ReachOut 2003

ReachOut 2003 – we were able to share the joys of Christmas with around 180-200 of our little brothers and sisters at the Dagong, Carmen Landfill in Cagayan de Oro City. Dunkin Donuts was one of our major sponsors and donated a lot of donuts for the children. We even have Winnie The Pooh (da mascot) dancing and playing with the kids. Who could forget Manong Fishball and Manong IceCream who were handing out the all the yummy street food we all grew up with? ;)

It is our hope that we continue on and strive to touch more lives. As we go along our lives and careers, may we always remember that life itself is meaningless if we don’t share it.

Here are the pictures from the event: http://12.101.68.106/~dng/reachout2003/

ReachOut (take 1)

It was a very humbling experience to give back to our community and share the true spirit of Christmas. I can still remember the first few years when our class (4A96 Kong Hua School) started getting together during Christmas break to do something for the kids in our community.

We started by doing the traditional Filipino Christmas caroling going from house to house to raise funds and any gifts for the children. One or two of us doing the guitars, and about 5 or 10 of us *well-gifted* singers worked our voices and gave it our best shot ;) Then the big day came, we cooked the food ourselves and packed and distributed all the giveaways ourselves.

It was such a momentous occasion for us. Every Christmas was an opportunity. An opportunity to not only be together, but be together for something we care about.

It’s such an inspiring thought and seeing friends truly believe in what they are doing for others is just heart-warming. Kudos to ‘ya all!

Agora Street School

Agora Street School, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

Participating in class...

Having fun @ Agora Street School!

Shel Silverstein story

THE GIVING TREE

Once there was a giving tree who loved a little boy.

And everyday the boy would come to play
Swinging from the branches, sleeping in the shade
Laughing all the summer’s hours away.
And so they love,
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon the boy grew older and one day he came and said,
"Can you give me some money, tree, to buy something I’ve found?"
"I have no money," said the tree, "Just apples, twigs and leaves."
"But you can take my apples, boy, and sell them in the town."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

But soon again the boy came back and he said to the tree,
"I’m now a man and I must have a house that’s all my home."
"I can’t give you a house" he said,
"The forest is my house."
"But you may cut my branches off and build yourself a home"
And so he did.
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.

And time went by and the boy came back with sadness in his eyes.
"My life has turned so cold," he says, "and I need sunny days."
"I’ve nothing but my trunk," he says, "But you can cut it down
And build yourself a boat and sail away."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.

Oh, the tree was glad.And after years the boy came back, both of them were old.
"I really cannot help you if you ask for another gift."
"I’m nothing but an old stump now. I’m sorry but I’ve nothing more to give"
"I do not need very much now, just a quiet place to rest,"
The boy, he whispered, with a weary smile."Well", said the tree,
"An old stump is still good for that."
"Come, boy", he said, "Sit down, sit down and rest a while."
And so he did and
Oh, the tree was happy.
Oh, the tree was glad.





*_*, just sharing this beautiful story.