If you read my article on Monday, you know that the 2010 LiP Christmas Giveaway happened last Friday, December 24, 2010. I told you in that article, though, that there was an unexpected twist this year, something totally new for the LiP Christmas Giveaway. To me, what happened last week will change the LiP Giveaway forever, and it will be changed in a good way.
It all started last Tuesday. Feyma and I like to move the Christmas Giveaway to a different area each year, and on Tuesday I asked Feyma where we should go this year to give away the Christmas treats. We were honestly having a hard time deciding where we would go. We have been doing this for long enough that we have covered most of the very poor areas near Davao. We were unable to think of a good place where we should go.
On Wednesday, it was my regular day for my Cebuano Lesson, and my teacher, Bebe Metillo came to my house to give me my lesson. During our discussion, Bebe was telling me of some Christmas Carolers who had visited her house a few days earlier. Bebe told me that there were 4 young carolers, and they were classmates of her daughter, Lorie Ann. Bebe told me that she had invited the kids in to her house, and she gave them some cookies. These kids are 14 to 15 years old, and I was quite shocked when Bebe told me that it was the first time that any of these kids had eaten a cookie before, and they enjoyed it a lot. We talked more, and Bebe told me about how Lorie Ann had been trying to help these kids, because they are so poor. It was revealed to me that these kids are very poor. In the morning, there is no breakfast. At school, the only lunch they have most of the time is hot water. If there is a school activity that requires a bit of money, even P20 or so, Lorie Ann asks around to other kids to see if they can collect enough to cover these 4 kids, because they have nothing. In recent weeks, Lorie Ann has been taking a few pieces of bread to school to share with these kids, so that they would have something to eat.
All 4 of these students are honor students and are placed in the honors class. They are among the brightest kids in Davao.
As I talked with Bebe, my discussion with Feyma from the day before came to mind. We had been searching our minds to find out where we would give out goodies for Christmas this year. It felt in my heart that we were meant to help these students and their families. I asked Bebe if Lorie Ann could come and take us to the houses of each of these kids, and she agreed to do so. We decided to prepare an extra special giveaway for these 4 families, much more than we gave to the others that we gave to. We prepared about double the amount of food, and also two fresh chickens for each of these families.
Our first stop on this “extra giveaway” was the house of Riza. The house was in the City, but there were no roads there to drive on. We had to walk in, crossing over many obstacles! But, once we finally reached the house, we found it very obvious that there was great need. Even though they were living within the city, the house was very simple, made out of bamboo and other natural materials. I met Riza and she had two sisters. I met her mother and father too. We gave them several bags of food and chickens for their Christmas dinner (Noche Buena). They were very, very grateful. The family expected us, because Lorie Ann had texted them the day before. They had an idea of what was happening. In addition to the Christmas food, we had another surprise for them too, something even better than the food. I will tell you about this at the end of this article.
Next, we drove to another nearby area, parked the car, and took off walking. This house was also inaccessible by car, and this one was a long walk in! As we approached the house, we saw a bunch of ducks there, apparently these people are keeping them as pets, and maybe getting eggs from them, I suppose. The student at this house was Beverly. She was not expecting us at all, because although Lorie Ann had sent a message to them, they did not get it. So, they were greatly surprised to see this foreigner and a bunch of Filipinos coming to bring them some Christmas Presents! This girl was very shy, and it was hard to get her to speak at all at first. But, after a while she opened up and talked with us. Again, we gave her and her family some food for their Christmas Dinner, and also a special surprise, to be revealed at the end of this article. I spent some time talking with the girl, her mother and grandmother. Very nice people, and very thankful for the help we were able to give them. These are the kind of people that will really warm your heart.
