep, Horray!

Hala Utong

Paper Dance

Bring Me

The donated coloring materials were used as prizes for the impromptu art contest. The ten interested kids chosen to join the contest were given a piece of paper, a pencil and an eraser and were instructed to illustrate what Christmas means for them. Dan Guillano of Beyond Art's Sake and Angie Maestrado, a Davao-based artist/blogger served as the judges of the contest.

Entries for the Art Contest

When pens and pencils were distributed after the games, every face bloomed happiness. It was a kind of expression brought not only by the material gifts but also by the kindness that still exists in this world. Donating writing materials may seem a very simple act but for children who are deprived of this basic need, it already means a perfect Christmas present.

Beneficiaries waving their pens and pencils

To end the program, the children cheerfully sang 'Salamat' for all the donors who in their own ways have brighten the spirit of Christmas. They also received snacks before they were sent home.

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw

Walang iba kundi ikaw

Salamat sa liwanag mo

Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Acknowledgement

Many thanks to all those who never fail to support our project

• To all our donors for being generous enough to donate pens and pencils to our beneficiaries. (See list here.)
• To SICO for identifying the beneficiary.
• To Barangay 31-D officials for allowing us distribute writing materials in their community.
• To Jeremiah Caballero, Barangay 31-D SK Chairman, for coordinating with the barangay officials.
• To Seth delos Reyes of Sunstar Davao for dropping by and taking a few pictures.
• To Ana K, JP, Rohel, Mabelle, Jen A and Sham for helping in the collection of writing materials.
• To all volunteers (Ianne, Cark, Laurice, Diana, Hazel, Karl, Charmaine, Jeremiah, Dan, Angie, Kikit, Lorna, Liyah, Mailah, Ping and Step) who were present during the distribution.

Pens of Hope in Davao Volunteers

More pictures here.
MARAMING SALAMAT PO!