How Far Can Your 100 Pesos Go This Christmas?

Looking for a special way to celebrate Christmas this year? Thinking of how to express gratefulness for all the blessings you received in 2016? Planning for an outreach program with your friends this season of giving?

Come and join Pens of Hope in Davao in our outreach program in Barangay Panalum, Paquibato District on December 18, 2016.

Here are specific ways to support us:

1. Donate hygiene kits

This year, we plan to donate hygiene kits to 103 kids in the community. We suggest the following contents for the hygiene kits: tissue, toothbrush, toothpaste, cotton buds, body soap, talcum powder, alcohol. Each kit costs about 100 pesos, depending on the product brand you choose. Any brand will do. 

Collection center: Lala's BBQ, Corner Porras and Loyola Streets, Obrero, Davao City. Please tell the staff it's for Pens of Hope in Davao.

2. Sponsor a magic and/or puppet show 

We'd like the kids to experience something fun this Christmas, and so we thought of organizing a magic show for them. We contacted Cynthia Ocana, organizer of Happy Face, and these are their rates: 

• Magic show - Php 3,000.00
• Puppet show - Php 3,500.00

Sponsors may pay the company directly or may coordinate with us for the payment. Below is their contact information:

• Name: Cynthia Ocana
• Contact number: +639107121575

3. Join the outreach

You are welcome to join us on December 18. We are still in the final process of finalizing our schedule, so please follow our Facebook page to stay updated. 

For questions, please reach out to us via our Facebook page. 

Thanks again for your all support.  

 

Pre-Wedding Activity: Gift-Giving in Mahe, Seychelles

November 2016.

A day before their much-awaited beach wedding, Witek Suchy and Eirene Napuli spent some time giving-out pens, writing materials and treats to kids of Grand Anse Primary School, in Mahe, Seychelles along with fellow travelers Ping Pata and Lim Ah Soon. The Pens of Hope beneficiary school was identified with the assistance of Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa.

Sylvette Joubert, Head of Grand Anse Primary School, introduced the volunteers to around 63 Seychellois kids who eagerly welcomed the group and received the gifts with generous smiles. The pupils, some with the support of their teachers, showcased their skills in writing their names.

Grand Anse Primary School is one of the Eco-Schools, a program which promotes sustainability through environmental education in all government schools in Seychelles. Teachers and pupils become aware of sustainability issues and find ways to help the school to become more environmentally friendly, such as energy and water conservation and solid waste management. The school is close to the beach with a river channel that flows to the mangrove habitat.

Mersi to Virginie Barbie and Brigitte Rignace of Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort Spa and to Mhil Pamilacan for the generosity shared to our volunteers through resource contribution, assistance and time. (Mersi is thanks in “Kreol Seselwa", a French-based creole language spoken in Seychelles).

About Seychelles

An archipelago and country in the Indian Ocean blessed with a year-round warm, tropical climate, the islands of Seychelles boast paradise escape - long, idle days basking in the sun on endless white beach, floating lazily in cool waters of azure blue ocean. Apart from the purely blissful purpose of just getting away from it all, tourists also enjoy Seychelles’ opportunities for water sports, walks and trails through lush countryside and wildlife exploration.

Gift-Giving in Zanzibar: First International Event of POHD

“While traveling is admittedly a selfish endeavor, it doesn’t have to be only that. You can have plenty of adventure and at the same time leave a positive impact on the place you’re visiting. There are little ways to wander aimlessly and find a purpose while doing so. One thing I believe in is the power of pens in making dreams come true. By writing them down, we make dreams achievable. By sharing pens, we make things happen.” – Ping Pata

On 12 September 2016, our co-volunteer Ping Pata together with 8 travellers distributed pens and writing materials to around 40-50 Zanzibari kids from a small village in Pongwe, Zanzibar, East Africa.

While the initial plan was to distribute only to 15 kids, the turn-out of attendance was approximately tripled. Coincidentally the day marked the Eid ul Hajj (also known as Eid-al-Adha or Eid al-Kabir) when Zanzibaris observe the celebratory feast of sacrifice with fervor. Kids donned in their prized local dress were excited to receive their gifts and cheerfully entertained our volunteers with their singing.

