Vacationing With Purpose (The Conclusion)
- to Tondo, Philippines
I love life and the serendipity of it all reassures what I believe in: life aligns us with opportunities that have already been manifested by our dreams. Therefore, it’s our responsibility to step out in faith, owning it.
How did the interview on PTV-4’s Bagong Philippines come about?
One night while we were back in Manila, Philippines Nick and I went out with Ben to meet up with some of his friends. The first friend we met up with was Jules Guiang, a local news personality. We spoke about our Philippines experiences thus far and how we were fulljoying it. More conversations led to the main reason why I was in his country and my life’s story behind my Pennies4Girls Project. Before you knew it, he invited me to be on his show. I was honored! This was huge deal. The whole experience regurgitated what I already knew about the power of storytelling and being brave in sharing it, especially with those who will listen.
Thanks so much again Jules for allowing me to share my passion & life’s story with your platform!
Arriving at Young Focus, I finally got to put a face to the name Paul Wijgerden. He and I have been communicating for the past couple months via email. An introduction was made between my friends, Paul, Ann (Paul’s wife) and their son. We all got settled in and began diving into conversation. Paul shared the in depth work of Young Focus, sharing a moment he and Ann felt like they had failed. That story stuck with me because it’s a constant reminder that failing doesn’t mean anything wasn’t accomplished. Often times failing sets you on the path you are meant to be on. As we continued speaking, I shared the story and reason for choosing Young Focus. I also shared how I was using 165,000 pennies ($1,650 US) from my Pennies4Girls Project to help send girls to school through their organization.
Meeting Paul & Ann for the first time at the head office of Young Focus. From left (Ben, Paul, Ann, Sahar & myself)
Before we were taken out into the field, we were briefed on the different locations we were going. We would get the chance to see children ranging from different ages with different situations. Let me say, the poverty that I knew growing up in Jamaica didn’t prepare me for what I was about to perceive.
True Reality Hits
As I walked the streets of Tondo, Manila, Philippines, it was clear, I had entered a different world. It was congested, over populated, surrounded by unspeakable amount of garbage, more garbage, and more garbage, did I mention more garbage? There were also makeshifts houses that obviously wouldn’t withstand a rainy day or even a tropical storm. I kept asking myself: how can anyone live in this? To add to this, the surrounding lake was polluted and the stench was unbearable. It was hard to fathom the living condition I was witnessing.
Despite that, the people were welcoming. They greeted us with the biggest smiles and they were in high spirits. At one point, someone shouted “Black Mamba” and I remember chuckling because being a midget that was quite the compliment. There were children flocked throughout the street as we walked and their happy faces relived my crying soul. This prompted me in reliving an encounter I wished I had captured on my camera but not all moments are meant to be captured right?
We had stopped and was speaking to kids we saw along our way. Well Ben was because he speaks the local language Filipino. When we walked off and was a little way up the street, a little girl ran up and hugged my friend’s Sahar’s leg. That hug was filled with nothing but pure innocent love and it was such a a gesture of light in the darkness of living condition we were surrounded by.
Further into our walk, through an alley lined with the entrances to “self built houses,” we came across a group a kids playing on the outside. I was intrigued by the toy they were playing with. With a closer look I realized it was a toy I known as “gig".” Gig was made with wood, nail and a string. Growing up in Jamaica, my brothers would make this toy and teach me how to play it. Just watching the children play with it drew me in and I couldn’t resist. Even if it was just a a small moment, I wanted to play and I did. To add to this, out of the blue I got a random hug from a child that was close by. These experiences are forever embedded in my heart.
Playing with the kids while walking the streets of Tondo, Philippines
A hug of a lifetime
In contrast to that moment was another. We were walking past an open old brick building and the giggles and joys of children filled the air. As we turned to where the noise was coming from we saw children running back and forth from one end of the building to the next. Their face was filled with so much excitement and their laughter was contagious.
Another lesson, life is what you make of it and often times the ones that have the least shows us true riches in living and loving life as is.
The laughter of children in Tondo, Philippines fill the air
To each program facility we were brought to, we had program directors and/or teachers tell us about their curriculums and the impact their work is having on children in their class. I greatly appreciated this because I got to hear from those who are working with these kids to provide them with what they need.