For me, the highlight of this special giveaway came at house #3. This was the house of Debbie. Debbie’s father is Dave and her mother is Rose. Debbie also has a younger brother named Dave Jr. Below is a video of the time we spent with Debbie and her family. As I talked with Dave, he told me that he is a Security Guard, but has been unable to find work for over a year now. As he told me about his life, he had tears running down his face, and I was very near to that myself. Debbie is an honor student, and has trophies and certificates indicating so in the living room where they live. The family does not have a house. Their house was demolished, I am not sure how or why. But, somebody owned a laboratory here in Davao and they let Dave and his family live there, as they have nothing. I really enjoyed my time in talking with Dave, Rose and the kids. Their appreciation was so apparent that it literally brought tears to my eyes.
Let me say this as an aside – a lot of the pictures and videos show me with the families that we give to. It should be known that Feyma, our kids and nieces and nephews are also an integral part of this giveaway. I am not usually the one with the camera, and those who have the camera tend to focus on taking photos of me, but others are as deeply involved in this as I am.
After finishing up with Debbie and her family, we headed to the house of Apple, which was fairly close. I was quite shocked when Lorie Ann took us to Apple’s house, because it was located in a fairly nice subdivision! I asked Lorie Ann if she was really certain that Apple was in need, and Lorie Ann told me that this was not their house, but a house owned by a Pastor, and he allowed Apple and her family to live there, as they are deeply in need. Apple’s father makes and sells Kwek-Kwek (a snack food which consists of a hard boiled duck egg which is coated in batter and fried). The money he earns is a very meager amount. We met Apple and her sister, and talked with them for a while. We noticed that there were no lights inside the house, and it was very dark. We do not know, perhaps they have no electricity, or maybe they were just conserving. We gave Apple the food for the family Christmas Dinner, and talked with her more. We enjoyed it very much. Later on the evening of Christmas Eve, as we were having family time at our house, I got a Text from Apple thanking me for what we had done for her and her family. She told me that when her Mom got home, she was so shocked to learn that they had something for Christmas. I could not read the text without crying, it was very touching.
Now, as I told you earlier in this article, in addition to the food we gave these people for their Christmas Dinner, we had an extra surprise for them. I told each of the four girls that we are sponsoring them for the rest of the school year. We will be buying school lunches for these four girls for the remainder of the school year. I also gave each of the girls my cell phone number and told them to text me if there were other school related needs that came up for the rest of the year. Additionally, I told each of the girls, that while I cannot promise, I would try to help them get a summer job when school is finished, so that they can earn some money to apply toward next year, when each of them will be in their final year of high school.
As I said, it seemed that helping these kids was just something that was meant to be. It brought a lot of joy and reflection to both Feyma and I. We hope that in the future we can find kids like this who are very intelligent, get good grades in school, but need a little extra help to make their learning a bit more comfortable. If we can find a few every year, we will be helping them too, and gladly so. If the LiP drive continues to grow in coming years, maybe we can take on more students each year. Whatever happens, we hope that these 4 girls can finish up school feeling a bit better, and having a full stomach after lunch time. If they were already good students, having a meal during the school day should only help them improve!
Thank you to LiP readers who supported the Christmas Giveaway this year. Your help will give these kids more than just a lunch of hot water, and maybe a piece of bread from time to time.
Bob, its nice to see the many positives come from your willingness to help the less fortunate. The 4 young girls you helped are like so many other students. They are very poor but are determined to do their best in school and usually are honor students. I know of many children that go to school hungry, but they know without an education, their hunger may last a lifetime. These girls may one day become successful and hopefully they will “pay it forward” and help the next in line. I commend you for giving these girls the hope they need. I think your gift is a gift that they will remember forever. Well done !!!!
Thank you Lloyd. It’s funny you mention the phrase, “Pay it forward” as Feyma and I have been talking about that in the previous few days. Thank you for your comment, Lloyd, and Happy New Year to you.