The pens distribution when proposed by the guest volunteers to the Azao Resort and Spa management was enthusiastically supported that they invited the kids from the nearby village to come inside their resort, offered their play area facilities for the pens distribution and their pool area for snacks and recreation. Their staff also volunteered in sharing candies and pens and gave our volunteers generously discounted snacks rates to the great delight of the crowd.

Our special thanks to the following who have generously offered their time, efforts and resources to make what was planned to be a simple distribution become a successful Pens of Hope international event:

• Chellie Gorospe
• Ian Tamayo
• Izhel Alaisa
• Mhil Pamilacan
• Rogj Gerodias
• Rommar Abordo
• Victor Lewis
• Ida Lewis
• Azao Resort and Spa

Where is Zanzibar?

The island of Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous territory of Tanzania located just off the country’s coast, boasts an entirely unique heritage and cultural flavor. The island is paved with rich history seeped in Moorish, Indian, Middle Eastern and African tradition, with a touch of leftover European influence. It's alluring, exquisite beaches are among the finest in Africa.

More gift-giving photos on our Facebook page.

Gift-giving for School Year 2016 - 2017

Pens of Hope in Davao is planning to share some school supplies with our community partner in Baragay Panalum, Paquibato District this May, before the school year 2016-2017 starts. We invite everyone to support our cause!

School Kits

This year, we are reaching out to 103 students of different grade levels. These are the materials we intend to give the school supplies below. For costing and list of students, please check this spreadsheet.

Where to Buy the Materials: 

We ask our donors to directly buy the school supplies at D' B-JAG Marketing. Kuya Bryan, Ate April, Kuya Bobong, and the rest of their staff have graciously volunteered to pack the kits for the students. The shop has been our partner for the past three years.

D' B-JAG Marketing
Door 3 Tagalog Bldg.,
100 Sta. Ana Avenue cor Damaso Suzao St.
Davao City, Philippines.
Tel no: (63)(82) 224-5320 / (63)(82) 2228988
Contact person: April Barro and Bobong Vallente

Note: Please call the shop first before your visit.

If you'd like to donate but you're not available to go to the said shop, please coordinate with Kikit, one of our volunteers. You can contact her through our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pensofhopeindavao

Distribution

We are unable to personally hand out the school supplies this year. The kits will be given to the kids through Ms Jennifer Viray Jayme, a teacher at Panalum Elementary School, the nearest elementary school from the community. Ms Jayme has supported our cause for a couple of years and is more than willing to be our coordinator for this activity.

We look forward to your usual support. Thank you. :)

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”  John Bunyan

17th Big Day: Seven Years and Counting

Sometimes I find it unebelievable that Pens of Hope in Davao has been around for seven years, and that we had our 17th big day last June 6, 2015 at Purok 3, Brgy Panalum, Paquibato District.

The obligatory groupie

The volunteers gathered early in the morning at Matina Crossing, Davao City. After loading boxes of school kits and snacks, we headed to our community partner with a chartered jeepney. Unfortunately, the final bridge to the community was under repair, so we had to walk under the scorching heat of the sun a little bit further.

Our jeepney trying to pass through the bridge to no avail

The kids happily welcomed us when we arrived at the area. Most of them are already familiar with our faces as we go back to the community twice a year. Mabelle gave a welcome remarks and faclitated the introduction of volunteers. Then Myra, a nurse volunteer, briefly lectured about germs and proper hand washing.

How long should hand­washing time be? As long as the Happy Birthday song

After the lecture, we distributed the school kits. We have prepared 233 kits for Day Care to Grade 7 students. Just like our previous distibutions, not all students were able to come, especially those who live far from the assembly area. But the remaining kits are endorsed to Kuya Nando, our contact person who will deliver the goods to the rest of the kids.

Here are photos of students with their school kits per grade level. If you want to know what we exactly gave to the kids, please check this spreadsheet.

Daycare

Kindergarten

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

After the distribution of school kits, we gave the children and adults some bread and juice.

Special Shout-out

Mabelle talking to kids

We would like to thank our donors and volunteers for this big day.

