OWWA Gift Giving 2013: I am blessed

I didn't blog that much since BER months entered. I was so busy with many activities, though I'm still busy right now I'm just hoping to finish this post and to share what kept me busy during December last year.

I am blessed and I want to be a blessing

2013 has been good to me. The Lord bestowed me so much unexpected blessings and for that I am truly thankful and grateful and one of my way in giving thanks is to share my blessings to others. Sharing my family, friends, colleagues and brethren to my fellow Filipino OFW under the custody of OWWA. Thank you so much to all people who responded to the donation drive - OWWA GIFT GIVING 2013 campaign. 

 

The true essence for Christmas for me is about loving and giving like what our God did that He gave us His only son for us to be saved.

In our own way by sharing our time, giving what we can give and most especially giving our love to them we can let them feel that they are loved and someone cares for them. 

I always believe that I don't need to be rich and to have much money and resources for me to be able to help and reach out people, what we need is a heart that is willing to give and share.

my QICM brethren - YAM and CREW

my colleagues and friends

Knowing their stories and sharing ours to them is I know has been a blessing to each other. Each one of us has our own challenges in life and we have only one goal - to overcome it.

I am so much thankful to the CREW ministry at their young age I saw their eagerness to be a comforter to others - listening to the others and encourage them to the best they can. 

CREW you've been a blessing to all of us, continue to impart kindness and reach out to people who are in need.

We have enough but sometimes we still complain and brag that what we have is not the only thing we deserve to have. But if you'll be able to see them, simple and little things that they've got from us, they appreciate it so much. Little things for us are great things for others; don't be tired of helping others, nor be tired of encouraging through words cos we never know what will be its impact to them.

 

 

my brother (in the middle) with kabayans of OWWA

 Realizing how its hard to be an OFW and appreciating what we have at this moment upon seeing the situation of our distressed kababayans in OWWA is one great blessing that we got.

 

Seeing those sweet smiles on their faces is enough to ease my tiredness from the time I drafted the donation campaign letters until to the event itself.

To all cheerful givers who gave and shared your time and resources to our fellow OFW who are in OWWA custody, thank you so much!

Let's continue to share and give. Be blessed and be a blessing.

OWWA Gift Giving 2013 : BE A BLESSING

Since 2008 when I learned from a friend that even here in Qatar maraming mga distressed OFWs, distressed means yung mga inabuso or minaltrato ng kani-kanilang mga employer. Every year seems to be my first time in the OWWA, iba't - ibang kwento, iba't -ibang tao ang makikilala at makakasalamuha mo. From 2008 I only join a certain organization in giving gifts to OWWA, mahirap daw kasi nga mag-organized ng sarili mong gift giving dito sa ibang bansa especially yung mga cases ng recipients, pero kahit pa nakikisama lang ako sa ibang group I treat it as its my own gift giving - exert ng effort asking my family and friends for some donations or pledges. Nakakapagod, I even absent from work just to collect and pack everything for the gift  giving pero honestly nakakapagod man mas doble - triple ang saya! Yung alam mong may mapapasaya, yung alam mong simpleng bagay lang yung laman ng mga paper bags na bitbit mo pero super naappreciate nila. I tell you guys iba ang pakiramdam.

I received so many blessings this year and when I said blessings is not only financially, I don't even have an increment nga but still the Lord stored me so many things this year and would you believe even this OWWA Gift Giving is one those blessings? Let me tell you why...cos after few years of wishing and praying to organize my own gift giving, this year it was granted! I know kahit sino pa ang kasama natin sa mga charity it doesn't matters, tayo man ang organizers or donors wala namang kaso yon but I want to involve my family, brethren and friends. Gusto ko rin makita nila with their own eyes kung saan or kanino napupunta ang mga donations and pledges nila, gusto ko rin na sila mismo ang makarinig ng mga kwento kung paano lumaban at nakatakas ang mga OFW itong sa kamay ng mapagsamantalang amo nila. I want them to be encouraged that they are so blessed and hope to learn to be a blessing as well in someone's life.

Last month, I am so surprised when a friend of mine told me that OWWA granted my request to have a gift giving at OWWA and they allowed me to have it on Friday, yun kasi yung pinakawalang pasok dito.

Thank you Lord after years, I can be with my family, friends and brethren in this event.

Mark this on your calendar guys!

 

As of my last visit last year, there were 100+ women, 3 men and 5 children who are living under the care and custody of OWWA, hoping that this year it is lesser..not because I want to lessen the donations that we're going to raise pero sana konti na lang or much better kung walang namamaltrato or nabibiktima.

Doha family, friends, brethren, colleagues and even to those that I don't know personally but have the desires to spread, share and give joy, hope and love to our fellow OFW.