You can count me in. I will help you with the students. When you need some help simply email me. You have my email address. Bob, there is one thing that I have not been able to understand and I see it over and over again in the Philippines and perhaps you can help me understand it. I have helped Filipinos for the seven years plus I have been in the Philippine. People who have NOTHING but the clothe on their backs have a CELL PHONE. I now have been working in various types of social programs for over 46 years and in the States I would see people who did not know where there next meal would come from standing with a cigaret or BEER in their hand. Am I wrong to think mabye they have some misguided priorities? When offering help do we not have a responsiblity to maybe discuss priorities with them. This year at the Christmas party for kids living in the squatter areas around Bacaca Road we did something different. We seperate the kids and had their party with games, mascot, prizes, etc while the parents attended a 45 minute class on responsible parenting. The meeting went well, but only time will show if the class helped them. I pray that other in 2011 will be touched as you and your family and will begin to reach out. These projects that you do with your family make for the best way to spend family time. I hear so many expat’s talking about how bored they are well acts of kindness for others are a great way to go to work and end the boredom.
Tom, thank you very much for your wonderful comment, I appreciate it. You are right about the cellphone thing, for sure. In the case of these girls, they do not have their own cellphones, but rather a shared phone with the rest of the family. I suppose everybody needs some form of ability to communicate. It puzzles me too, though.
As you mentioned to me when we met last week, Tom, when doing stuff like this, I almost feel selfish, because I think I get more joy out of it than the recipient does! It sure is a good feeling.
Tom,
Its the same the world over,where by the poorer people in society are often misguided in their lifes priorities.
It is something i often observed visiting peoples houses in the West.
Example:
Some families would have household furniture literally falling apart,yet they would have the latest wide screen TV and VCR player,also state of the art Hi Fi.
Others instead would have nice furniture,a bookshelf full of books,but old TV,no VCR player and old Hi Fi system.
I always put it down to lack of education and brainwashing product advertising.
regards,Chas.
I think it has to be said, though, that these days, you can buy a cellular phone for $25 or so. Having one $25 cellular phone for the entire family is not too extravagant, especially if if your own means of communications. Yes, there are many things as important or more important… but, I don’t think any of the people that I met had big screen TV sets, hi fi systems of any kind, etc. They had a cellphone… an old one, a simple model. Not really too bad, imho.
BTW – Chas, I understand that you were not saying that these people had hi-fi systems and such… you were talking about people in the west. I just wanted to interject this in case anybody got the wrong idea.
No problem Bob,i was just injecting my experiences in the West,from a few years back,and reflecting my observations of peoples different priorities in life.
Thanks, chas.
Great work, Bob (and the rest of the Martin clan). In my personal view, this will pay more long-term benefits that just food give-away’s. But time will tell.
Regarding priorities for Tom and others. First of all a cell phone may be the only way that people trying to eke out a living with day work, say ironing, yard work, etc., can be summoned/communicated with. Used cell phones are very cheap, and unlike the nonsensical US robbery plans, these folks don’t pay any monthly cell phone bills. But I will certainly agree some people’s priorities are a bit off.
Also, regarding national priorities like education. A pack of cigarettes here in my neighborhood costs about $0.50 cents US .. most smokers buy by the ‘stick’, or individual cigarette.
A bottle of local gin or rum costs about $1.60 US.
A birth certificate, which is needed for any child to enter public a school costs , minimum $12 USD … more than many poor people make in a week of work (when they have work).
That, sir, is a priority mismatch … and all three of those prices are under the control of the government.
Food for thought.
Hi Dave – Thank you, my friend. It is also through your generosity that this was possible, and I appreciate that greatly. I do feel like this “added part” of the giveaway will prove to have long term effects, and I look forward to watching how it plays out. I already heard from one of the people that she wants to get a good job and when she does she will do what we did, and help the poor who are in need. Nothing would make me happier.
Your comments on priorities on things like a bottle of booze compared to a government document like a birth certificate are so on the mark! I had never thought much about it, but you are right on the target on this. If the government put a “sin tax” on some of those items they could not only give the birth certificate for free, but they could improve the quality of the education and even offer free school lunches to those who are in need.
