Projects

Christmas 2011 Outreach Activity

Gawad Kalinga (GK) Payatas, Quezon City
December 23, 2011

Bringing Christmas cheer to 40 kids of the GK community

After the November 2011 module on "Motivation", the LEAD students were challenged to come up with an outreach activity for Christmas 2011. Despite their hectic schedule and running short on time and funds, the LEAD students put their minds, hearts and energies into the project. It was decided that the group will go to the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village at Molave Street in Payatas, Quezon City. The team was given a list of 40 community children who were to be entertained and given Christmas gifts on December 23.

 Since funds were needed for the gifts for the kids, the students skillfully worked on fund-raising projects, such as the sale of bags and originally-printed giftwrappers, among others. The girls likewise carefully made personalized wristbands for the kids on the list.

The group arrived at GK Payatas at about 10 in the morning of the 23rd. They were met by Dra. Oliveros, Madam Silver and Madam Norma. The girls immediately set up the tables and chairs to be able to proceed to the planned program, consisting of: a Doxology invocation, serving of merienda, several enjoyable parlor games, face-painting, distribution of toys and loot bags carefully prepared by the team in the 2 weeks prior to the visit, and lunch. Included in the gift-giving were stuffed toys and the wristbands specially crafted by the KALFI students bearing the kids' names. After the KALFI program, the GK community took over for their specially-prepared party. The program included delightful numbers from the brothers and sisters from GK Banlat.

GK Payatas Community kids arrive for the party.

"Stage" and backdrop

During the Doxology, sung by Melissa (Pilot batch student),
 accompanied by  Jem (another  Pilot batch student) on the violin

PARLOR GAMES - this one's Trip to Jerusalem

Hanging around with the kids, who endeared themselves straightaway to the LEAD students

Mrs. de Guzman, Mom of one of the LEAD beneficiaries, 
set up this delightful candies-and-sweets table which was the joy of everyone

The KALFI LEAD team, with the GK community kids, posing toward the end of the event

Here's what Jessica (another Pilot batch student) said right after the event: "I had a great time with everyone! So happy that we were able to spend our Christmas by living out its true meaning, i.e., sharing things with others as a way of thanking God. Congrats everyone!" LEAD batch 1 is determined to put their energies into the organization of more and better social events such as this, and shall transmit their experiences to Batch 2 in May 2012.