Pwede nyong isama ang kaibigan ng kaibigan ng kaibigan nyo or ang kapatid or pinsan ng pinsan ng kaopisina mo :-) The point is we're untied in one mission, TO GIVE LOVE

Simple things from us are big and special gift for them....

One of the investment of many OFW especially women are on their clothes, aminin nyo ladies halos minsan namromroblema na kayo kung paano isasara ang closet door nyo sa kadamihan ng mga damit nyo na hindi naman na naisusuot, may iba sa atin sasabihin na magdadiet para masuot ulit yung damit, what if maluma na or worse magato na yung fabric nya, sayang naman di ba so this is one of your chance para mabawasan ang mga damit sa cabinet nyo. So aside magiging maluwag ang cabinet nyo makakapagpasaya pa kayo :-) same as with your shoe racks and bag stand.

When receiving a gift, di ba gusto natin yung kahit hindi naman super ganda pero presentable or useable naman, ganon din sana tayo kapag magbibigay, isipin natin na we're giving something to ourselves, na tayo ang magsusuot. Gusto mo ba magsuot ng may butas or sobrang nipis na damit dahil sa kalumaan? di ba ayaw mo. When we are giving something isipin sana muna natin if us ourselves kung tayo ang bibigyan maappreciate ba natin or baka maawa tayo sa mga sarili natin at isipin natin na taga-salo lang tayo ng mga patapong bagay? I hope you get my point guys, ang gusto natin is mapasaya sila hindi po ipamukha sa kanila kung ano sila. Kung pwede rin po sana wag na tayong magbigay na kelangan pang sulsihan, in short maayos pong mga damit or gamit ang ibigay natin sa kanila, used man po ito for sure ako maappreciate at pasasalamatan nila.

Every year I make sure that each of them can receive a paper bag with toiletries - bath soap, toothpaste, tooth brush, sanitary napkin, shampoo, etc., its a basic needs to have at least a set of those stuffs.

How your donations of a pack of soap or a pair of toothbrush and toothpaste will work? lahat ng mga donations ay pinapagsama-sama until makabuo ng ilang sets na mabibigyan lahat, brand doesn't matter po as long as hindi expired at ok.

Last year since may mga kids na rin sa OWWA I asked my friends na pwede rin ang diapers or milk or used clothes for kids. So tanong nyo naman, how come nagkaroon ng mga bata sa OWWA? sila yung mga batang naging bunga nang mga pangaabuso, so pwede rin po ang diapers or children stuffs.

You can also give food for the gift giving event itself - pansit, puto, spaghetti, bread, soft drinks, water or juice or kahit ano pong pagkain basta hindi sira or panis. I remember last 2010 yata yon, during ng kainan umupo ako at nakipagkwentuhan sa isa sa mga babae sa OWWA, ng bigla na lang syang namilipit sa sakit ng tyan at napaiyak na sya, nung tanungin ko sya sinabi nya siguro daw nabigla ang tyan nya kasi ilang linngo na daw syang di kumakain kc nga hindi sya pinapakain ng amo nya and she just arrived at OWWA that morning kaya ang first meal nya afters weeks is nung umaga pa lang.

We are so blessed, we can eat whenever and whatever we want, sometimes may mga food pa tayo na nasisira lang kasi nga takaw tingin lang, you can pledge :-) yung pang Chillis or pang-Starbucks mo ilang balot na loaf bread na rin ang maibibigay mo sa kanila di ba. Its easy to do if and if you have the desires to make them happy. And I know you have :-)

Since some doesn't have much time to buy toiletries or food and drinks, you can just give me any amount and rest assured that the amount will be fully for those stuffs.

If you have car and you can drive for us going to the event, it would be a great help for us also, knowing that taxi or private car is a bit expensive also.

Friday is the only rest day after a tiring week for some of us but believe me, its very fulfilling and you'll enjoy it.

Guys once more I'm asking your help and support to make this gift giving possible. Like past years hope you can support me again and this time I want you to know that you can personally join on the event itself - kung dati nagdodonate ka lang, kung dati nakikinig ka lang sa kwento ko or nakikita mo lang sila sa picture na pinopost ko, well this year you can see, hear their stories and be in touched with them.

Everyone is welcome to be a part of this event. This is not my party, this is to make our fellow OFW happy even at least few hours.  They are the stars of the event :-) At least for few hours maiparamdam natin sa kanila that we love and care for them and lift them up not to loose hope despite of what happened to them.

I believe all of us are bless in different aspects of our life, although we will celebrate Christmas and New Year far away from our family but still, we have a freedom to enjoy celebrate it the way we want. We can enjoy the people matters to us, we can enjoy the foods in our table, we can receive best gifts presence from someone who love us, sana sila rin di ba? But we can make it possible hindi man sa Christmas Day, we can do it in advance :-) Sa tulong ng bawat isa sa atin, mas marami tayong mapapangiti at mapapasaya.

Together, we can do more! 