I do not have a cell phone myself and maybe I am one of the few that dosn’t. I have my traditional landline phone and thats fine for me. With the cost of Dial Tone and then the many taxes I pay on my landline phone it cost me about $30 a month and no calls included in that.
I don’t need another monthly bill for a Cell Phone. Any kind of cell phone I have looked into here in the USA the only ones I found with any kind of pay as you go deal, you have to buy a certain amount of minutes and if you don’t use them in the specified time you looes ’em.
On my first visit to The Philippines it seemed like Cell Phone Mania to me. I could not understand how people who seem to have little or no money all have these cell phones.
What I eventually found out is that the base price of the phone itself can be very cost effective compared to the USA and that The Philippines has a true pay as you go system for buying minutes ( Load ) and you can buy them just about any place you could think of. You could buy minutes for acell phone for as little as the equivalent of 50 cents , $1.25 and many other amounts. No monthly charge, no Roaming Fees ( from what I could figure ). Obviously if cell phone carriers had a system like we have here in the USA, not many cell phones would sell in The Philippines. Cell Phones there are a lot less than a landline. This is why I think just about everybody in The Philippines, regardless of financial standing seems to have a cell phone. To me, that makes a lot of sense, putting telephone service within reach of just about everybody.
This is probably the best gift they received in their entire lives. It’s really touching to see things like these.
Bob, could we take over sponsorship of one of the girls? Maybe they’d like a nice Canadian penpal, one that would send goodies? Send me a message, let us know, we want to help!
Bob, Well done! When I go to the province and I see bright, energetic kids living in sqaulor with little food and little hope for the future it breaks my heart. I’m happy you and Feyma can help the way you do and I can share vicariously through your efforts. When I think of how far even a little money can go in the provinces it makes me determined to do something similar for those kids there. Happy New Year to you and yours!
Thank you very much, Mark. You are so right that just a small amount of money can go a long ways on something like this.
Thank you Kenneth. Not trying to brag, just commenting… I do believe that this is the best gift these girls have probably ever received. It makes me feel good to do so too.
Hi Bob,
Congrats on another successful Xmas give away with a great twist.
It is more satisfying when you can find students like these,who are also trying to help themselves,and not lazing around expecting handouts for life.
For me,education is one of the greatest gifts to give a child,especially with such a competative job market in PH.
From what i have seen over the years,unless they gain a degree,and preferably a Masters,they have very little opportunity in the PH career wise.
Unfortunately even in the 21st century,half the worlds population still live in poverty.
I know of families in Bukidnon that still have no running water,only a well,and no electricity,they survive on 1 meal a day.
Sheryls parents unofficialy adopted a bright daughter from such a family,and pay for her needs and education,even though they are only filipino working class themselves.
regards,Chas.
Hi Chas – Thank you sir! I appreciate your comment. Yes, I like to help those who are trying to help themselves. You know, during the food giveaway earlier in the day, a fellow saw us giving out food to the poor. He was riding his motorcycle on the road. He stopped and asked for his give away. I told him that he didn’t need the food, because he already had a motorcycle, so he could obviously afford to buy food for his family. He didn’t like it. While he is not sitting on his butt….. the audacity of asking for free food while sitting on his motorcycle made me feel really bad.
Bob,
I can understand that incident putting a dampner on things,unfortunately there is an opportunist around every corner.
That’s true, chas… unfortunately.
Hi Bob
Well done mate …your a star, just on the topic of cell phones , having learnt how much importence is placed on family care and love in the Phil culture i would think that cell phones are importent commodities for them to stay in touch with often wide spread family members. And as you suggested you can get them for aroun $25, but i think in a lot of cases if a family member is working in a another city its often them who will buy the phone for their loved ones.
Hi David – Thank you very much for your comment. Your kind words are greatly appreciated. I agree with you on the source of the cell phones.