• Lorna Fajardo, Shugar Pardillo, Liyah and Liyoh, Mr Grey, Daryl Caingles, Heidi Obenza, Leticia Tulagan, Vincent & Ana Pera, Nora Hagen, Lhen & Romy Reyes, Tropang R, Myra Cavero, Lydia Reyes, Jasmine Pasco, Ms Chin, Ms Jaye, and Mary Vince Pepito for the financial assistance 
• Rafael for buying the school kits for Daycare and Kindergarten pupils
• Gina for some school supplies
• D-BJAG Marketing, especially to Kuya Bobong, Ate April and Bryan for purchasing and packing the school kits
• Lorna Mae Mondero, Jessame Gan, Apol Piaon, Ophelia Casel, Maryvic Alvares, Bryan Hao, Mildred, Nicole Elizar, Jun Villegas and Celine for the snacks 
• Sarah and her father Kuya Sergio for preparing vols' breakfast and arranging transportation to and from the partner community
• Gladys Clarito, Joan Cleofe and Mabelle for sponsoring our transportation
• Dan, Sarah, Mabelle, Myra, Erwin, Angie, Kara, Apple, Kikit, Kuya Sergio, Kuya Driver, Nicole, Chikai, Jedric, Sophia and Isay for coming with us

More photos on our Facebook page

Hope you'll continue to support us in our future projects. 

Daghan kaayong salamat.

June Is Coming, It's Time for Another Gift-Giving

This June, we are going back to our community partner in Baragay Panalum, Paquibato District for another distribution of school supplies. Would you like to help us?

We intend to give the following:

• Pencils and pens
• Notebooks
• Paper
• Big drawing or coloring book
• Crayons          
• Eraser 
• Sharpener 
• Plastic folder 

If you want to know what specific school supplies we intend to give to each kid, please check this spreadsheet. 

Where to buy the materials: 

Due to time constraints, we are asking you to directly buy the school supplies at the shop below. They have agreed to pack the materials for us.

D' B-JAG Marketing
Door 3 Tagalog Bldg.,
100 Sta. Ana Avenue cor Damaso Suzao St.
Davao City, Philippines.
Tel no: 2245320
Contact person: April Barro

P.S. Please call the shop first before your visit to make sure they're open during your availability.

If you'd like to donate but you're not available to go to the said shop, please coordinate with Kikit, one of our volunteers. You can contact her through:

Email: pensofhopeindavao@gmail.com
Phone: +639234458960
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pensofhopeindavao

Volunteer!

If you'd like to join us during gift giving, let us know before May 23, 2015. You may be asked to should your transportation and food expenses. Tentative date for distribution is June 6, 2015. 

Thanks a lot! 

16th Big Day - Another Successful Gift-Giving

We, 15 adults and 4 kids, left Davao City downtown area to Brgy Panalum at 6:30 a.m. We were thrilled to see our community partner and share some blessings we received from different sponsors. Many of the volunteers were first-timers, which made the trip more exciting.

We arrived at the area at around 9:00 a.m. After the courtesy call with the barangay captain, we climbed the small hill to the community. The kids and their parents were already ready to meet us.

Since we wanted to allot more time for the haircutting session, we decided to have a straightforward gift-giving. We introduced ourselves to the children and then our volunteer kids - Nicole, Jedric, Chikai and Gerard - sang a Christmas song for them. We then distributed the following school supplies - writing materials, paper, crayon, eraser, sharpener and sticker.

We prepared 169 kits, but not all kids were able to join the activity because they live kilometers away from the community. We left the extra kits to Kuya Lando, one of our contact persons in the area. 

After the school supplies distribution, we told the kids that 6 people from our team will give them free haircuts. We went to a shady and open area for the operation gupit. We thought of bringing hairdressers this year because we figured out getting a haircut may be a luxury instead of a hygienic necessity for them. 

While waiting for their turn, some kids watch videos on Sarah's laptop. The volunteers did different things - a few assisted the hairdressers, a few played with the kids and the rest interviewed the local residents about their source of water. The residents have to walk far to fetch water and we wanted to know if there's any way we can help them. (Once we have all the accurate information, we will finalize the video and share it with you.)

