TBK Gives - The amazing caring , sharing HOPE 2019

HOPE has been a special part of my life for many years now and was the brainchild of good friend of mine, Jam Fernandez, his family and friends. I met him when he was working in Bahrain with Coco and Tin Tin, but he is originally from El Nido. As an OFW who has worked in many countries he wanted to give back to his Kubayan in El Nido . He joined up with other OFW, me , family and friends around the world. Together we raised funds to spend on the poor kids in the various Barangays around El Nido. Each year he raises funds, and on his vacation calls off in Manila to buy colouring books, pens and slippers ( the English call them flip flops and the Australians Thongs) for the kids. 

 

Colouring books for the kids

Then he has them shipped back to El Nido and he gets his lovely cousins and nephews to split everything between cotton bags . Next they make food, sandwiches and soft drinks in huge containers. Much work goes on behind the scenes liaising with the schools and local officials to arrange these visits.

   Aimae talks to the kids about her sponsorship from HOPE

 

 

I first sponsored a child , Aimea, through HOPE in 2017 and then attended my first HOPE event in 2018 with Kuya Vin . There was a minibus of helpers from El Nido Cove including Ate Ritchelle and her boys and Ran and his family. Ran also donated money as he used to go to the school we visited that year. The kids were excited waiting on their day off in the rain under an open sided building at the school. They helped us unload the van and the pick up and bought benches and tables for everyone to sit on. Angelina ( Ran's sister) was the MC and the Head Teacher, Barangay officials and Jam made speeches , in Tagalog, and then it was my turn!

"Malygiang Paskao, Salamat, Ingat"
 
"Happy Christmas, Thank you, good luck"

Distributing bags of gifts to the long line of kids- They all said  "Salamat po" 

 Then we lined up and the kids came to collect their gifts with big smiles and "Salamat Po" from each and ever one. I replied ""walang anuman po" to each one.  I still cry tears of happiness at the memory. The slipper selection was a real education for someone fortunate enough to live in the Middle East. These little kids walk miles to school in their slippers and some were paper thin. In Bahrain no boy wold wear pink slippers but in the Philippines they don't care about colour and style as long as they fit and are comfortable.

Everyone unpacks the slippers and puts them out for the kids to choose- a lot of Pink ones.. Jam!

Aimea was there and made a speech in Tagalog about how proud she is that I sponsor her and what it means to her and her family ( more tears from me!) .  Then Jam introduced another boy who is sponsored through HOPE and we all listened as he told his story.

Tito Ran

Then the fun started with Children's Entertainer and part time receptionist at El Nido Cove , Tito Ran!

We had dancing and games to win prizes and no one really cared that it was pouring with rain! Finally, when everyone was exhausted, we fed the kids. They all bought their plates and reusable beakers to be filled ( no horrible single use plastic here) and finally everyone went home clutching their gift bags and proudly wearing their new slippers for the long walk home in the rain.

My gwapo assistant- Kobe

Once all the kids had gone all the volunteers were treated to lunch next door at the Barangay captains house. Finally, exhausted, we headed back to the hotel where Ran and Ritchelle were on late shift. However the road was flooded, the van could not get through, and the highlight of the day was being carried through the floods on top of a fire engine. 

Hold tight

Time for a badly focused selfie with Kuya Vin on top of the fire truck

Thanks guys for the lift

 

As they say, "Its more fun in the Philippines!"

Here I just want to end with a huge debt of gratitude to Jam and his family for the wonderful job they do with HOPE each year.

I am looking forward to helping them raise more funds for their mobile library and driving it from school to school and encouraging the kids to read in the years to come

One of our dreams, the HOPE mobile library

 

That's me in the message  - Tito Neil ( Uncle Neil!)

Until the next time - please get in touch if you would like to help in any way with HOPE

You can get in touch through our Facebook page

 https://www.facebook.com/Friends-For-HOPE-We-Care-We-Share-876213572535956/

T         The kids , teachers and Volunteers,  say "Maraming salamat po" to everyone who donated for the 2019 events

Until the next time this is the British Kabayan, signing out.

Ingat, Kita Kits xx