Hi Elizabeth. Thank you so much for your generous offer to help! If you really do want to help with the sponsorship, you can go to the link below, and there is a “donate” button that you can use to make a donation through Paypal. Thank you again. Here is the link:
http://liveinthephilippines.com/2010/11/its-that-time-of-year-again-2/
Absolutely sensational article…God, hard to read it through the tears. Many of my friends here in America truly do not understand the poverty that I see at times on my trips to to the Philippines. They really have no idea.
Bob, for you and Feyma, and the rest of your family, to do what you do is simply fantastic. You are a person truly making a difference and not just talking about it. I have so much respect for that.
You can count me in for a donation next year and you have truly inspired me to do more when I am there.
And what you are doing for those girls is terrific. Imagine, only having hot water for lunch…or a piece of bread…geez, you really have helped them with your offer.
I wish I could hug you right now!! LOL.
Thank you Todd. The good thing about doing stuff like this is that when you give, you get so much in return in terms of feeling so good! It’s a win-win.
happy new year to u bob and ur famliy
itis so good to see what u are doing there mate with the poor every year and to that i say god bless u fo ur help there in the phil mate and if there was more ou there with a soft heart like u mate the filipina ppl would be a way better off and it is to day as i always say the poor get poorer every year and the rich get richer mate and in my tme i have spent there in the phill my self i have seen some off the very poor andu know what mate if u go to the home if thay have one u will always get a drink or a little to eat and it may well be very little thay have but will always give u some thing may it be just a drink and that as made me cry as i know it may be all thay have so god bless the poor mate and to u all so for ur help…..peter martin tassie
Thank you, peter. Part of my philosophy is not just to help people by giving a hand out, but to encourage them and teach them to think outside the box and how to become successful by using unconventional methods, as I have done myself. Nobody will ever become a success by just accepting handouts, but using the handout to take steps to improve your life more is the key.
Bob, Now I know how to help. Please advise as to how we should send you some funds. Ron, Marlou, Luigi, and the Iz.
Thank you, Ron. You can still donate to help with this, if you like. Just go to this article:
http://liveinthephilippines.com/2010/11/its-that-time-of-year-again-2/
Click on the “Donate” button and you can make your donation that way. Any amount would help, Ron, and be greatly appreciated by me and by these students. Thank you for your concern.
Bob;
Good move you got my vote on helping students. Who in turn my help the Philippines some day.
Thank you, Bruce… both for your comment, and for your help on this project!
Well bob another great thing you have done ,these students may well be the leaders of there community one day or perhaps even greater things ,they have a saying that they call men sir ie sir bob ect i beleive that they should call you saint bob the things that you do with your helpers is amazing and i for one would not have been able to keep a dry eye visiting these young girls and there families ,i dont know what else to say except good on ya mate your a champion and so are your helpers as new year aproaches i hope that all yours and your families dreams and hopes come to fruition in the coming year you have certainly earnt it sir bob
chris
Hi chris – Not really another great thing that I’ve done, rather a great team effort by the LiP family who contributed to putting this together. I certainly would not qualify to be called a “saint” – I know that for sure! Ha ha… I do thank you very much for your nice comment, though, chris.
You and your helpers are most welcome ,next year i wil dig a bit deeper for this cause in this day and age you can see the worst of people you and your helpers show all of us the best it is very refreshing
chris
Thank you, chris.
Nice one Bob.
I was just slightly disapointed when I read and saw Part One of this years LIP Christmas Give A Way and at first I thought something may have gone wrong with the video cam.
That minor disapointment faded fast as Part Two evolved in what I would consider as the best adventure of Minda Clause yet ! This has really impressed me.
As a sponsor of scholarships at MSU-IIT I know just how much farther an educational donation can go there in The Philippines than it can here in the USA. The lower cost of education ( compared to USA Standards ) does not mean any lesser quality or end result of the education the student is equipped with upon graduation. In fact, it is my opinion that in many cases faculty and students must work a lot harder there than an equivalent teacher or student would here in the USA.