Lets share our blessings...

Be a blessing and be blessed!

If you want to be a part of the OWWA Gift Giving 2013 in any way - being a donor or volunteer don't hesitate to send me a message :-)

Mas masaya kung sama-sama :-)

God bless us all

Sagip Kababayan: Reaching Out for Victims of Typhoon Yolanda

Every time I see the photos and videos how the typhoon Yolanda disastrously damaged Philippines I can't help to cry and sympathize to my fellow Filipino. But even I cried so hard and loud its useless, I cannot comfort them with those tears and sympathy words, they need help in any little ways we can.

I saw several posts of how other countries and even those other nationalities in vacation in Philippines help and reach our fellowmen. I am bless seeing them carry sack of rice and packing relief goods, I am happy to see the monetary figures other countries gave to Philippines to help its people and maybe to restore other important facilities that need to be restored. But how about us, does our heart desires to reach and help our "kababayans" too? or iiyak na din lang tayo at awa lang ang paiiralin every time we see them in pain and in hunger, sleeping on the cold street with full of mud. Ipagpapaubaya na lamang ba natin sa ibang lahi ang pagtulong sa mismo nating mga kababayan dahil sa isang katutak na dahilan natin? "wala kasi akong pera", "wala akong oras" or "marami na namang tutulong sa kanila". Have you ever think the possibility na pwedeng mangyari din sa'yo ang nangyari sa kanila? at there is a possibility also na kung anong dahilan mo ng di mo pagtulong sa kanila ngayon is yon din ang ibigay ng ibang taong dahilan sa'yo pagdating ng araw?

Don't think that I'm forcing you to donate nor to help, my point is if you'll see how blessed you are at this moment if you'll compare what they are going through, will you just ignore them?

Ang pagtulong hindi hobby, hindi rin ito katulad ng arts or ng baking na kelangan maging passion mo muna bago mo gustuhing gawin. Helping others is desire from the heart and you can teach your heart to love to help others. 

If you are reading my previous posts in here siguro sasabihin nyo naman nakakabingi na ang mga sermon ni Jen about helping and giving :-) well instead na mabingi ka, tumulong ka na din lang - mas masaya, masarap ang pakiramdam na magshare ng blessings.

I received calls and messages from family, friends and colleagues to lead the donation drive for the victims of typhoon Yolanda. Its not my first time to do this SAGIP KABABAYAN - nagdaan si Ondoy, Sendong, Pablo at kung sino-sino pang bagyo and lagi kong sinasabi we don't need to be rich nor to be in any position to help others, what only matters are the desire of our heart in helping.

Marami pa rin sa mga Pilipino especially OFWs ang nagdududa minsan na tumulong kasi they are thinking na ibubulsa lang ng taong papadalhan nila ang pera na ipinadala nila para sa mga biktima pero isipin nyo what if hindi naman talaga ganon? e di nasayang yung time na dapat nakatulong ka sa kapwa mo.

For several years I've been sending donations from our donation drive through some tv stations and other organizations but for this typhoon Yolanda, it will be sent directly to a person who will personally go to some areas mainly Tacloban, the most affected by the typhoon to reach the victims physically.  I'm referring to Mitz Sanchez Mape, she's a friend of one of my brethren. Mitz is not affiliated in any NGOs or private organization. She is doing out reach projects/ programs by herself with help of her family and friends.

So how Mitz will distribute our donations?

For this typhoon Yolanda operation, I and other friends and colleagues decided to instead of in kind donations we will only accept monetary donations. Why? For the past SK donation drives that we did we paid a bit expensive cost for the shipping, instead na maidadag yon sa pambili ng ibang needs ng ating mga kababayan napupunta sa shipping cost. We know na kelangan din nila ng mga damit and other apparels at malaking tulong din yung mga maiibigay natin, pero as of their present situations they need mostly foods, water, medicines and other primary needs na mas mura nating mabibili sa Pinas. But still paki-stand by lang po nung mga used clothes, kasi we are also working to seek for some groups na pwede nating pagbigyan and aside pwede po nating idonate yan sa OWWA.

How we will do it?

After gathering all the donations I will send it to Mitz, after receiving she will confirm to me. We can ask her what goods we want for the victims then she will buy it, pack and personally bring it to the victims. All the receipts will be sent to me and all the photos will be posted from time to time.

I know like me, you are also saying to yourself "kung sana andon ako sa Pinas...", if only I have means to be there personally and to reach them out physically. But the reality is we are here and one of the best that we can do is to help our fellow Filipinos by giving or sharing our resources to them.

Lets be a blessing in any simple or little ways we can!

In times like this, all we need is an open heart and open hand.

We are bless and that is enough to be a blessing as well to others especially to those who are in need.

Lets not wait for Christmas to extend help...lets make every day and every instances a Christmas, full of love and one of the essence is sharing and giving.

