Reaching Out

The Flickristasindios, one of the Flickr groups I joined where I’ve met photographers (mostly, hobbyists like me) who are very passionate about their craft, has partnered with Red Cross, to organize its first outreach project. So last Saturday, 11 October 2008, about 40 photographers, along with Red Cross staff and volunteers convoyed their way to Pantay Elementary School in Teresa, Rizal. A short lecture and a puppet show about personal hygiene - proper hand washing and brushing of teeth, were conducted by the Red Cross volunteers. The kids listened and watched intently and participated in a few quiz-like games. They were each given a bag of toiletries (which I call the bag of hope!) - soaps, shampoos, toothbrush, toothpastes, and towels. Some members donated slippers and educational books, too. After the program, hot champorado (rice porridge) and milk were served. It was so hot at past 1 o' clock but everybody enjoyed the meal! These were the photos I took last Saturday. Go check it out and see the kids’ smiling faces! I hope that the few hours we spent at Pantay Elementary School conveyed a message of hope to the kids and to their parents, as well.

I realized that an outreach project like this is not expensive at all! That is, if you organize a group, with members who are willing to donate a few bucks and to share a few hours of their precious time. In our group's case, the original plan was for each member to give PhP100 (or more) until we could come up with enough funds to start an outreach project, but before we realize it, money started pouring in from members abroad! Nakakatuwa! Some didn’t even need to contribute money at all (although everybody intended to share, kaya lang sobra na talaga yung funds!). The excess funds will serve as the group's seed money for future projects. Of course, everybody’s willingness to share their time and effort in the project was just remarkable!

On the other hand, your group may want to partner with an established organization (like Red Cross, in our case) for your initial outreach project - for sure, they would be eager to assist willing sponsors. Then, once you are already familiar with the nitty-gritty of doing outreach, your group can probably organize its own project. By the way, I am amazed at Red Cross' dedication to reaching out to other Filipinos in need!

I am happy we were able to touch some lives last Saturday. I made new friends, too! I’m sure it was a gratifying experience for everybody - the kids and their parents, the group, the Red Cross staff and volunteers. I also learned that we have to sing “Happy Birthday” twice while washing and rinsing our hands! :)

I think we are all aware of the fact that there are millions of hands reaching out for help all over the world, or in the Philippines alone, but let's not be overwhelmed. We only need to start grabbing and pulling a few hands at a time until we've covered everyone!