This years ” LIP ” Christmas Give A Way may very well provide the key to a much brighter future for the recipients, and others, than anyone could imagine.
I hope in following years there will be many more ” Part Two’s ” to the Adventures of Minda-Clause ! Thanks for the Ride !
Hi Bob – Thank you. Actually, when we went out for the morning giveaway, the part that I posted on Monday, there was a glitch with the video camera. We forgot to bring it! Ha ha… we shot that video using our digital camera, since we didn’t have the camcorder! That’s why it was short. But, truth is, even that early session was really a good giveaway event this year. All in all, the giveaway, both parts, was really, really first class this year, the best yet!
I think, Bob, that the “Part 2” event will be a regular part of the giveaway in years to come. In fact, part 2 is continuing tonight, as we are having the 4 girls over to our house to have dinner. They are coming early in the afternoon and will be cooking the food with Feyma. I am looking forward to getting to know them better, and start building a closer bond with them.
Hey Bob -So that’s the twist! Hmm… For Bob with love and squalor. A very loving gesture to do so with these young girls. For poor students, It’s hard to study when squalid condition exists. When stomach growls, when there is no roof above one’s head. 5 years from now you (and family.. and of course those who donated) will look back on these.. when the girls would have graduated, have jobs and are successful, there will be that proud feeling. A good feeling. And what does one say but…..thank you.
Hi sugar – Yep… that’s the twist! I think it was a good one too. As you mentioned, I am really looking forward to the day when these girls have completed their education and have gone out on their own. One of my goals is to personally teach them to think outside the box, and to get into business in a way that is non-traditional for the Philippines. I would love nothing more than to see these kids succeed in a big way.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Kuya Bob, along with your family. Mag-ampo ko sa Ginoo nga hatagan ka’g kabaskug sa panglawas ug taas pa nga kinabuhi tungod sa imong kabuutan. More blessings to come…
Salamat kaayo sa imong paggreeting, Philmor! Malipayon ko kay dugay ang imong nagbisita sa website! Malipayong bag-ong tuig!
You’re a good man, Bob. Thanks for representing!
Thank you very much, Jeff.
Bob,
MindanaoBob got me in tears today. You’re one special dude! THANK YOU SO MUCH is all that I can say! Happy New Years to you and your love ones! Mabuhay and God bless! :0)
Thank you for your kindness, Aklan Heat.
Bob
A Happy New Year to you and your wonderful family.
I came across this article about education in the Philippines.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/asia-pacific/school-drop-out-rates-highlight-lost-decade-of-education-in-philippines?pageCount=0
Maybe your readers would be interested in reading it and learning of the fate of nearly 60% of public school students. So very sad to rob a person of an education.
Thanks for sharing that, Lloyd.
Hey Bob,
Thanks for all you do. I have been tho the Philippines about six times now, and The poverty always tugs at my heart. The thing that really gets me is the street children, some are naked.
Only in America can a person be called poor, and own a car, and a television.
Thank you, Hudson! I appreciate it. You are so right, that seeing the street kids can really tug at your heart. I know the feeling well.
Absolutely fabulous thing you and your family did Bob!
I am sure these kids will do even better in school with food and all your help.
HAPPY NEW YEAR may you have a very prosperous 2011.
Thank you, Cheryll Ann! I hope you also have a great 2011!
Hello Bob.
First I like to say: “God bless you and your families.”
Second: I know that in the Philippines gives a saying: “You will get it back 3 times.” if you do something good.
My Story and I guess everybody’s story if you are married to a Filipina.
