Real Life Feeding Program (Pasig, Philippines)

I was very fortunate to join the feeding program last Saturday morning in their Pasig centre. It truly was an experience I will never forget. A lot of the time we say "Yea, I know there are poor people. I donate to charities". But how often do we actually go INTO the areas where poverty is the way of life? How often do we surround ourselves with people who want nothing more than your time of day? These are simple people who smile because they are happy and content, not because they have a huge house and a great fat pay cheque. It was such a humbling experience to go to the centre and do something as simple as feed kids between the ages of 4-10. These kids who walk to the centre on their own to eat probably the only         completely meal of the week.


Happiness

The second the gates of the centre were opened, kids burst through the corridor and into the bathrooms, knowing the drill that before play and food, they must wash their hands thoroughly. Emerging from the toilets, they climb on the nearest volunteers they see. Hanging off them as though they were furniture, these kids come packed with the energy of wild horses. They are running, jumping, laughing, loving. The volunteers, many of whom were roped in through 'team building exercises' from different corporate companies and have no contact with kids apart from probably their nieces and nephews, are caught completely off guard as to the demands of these energizer bunnies. Once the initial shock wears off, the volunteers quickly find themselves carrying, cradling, and cuddling these kids who want nothing more than their attention. I, myself, was carrying 2 little girls at one point who would not for the life of me, let go of my hands. But that in itself was so incredibly beautiful. These were kids I had NEVER met and yet they trusted me enough to hold them. To provide some kind of love to them. Yes, this was very overwhelming.


Crafts

After about 30 minutes of play, the kids, knowing the routine, pick a seat at one of the many tables set up. Each little table sits 3-4 kids and 2 chairs for the adult volunteers. They now begin their arts and craft session. From simple materials like color pens, crayons, stickers and paper plates, the kids create beautiful little pieces of art with messages in the middle dictating the values the centre tries to instill in the kids.


Life Lessons

From the messages on the paper plates creatively designed by the kids to be a present for their parents when they go home, the same rules are put up on the walls. This centre does not just try to feed the kids, they try to teach them respect, value and manners. Quotes like "Always say 'please' and 'thank you' and "No lying, cheating and stealing" are written under 'RULES'. These kids don't just come in and play around for 2 hours, they are enriched. The kids recite the rules and say grace together before beginning their nutritious meal.

Breakfast

After exhausting themselves physically and creatively, they settle back into their seats for a wholesome meal. Rice, veggies and chicken are quickly gobbled by the kids who rarely get these treats. The 2 volunteers at each table watch in awe as the kids shovel food down their throats. Some of the kids running to the kitchen to get second helpings. Others, however, needed to be coaxed to eat. Having so much food is something foreign to many of them. After much persuasion and motivating, the shy kids slowly eat most of their food and then continue with a bit more play time.

                                                                                    Parting

After having spent just 2 hours with these kids, you realize how quickly they get attached to you. One of the girls who was sticking to me the whole morning clung on to me. It was time to say goodbye. I held her and rocked her back and forth. She cuddled me and buried her face in my neck. I could feel her angst. She didn't want to leave. She loved having people around who were playing with her and making her feel special. After a few minutes of cuddling and most of the kids had exited the centre, she looks at me and squeezes my face with her two hands. This girl no older than 6 then wispers "halik halik" (kiss kiss) and proceeds to plant a number of little fat kisses on my cheek. I squeeze her for the last time and promise i'd be back to visit her again. Before my emotions seeped out completely, I lowered her to the ground and she walked down the corridor to the exit. With a turn of the corner, she was gone.

Reflections

I find myself sometimes unhappy with many things. Personal, career. Lots of different things. Attending something as simple as a feeding program where, quite literally, all I did was act like a kid for 2 hours to hang out with a bunch of little people who were so much fun, really put things into perspective. It reminds us why we are fortunate. So that we can give back to those that are not. It to give us the education to know what is right and what's wrong. To not just sit and say "I'll do it tomorrow" or "I'll donate later". No. You get up and you make a difference in someones life, NOW. I can guarantee that won't be the first and last time i'll be at that centre.







There are many kids that need something as simple as a friend. Sounds like something you can handle?


To find our more about REAL LIFE and what they do, here is their website. Go ahead and make a change. :)

Real Life Foundation