By Hermes Ford
It is said: “It’s only when you share life with others that life begins to have meaning, the time you touch the life of others is the time that you really live.” This is what we members of FANCO feel when we hear of the expression of gratitude from the people of ProjectPEARLS in Manila for what we have done to a dozen poor children who are beneficiaries of our donation. Feel good, huh!
FANCO is now in its third year of involvement in the Sitio Ulingan outreach in Tondo, Manila , charity program of Project PEARLS, acronym for Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love, Smile. It is founded by Melissa Villa as a tax exempt, non-profit organization incorporated in California . It stirs awareness of the plight of and radiate some light in the life of the less blessed in the home country. The place is a dumpsite of filth and squalor where children scavenge for charcoal and sell them for pittance to augment the family income.
I was there during my last visit. I saw the destitution. I was moved. I was conquered. The environs envisage like hell’s ferment with maze of fumes swirling around that can cause respiratory and heart illnesses. It’s a macabre scene that you witness and feel. If you aren’t moved your heart must be made of stone. There are numerous organized groups with kindred mission that have allied themselves with ProjectPEARLS. These are nurses, doctors and ordinary citizens who are all modern Comforters of the Afflicted.
| Karen Beblanas is one of the volunteers who chairs the Scholarship Committee. She reports that a dozen children are beneficiaries of FANCO’s donation. Each receive two sets of uniforms,(T-shirts, shorts, skirts) pair of shoes, socks, a back pack with school supplies. All of FANCO’s “scholars” are doing well in school. They are served nutritious breakfast during recess, given free medical check-up by the volunteers and join educational field trips that widen their horizons. |  |
With this kind of good news, I think we can augment FANCO’s donation each year as individual members. No amount is too paltry to radiate light in their affliction. $10 may not mean a lot to us but count a great deal to these poor kids to be able to get an education which is their lifeline out of poverty. Let’s roll the ball. It starts with me.
Please visit www.ProjectPEARLS.com to learn how you can help.
Please visit www.ProjectPEARLS.com to learn how you can help.