One group of children that stood out to me is a program for teenagers that are labelled as jumpers and sniffers. I’ve never heard of such labels and when they were explained, my heart sunk. Jumpers are mostly teenagers that go out in the nighttime in search of scraps they can sell. Selling scraps is one way to provide for themself. This is extremely dangerous because they can seriously get hurt jumping from trucks to trucks. Then you have the sniffers that inhale things such as glue for a quick fix. They become addicts and quitting isn’t easy. They gradually graduate to harder chemicals they can get their hands on. These teenagers stories and situations had my heart in shambles. It’s a sin to know what they have to resort to and to see them trapped in a life that offers very limited opportunities to live a flourishing life. Young Focus is doing amazing on the ground work to help these youths. I commend them!
These teens at risk are provided with basic needs (food, water, clothing, bathroom, place to sleep etc.)
One of our last tours was a visiting a preschool and it was a breath of fresh air. We walked into a graduation photo shoot session and all I saw on those tiny sweet faces was HOPE. Each child that came up to take their photo had a spark in their eye and with the right kind of help and support can become their greatest self.
Before we said our goodbyes, we extended our gratitude for such a rich and insightful experience. In the midst of transparency Ann, shared more of her experiences with us and the experiences of how Young Focus had become what they are today. She also prepared us for what we didn’t know was coming to hit us like a ton a bricks, the minute we got into our ride.
Ann told us: “what you saw today might hit you later, tomorrow, next week or some other time without any warning.” She advised us to be patient and kind to our self through the process. I honestly felt I did well being an emotional person. I held it together walking the streets of Tondo without bawling my eyes out and breaking down.
Ann sharing vital information with us
Oh No!
Our ride arrived and we said our last goodbyes. We were so grateful for the opportunity to see the naked truth of the conditions of what children and people are living in impoverished parts of the Philippines. The minute our ride started, the car was filled with silence. It was so quiet that if a pin dropped we would hear it. I broke the silence expressing that what I saw today was heavy. It was a lot to take in. I have so much compared to these people. This is so wrong! Looking at Ben and Sahar (being in the back seat with him) I knew they were thinking the same thing and if not probably thinking more. We all started to speak a little and that’s when I saw the hurt all over Ben’s face. He tried so hard to soak up the tears leaking from his eyes as he spoke. The moment he said: “those are my people with tears streaming down his face, he broke me. I couldn’t hold back the tears and I felt the pain in every single word he shared. We all tried to comfort him with kind words but we also knew it was healthy for him to express the pain of his heart.
It took us a few days to somewhat recover from that experience but truth be told, the polluted water, irrefutable stench, congested atmosphere and the people is forever engraved in our minds. The more I think about it, I don’t think not being able to forget it will be such a bad thing. I will be something that drives us more in helping others to live a healthy and flourishing life.
I’m truly happy how everything worked out. Visiting Malaysia and the Philippines was quite the experience. It has opened up my mind and heart so much and for me that’s something priceless.
A huge thanks to these two for keeping the light of hope burning for the youths of Tondo, Philippines
True reality is beyond the comfort of our couch and beyond the steps of our home. Hence, it’s our responsibility in doing what we can in solving the injustices and sufferings that plaque the world.
YES! Go see the world but please make the time to also see parts of the world that provokes your soul in making a difference. It enriches the soul!!!
Come and join me on a trip!
Until then, sending you
Love, Light, Joy, Peace and Good Health
A Special Thanks
165,000 pennies (with more to count) wouldn’t be possible without those one who took the initiative in donating their pennies to help send girls to school in the Philippines (via Young Focus). Hence, I would like to extend my gratitude to the ones below:
LREI
Danielle A. & Friends
WOMMMAD
Laura C.
Tanasha B.
Maddie
Keisha T.
The Thompsons
Society Girls
Kellie R.
Tasha
Jheanell M.
Sheraine O.
Lateisha E.
Rosie K.
The Coveys
Lavinia D.
The Matthews
Rayon C.
Omari T.
Marlon B.
Shanna R.
Nerisa H.
The Elliotts
Keniesha S.
Akosua A.
Cassandra N.
Tricia G.
Cileen W.
Stass T.
Tiffany M.
Marcel S.
Haniff L.
Zenvi B.
My heart is forever indebted to you, your effort, support and generosity.