The kids are all right

The boys and I decided to drop by the grocery store after church to buy the stuff we would be sending to Tacloban City. Nearing our house, we saw five Tawi kids waiting for us at the gate.

They greeted us with a smile, handed me a small paper bag, and said, “Pakisama niyo pa po ito sa ipadadala niyo bukas sa mga binagyo. Nangalakal po kami para din sa kanila. Sana po makatulong.”

I opened the bag and saw a kilo of rice, two cans of sardines and three P10 coins. [Explained one of the kids: “’Yung trenta po pambili nila duon ng tinapay para hindi mayupi sa byahe.”]

I held the precious bag tightly and assured the kids that their donation will surely help Tacloban. I know how hard they worked just so they could share. It’s not easy being chased by dogs and cops, and being bullied by all sorts of tambay in the streets of Rizal. It’s not easy to walk the entire day looking for scraps in every street garbage drum. But they braved the heat of the sun and all other challenges just to come up with what they think would be of help to others.

I said to myself, nahihiya ako sa kanila. Hindi ako naaawa, humahanga ako kasi hindi lahat kayang magbigay nang may kalakip na sakripisyo. So often we give from our spare, but these kids gave out of the only things they’ve got. It reminded me of the poor widow who gave two pennies for the Lord. She gave her all for the Master and that made all the difference. God bless, beautiful children of the Savior.

Mayette Cinco is an optometrist and event planner who leads the Tawi Kids Outreach Program in Cainta, Rizal.

Two kids, two cans

A tale of generosity in a church in Alabang

By Aileen Santos

Inside their parish church in Alabang, volunteers were repacking relief goods for “Yolanda” survivors when two street children pushing their kariton came in … and gave their own donation of two pieces of canned goods.

They said they used all their earnings for that day to buy those canned goods for Yolanda survivors, because they felt they needed it more than they did.

Aileen Santos is a relationship coach at www.aileensantos.com.

Bake sale

Young philanthropists in Venice Beach, LA, sell sweet treats to raise funds for the Red Cross

By Marie-France Ruaux, Contributor

Have I told you how much I love my neighborhood? Saw these little philanthropists on the way to lunch. They were selling Rice Krispies Treats, pumpkin muffins, chocolate chip cookies and spiced apple cider. It made a heart swell.

I didn’t know about this bake sale or know the kids and their parents. We were driving by and saw the sign. My husband made an immediate U-turn and they were surprised that someone stopped specially for them (as opposed to the friends of their parents who were invited to stop by). It’s worth noting that they had the best Rice Krispies Treats I’d ever tasted.

I heard they raised $293 yesterday. That’s a lot of Century Tuna!

Marie-France Arcilla is an award-winning New York actress who’s enjoying getting to know California.