As every one of you knows that we’ve been having a Christmas drive every year here for 11 years now. About 2 years ago we also sponsored 4 kids for their food for lunch everyday until that school year end. During that summer we also gave those 4 kids part time jobs here at the house for them to earned some money for their school needs for the next school opening that year. It was really a great feeling giving something for those kids and seeing them appreciate what we did for them. Those kids were not related to me in anyway, they were just recommended by Bob’s Bisaya teacher, Bebe.
What we did for those kids caught the eye of Bob’s friend. His name is Brian. He lives in New Zealand. A few months ago he contacted Bob and told him that he would really like to sponsor kids here in the Philippines from a less fortunate family. So after hearing what Brian wanted, we then set a meeting with friends that we knew that had contacts with kids. First we contacted Bebe since she’s a teacher and knows some kids that needed some financial help. She told us that she would help us out on that. She also suggested to contact the wife of a friend (common friend actually) his name is Randy. He got married to a Filipina from here in Davao just recently, her name is Amelyn. Amelyn is a grade school principal here in a public school. So definitely she knows some kids that struggle financially. So after a few emails and texting between Bob and Randy, Amelyn gave Randy a name for us to contact. The girl that she recommended just graduated from the school where Amelyn is the principal. She gave us the cell phone number of the parents of the kid. I immediately got a hold of the parents through texting. Within like an hour the mom of the kid text me back. She apologized to not texting me right away because she had to go to the nearest store that sells load in there area. I was already thinking the same of what she told me anyway. I totally understand that. Not easy for them to get the load too.
Bob with Junalyn and her family
So after exchanging several texts, we decided to meet up at their place in a couple of days. Reason for that her husband and the her daughter that will be sponsored will be off on that day that we agreed to meet. Bob and I wanted to meet both parents and the kid so that we would know who they are and so that we could decide if they really are the people that will be good to sponsor to. So on the day of the meeting, Bob and I went to their house. It was a little further from the city. We rode the jeepney from the street near our house. When we got to their house, we immediately saw the flower garden of the mother of the kid. That’s her business selling flower seedling. The dad was already waiting for us outside. We exchange greetings and then they ushered us to come in at their house. They had a one level house. They lived in a compound, with 3 other families in a separate houses. They really are so hospitable and very nice to us.
Bob with Junalyn
When inside we talked and told them what Brian wants to do. We kinda interview all of them about their lives and about the interest of the kid. Just by talking to the kid, she’s really smart and a little shy too. We found out that she’s an honor student. She’s been in the first section all her school life. See here in the Philippines they have now special sections for the smart kid. That kid belongs there. We saw her grades and it’s all 95 average or over. Really impressive. Just by looking and listening to her she really is interested to study all the way. I’m just hoping really that she will be in the circle of good friends (we call barkada’s here). Hopefully she will not waste her effort, her parents, mine, Bob and of course Brian. It will really shock me if she falls for the wrong crowd.
She is schedule now to come to our house once a week to get her allowance and to bond with us. She kind of likes it too that we are inviting her to use our computer if she had some research to do on the net. She can surf at our PC in the house for free. The parents were ecstatic.
She just came here yesterday to get her allowance. We spent time talking to her and her mom. They were excited for me to go back to their house because the mom promised me a bunch of flowers when I go there again. I told them that I am just waiting for my sister to come for a visit here in Davao from Gensan, since my sis knows more about flowers.
Anyway, another family that we made friends with this holiday season. A BIG THANK YOU to Brian to make it possible for this kid to have a better future. For Bebe for recommending Amelyn to us.
Looking forward for the LIP DRIVE now!!!
Cheers!