She couldn’t afford it for so a long time. She worked as a Nanny in Italy and Canada were I met her. So after I got her story I send her and her son back home and worked in Canada. (I am not getting payed if I am not working ) 6 month later it was my turn with her to see all the “nice” people there. After arriving at her home village in Dupac, Asingan, Panasingan, a big Hello from all the neighbors and relatives. 22 years was she not at home. Now in a short time, twice. The 1st day we were sleepy from the flight and the time change. At the second evening I got the story that one of her classmates was a victim of a hit and run and sleeping for 17 month outside the house because his old parents, around 78 years young, couldn’t carry him in and out. Audrey, my wife, did not even look at me as I got out of the shower to get my coffee. After asking what I did, she started: “You must be a monk or a priest in one of your lives before!….” Than she explained me what she like to visit and to buy aaaaaaand after that I could look for a wheelchair. That’s how good she knows me without saying anything. I answered: “OK. You got me! Could we visit Henry today?” We did. He lives only couple houses down the street. As we got there (we walked on the street like Filipinos do -> my wifes comment: “They must think we are poor!” hehehe), I could not believe what I saw and must listen too. A man in our age, Bob. None of his “friends” visit him anymore. He could not leave the yard in 17 month. Only to be on this old mattress. Not even his classmates there are living in the States or Canada were helping him. AND they did know what was happening to him. So for me it was clear what to do. Walking back to my wifes house, we did not talk at all. After I got my second coffee I asked the maid who is working for my brother in-law: “Do you know how much a wheelchair is and how much they cost.” She said suddenly: “Around 4 to 5 Grand.” I was shocked! ( I am a poor German Immigrant to Canada, hart working but still. $4,000 that was to much for us. -> that’s the thing of thinking in Dollars.) She said. “NO. NO. Pesos! Than I was more shocked than before: Did none of his classmates with all the nice bungalows in the village, hat this amount of “pocket money” for a classmate??! Not even thinking and wasting my thoughts. I am a man of doing and not talking….. “Where can I get one…” “Across the street. Brand new. Her husband died before he could use the wheelchair 18 month ago.” (Whaaaaat?! – only to explain what I thought in that second. If you know what I mean.) So we did not take the Jeep. We walked again couple houses down the street, crossed the street like all the other Filipinos. (Yes. I noticed again the look in my wifes face and her relatives. hehehe ) There was the wheelchair. Brand new and still in the foil. 4 homes far from Henry and for him a world far away. (I must explain. In my wifes area. There are no “Americanos” around. So I was the pet in the zoo…) So I must be a “millionaro”. “20,000 we like to have.” I turned suddenly to the door. “10,000!” I stepped outside the house. “7,000, please.” ( I was still angry.) “Excuse me. Do you know your neighbor Henry from across the street, madame?” “Yes, of course. Since he was a baby.” “Why did you not give him the wheel chair and stored it with nobody to use it 1 1/2 year in your big garage?” Silence. Than: How much got you give?, she said. ( There we go.) 2,500 pesos. That’s what is in my budget, madame. So we got the 18 month old wheelchair, still in the foil for Henry. And as Audrey and I handed the wheelchair to Henry over, everybody around started to cry. Henry cried like a little baby. His parents and neighbors cried – yeahhh and I, German “brickhead” cried also. And I will not forget that I pushed Henry my whole holidays around in the area. (My back will not forget that!) To the Church. To the new house in the area. To the market… and on and on.
Long story. Short question.
Why do Filipinos not help each other? Why has to come a stranger to help the poor, when “rich” Filipinos sitting in there brand new Bungalows with AC? Classmates, friends….?
BTW: Before we left, I gave the old lady on top of the 2,500 an extra 2,000 so she got what she payed for. Some of the neighbors said:”You waked the little village up! For us it is a shame that a foreigner has to show what mercy is.” From this day we hat a lot of fun with the neighbors. Party there. A other party there. And yes. My wife got her Gucci glasses. A lot of trips with the “richer” neighbors to there secret places – always crowded – so it could not be this of a secret place. But: We got some trouble with the relatives. (Her brothers in-laws family) “He is NOT a relative!! He is not family!! How could you do that.” Soooo…every morning 5am. Get our clothes and out of the house… Hehehe
Still we get mails where neighbors and friends write how Henry and his family enjoy the wheelchair. And now – some of his friends showing up again…..