Banana surfers!

A video posted by @dagways on Dec 12, 2014 at 5:10am PST

We left the area at around 1:00 p.m and arrived in the downtown area before 4:00 p.m. 

* * * 

We would like to thank everyone for your wholehearted support to our succesful outreach. Special shoutout to the following: 

• Integreon KPO firm, Davao Arts and Ate Nancy for the school supplies
• Jen and Miss KNT for the financial assistance
• Liyah for packing the goods with us, Miss KNT for the packing venue
• Ley, Shugar and Sara's father for the transportation
• Miss Ano and Ate Fortunata for the breakfast and lunch of the volunteers
• Volunteers: Sarah, Sharone, Jezyrel, Celine, Dan, Kikit, Mabelle, Lorna, Ate Mayette, Ate Grace, Awing, Bo, Jun, Kuya Sergio, Kuya Driver, Nicole, Jedric, Gerard and Chikai

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Operation Gupit on December 13 2013

Pens of Hope in Davao will be going back to Brgy Panalum, Paquibato District on December 13. Last year we conducted an art workshop, but this time we are bringing a couple of hairdressers to give free haircuts for the kids.

We will be bringing gifts from Davao Arts, Integreon KPO firm and other kind souls. Please come back for updates of our event this coming weekend.

Gift-Giving at Panlabuhan Floating Village, Agusan Marsh

Pens of Hope had a mini gift-giving activity at Panlabuhan floating village, an ancestral domain of Manobo indigenous people in the heart of Agusan Marsh on July 5, 2014. Agusan Marsh is popular for being the natural home of Philippine crocodiles. It’s where Lolong, the world’s largest croc in captivity used to live.

School Profile

The floating Sikat Panlabuhan Primary School

The distribution was conducted at Sikat Panlabuhan Primary School, one of the main buildings in the community. Like the other buildings—church, lodge and houses—the school is a floating structure that is tied to a bangkal tree. It has two classrooms: one is used for instruction, and the other as a book storage and teacher bunk house.

Library / Teacher's bunkhouse

The school has 38 students from daycare to Grade 3, following multi-grade teaching system (one teacher handling different grade levels in a classroom). Students go to school through wooden dugout canoes. They come from families whose main sources of living are fishing and weaving bags and baskets from dried water hyacinths in the marsh. Marites Babanto, the local tour guide, said that each family earns about 100 to 300 pesos per day, depending on the quantity of fish caught.

Kid paddling a wooden canoe

Upon finishing the 3rd grade, students study in Loreto municipality, the nearest town in mainland Mindanao. Loreto is about one-hour away from the village by outrigger-less boat. Students stay in the bunkhouse and visit home only during weekends. For additional information about the community, please read this blog post.

Gift-giving Activity

The gift-giving was integrated with the trip of travel bloggers from the cities of Davao, General Santos and Koronadal. Most of them have been active volunteers/supporters of the POHD program.

Grateful kids

Unfortunately not all students were present during the distribution as it was held on a Saturday and it was a bit inconvenient for them to go to the venue. Further, a few students went home because the distribution was delayed due to other tourism-related activities. However, we left the writing materials to the teacher and we requested her to give them to the rest of the students the following weekday.

Teacher Ann (the woman in orange shirt) leading an action song

The distribution was pretty straightforward. We simply gathered the kids in the classroom along with their parents. We explained what Pens of Hope program is and where the donations came from. Then Teacher Anna Lou Teves led a simple action song to make the kids more comfortable.

Leah sharing pencils and pens with the kids

Leah, one of the volunteers/travel bloggers, handed the writing materials to the kids. Since we can’t give each child a coloring set due to limited supplies, we left the crayons, colored pens, colored pencils, and paper pads in the teacher’s care. She said the students will use them during art activities.

Special Shout-out

We would like to thank the following for this successful gift-giving:

• Integreon KPO firm
• Anonymous angel from the UK
• Ping from the UAE
• Mindanao Tourism Council, Tourism Office of Agusan del Sur and Loreto Municipality for organizing the trip

Thank you, thank you. Your kindness will always be remembered.

More pics here.