Pens Of Hope in Davao - 18th Big Day

July 19, 2020 Charity 0 Comments

Every December and June each year, Pens of Hope in Davao is always active in conducting an outreach program to the outskirts of Davao City that is seldom reached by both our national and local government. Its aim is to address the scarcity of writing materials in the far flung barangays of the Philippines. Pens of Hope in Davao has been passionately doing the program for 12 years now after the Idea was originally conceptualized by Nortehanon, A blogger from Northern Samar.

As one of the volunteers of the group, together with the founder couple Kikit and Dan Guillano, I am excited to share with you the journey we had a few years back.

One cloudy morning last december 16, 2016, we gathered at Lala’s Barbeque House located at Obrero St. Davao City. While waiting for our truck to arrive, we started bringing out all the gifts we prepared for the kids of Barangay Panalum, Paquibato District, Davao City. 5:30am we started our drive to Barangay Panalum. As we traveled along the highway going to Panabo, rain started to pour. Good thing we prepared a tarp big enough to cover the boxes of hygiene kits at the back of the truck. It was a long and winding trip into the narrow roads of Paquibato leading us to our target destination.

We arrived at Barangay Panalum, kinda wet but nevertheless joyful and excited. Our truck was parked on the roadside to unload our gifts. From there we brought the gifts and took a short walk on a muddy road leading to the small community a few kilometers away. At times, we needed to take off our shoes and walk past the muddy part of the road barefoot to avoid accidents, making sure our gifts are secured and safe.

Reaching the community was a challenge but seeing the kids smiling while running towards us was enough to erase the exhaustion. They gladly helped us with our boxes and gave us water. We settled our things and then asked them to gather to prepare for lunch. After a thankful prayer from their tribal leader, we shared to them the food we brought along.

Hygiene kits distribution started after we filled our stomach with food. The program started with a ritual dance offering from their tribe. After the prayer, a group of young kids gave us an ice breaker by showcasing their talent in singing using their dialect. Our volunteers also sang spiritual offering for the kids to prosper and become successful in life.

We started giving them their Christmas gifts shortly after the ice breaker. Instead of school kits which were originally planned, the group decided to give hygiene kits as a gift since their teachers noted that they are getting sick due to poor hygiene. 

It's nice to see that they appreciated the little wrapped packs we have prepared for them. Seeing them rejoicing with the little present they received is something you can surely cherish and be grateful. Their genuine "thank you’s” are like music to the soul which gave me a wider perspective on becoming a better person.

Being able to share an ample amount of blessing we received in life to these little communities has a great impact on their innocent life. That is why we as a group are thankful to all the people, whom, without hesitation, readily gave donations to make this program a success.

In the end, an overflowing amount of happiness was seen on each of them. I am so grateful to become part of the awesome group Pens of Hope in Davao who tirelessly dedicated their time to continue serving the less fortunate children in the far flung communities of Davao. Being a volunteer, everything makes perfect sense when you see someone happy because of the efforts you did and/or just because you are with them.

Support Pens of Hope in Davao! Visit their Facebook page for more details.

https://www.facebook.com/pensofhopeindavao/