Holger
I forgot:
Sorry for my bad English. I am only five years in Canada…
And I have your “2011 Give away.” in my schedule to send some money around October 2011. Please remind me. I am getting every year older….
Holger
Thank you very much for your story, Holger. I would say that Filipinos do help each other, but only some of them. Many do not, and the spirit of philanthropy here is much smaller than in other places around the world. Perhaps it will grow in time.
Hi Bob. This is awesome. That feeling that almost feels selfish is something more people who “want stuff” should experience. There’s a line of a Dave Matthews song (You Might Die Trying) that goes..”When you Give..you begin to Live…you Get the World”. The entire song is about taking risks to change the world ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypSIiI7bbqo ). I think a lot of people would suddenly lose interest in a lot of material wants if they could just experience first hand the rewards of helping others who have such great hardships. Works for me!!
I have a good bit of science and GIS teaching experience and lofty ideas…But I have some especially relevant experience that plants specific ideas for the Philippines in my head. I taught for a year at The Preuss School – University of California, San Diego. It is a charter school with one mission – to give low-income students, mostly from under-represented groups, the opportunity to be the first in their family to go to college. I want to replicate this in Philippines and provide a curriculum that exceeds the standard “knowledge for tests” model. I want all curriculum to also have a strong “school-to-career” emphasis. I see a rich science curriculum based on application, not simple rote learning. Biotechnology and Geospatial Technology would be featured prominently because these are two of the fastest growing career fields on the planet.
The public, governmental, and private sector applications of GIS&T (Geographic Information Systems & Technology) are endless and opportunities growing exponentially. Geospatial enterprise is developing new technologies and NEW careers. A college freshman going into Geospatial Technology/Analysis/Intelligence, etc. is very likely preparing for a job just a few years later that today does not exist, such is the pace of innovation and technology evolution. This is hard for “old economy” mind sets to get their head around. Think of education as a quarterback throwing a leading pass to a receiver running a cross-field pattern. The ball is thrown not where the receiver IS now, but instead is thrown where the receiver WILL BE in the future. But the analogy is incomplete, because the position of the intersection of the ball and receiver could be marked “lawyer, doctor, etc.” In my imaginary football game their are intersection points, but no labels….they haven’t been invented yet. The education I’m talking about is preparing students for what is today unknown. So teaching WHAT is not as important as teaching them to THINK and APPLY what they learn. These students will be the CREATORS of technologies and careers we do not see today.
The key is to prepare students for jobs and associated technologies that DO NOT YET EXIST and perhaps are not even an idea yet. A very simple example would be the guys who drive around in the cars for Google with all the cameras on top and are constantly tagging the images with GPS coordinates so we can all enjoy the “Street View” tours in Google Maps. Those jobs did not exist 8 years ago…(nor did the clever software that stitches the photos together in an interactive and constantly updating 360 degree view as you “walk” down the street). See what I am talking about here: http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/episode1/complete
I do not work for Penn State University, but I am enrolled in their online GIS Post-Graduate Certificate/Masters Degree program 🙂
Getting kids through high school (and even college) to become part of the well-educated unemployed masses is not good enough. Others have mentioned the endless replication of tired small business ideas in the Philippines. If someone opens an internet cafe, then another person will copy that idea, saturating the market to the detriment of both businesses. School-to-career education can prevent this sort of thing. Now, I value learning as its own reward as much as anyone (including liberal arts education), but we must prepare for and make kids AWARE of the jobs of the future. I want to do it in the Philippines….and I’m pretty sure I will. Now I have the general inspired idea….in a few more years I hope and expect to see the BALL and where I will CATCH IT:)
You have provided a lot of inspiring articles and comments recently. I’m very busy with teaching my Physics and Geospatial Analysis classes, and now I’m studying online at PSU. Spring Break gave me a chance to catch up with my LiP reading!
Jon
Hi Jon – Thanks for your comment. Enjoy your catch up reading!