For any of your donations and related inquiry. don't hesitate to call me or drop me a message.

Thank you so much.

God bless Philippines

God bless us all

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16

Shop and Share Love at Cotton On

Its not on my plan to visit any mall on Eid Holiday, aside from its crowded I read the memorandum circular from Philippine embassy regarding the terrorist threat. But plan didn't go that way, and much to what I expect that we will only visit one mall that day, parang nagmall tour kami - 3 malls in 1 day! But we chose the not so crowded place, we opted to go to the newly opened malls. Ironically di sya masayadong matao kasi mejo malayo, I mean you'll really need your own car or car lift kasi walang taxi stand.

Our first stop Ezdan Mall

And since its not my first time on Ezdan, I checked those stores na di ko pa napapasok at naeenjoy. I heard and read a lot about COTTON ON, so I didn't miss the chance to get in.

Cotton On is an Australian retail chain operating in different countries in New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, US, UAE, Philippines, etc.and now in Qatar! Its my first time in Cotton On, I never even tried it once even meron sa Pinas.

Like any other retail chain, Cotton On has so many things to offer - from smart casual to sleep wear for women, men and kids, at sa dami ng pagpipilian mo nakakalito talaga, buti na lang hindi mejo naovercome ko na ang pagiging impulsive buyer ko ^_^ kaya I ended up buying few stuffs only from them.

I really love this Rubi ballerina shoes I bought from them. Super comfy! if I only knew my feet will love it, as in talagang I'll buy all colors, sana pagbalik ko don meron pa.

Aside from the stuffs I bought from them, what I really love about Cotton On is when I found out that they are selling stuffs for the foundation. I've got these bags.

The colorful floral design captured my attention, I found it on the rack near the counter I got curious and I opened it kasi nakafold, and since its cheap naman I got a piece then I saw the label and found out that this is for a cause nga so I bought both designs.

"What started as a simple donation to complete a healthcare centre in a small African village was to be a life-changing partnership for the people of Southern Uganda and for the Cotton On Foundation. In November 2007, the Cotton On Foundation arrived in Mannya village, UGanda known to be an area rife with HIV/AIDS. Mannya was a community in need of help. A lack of education, basic infrastructure and healthcare facilities had led to a village in desperate need of a helping hand"

And what makes Cotton On different? when you buy an item the exact price that you paid will 100%  be given to the foundation - hindi lang percentage ang mapapakinabangan ng mga beneficiaries, as in 100% . 

"We sell our own products in over 1,000 Cotton On Group stores globally, and 100% of the proceeds go back to the Cotton On Foundation to support those most in need."

It’s as simple as that! We are different to most other charities; rather than cutting cheques, we roll our sleeves up and get our hands dirty to help out our mates. We also lean on Cotton On Group resources to help us to deliver projects at the lowest operating cost. We manage all the projects from start to finish, ensuring that all needs are met within a realistic timeframe … and we have fun doing it!"

How we can help?

Just visit any Cotton On stores on your place or their websites, buy their everyday items like bottles of water, accessories, bags, and other small gifts. Easy to check if the items are part of the Cotton On Foundation, just look for logo same as this...

100% of proceeds from the sale of any product with that logo or mark will go towards Cotton On Foundation to fund the projects.

May stuffs ka na, nakatulong ka pa! Fulfilling magshopping kapag alam mo na hindi lang ang sarili mo ang napasaya mo even pati yung mga umaasa sa foundation.

Change is not only through our pocket but even in our fingertips. By spreading the word, we are helping others to educate on how they can help as well. Click their site and check what's the latest.

Cotton On Foundation - Empowering the Youth

By simply buying or spreading the word, we can help them to reach as many as we can. So guys next time you visit Cotton On, don't forget to include some stuffs from Cotton On Foundation on your cart ^_^

We sell our own products in over 1,000 Cotton On Group stores globally, and 100% of the proceeds go back to the Cotton On Foundation to support those most in need.
It’s as simple as that! We are different to most other charities; rather than cutting cheques, we roll our sleeves up and get our hands dirty to help out our mates. We also lean on Cotton On Group resources to help us to deliver projects at the lowest operating cost. We manage all the projects from start to finish, ensuring that all needs are met within a realistic timeframe … and we have fun doing it!
Speaking of our projects, they’re all based on four pillars; health, education, sustainability and infrastructure. These pillars were derived from the United Nations Millenium Development Goals and form the basis of every project undertaken by the Cotton On Foundation. In line with the Millenium Development Goals and our mission of ‘empowering youth’, we are helping to reduce poverty and improve the lives of those in need.
We truly are in partnership with you our customers, and we’re proud of the fact that you can follow your dollar and the journey it takes, including the real impact it has on people’s lives.

- See more at: http://www.cottononfoundation.org/about#sthash.Xclt6WiI.dpuf