A Meaningful Birthday Celebration among children and young adults with special needs
Gloria vista subdivision, Brgy San Rafael, Rodriguez(Montalban), Rizal 1860, Philippines
Sometime in April 2017, I saw a documentary
of Pinky Web on TV about Cotollengo Filipino, this caught my interest since the
children are all with disability so this could be a possible candidate for
our outreach program which is already running on it’s 3rd year however
my concern was the distance to Rizal province, the location of the orphanage,
from Pasay where I live.
When
my husband (Hoberto S. Fernandez) died on August 09, 2017, I was not at all in
my best emotional capacity to organize an outreach for my 53rd birthday on Sept
15, normally preparation such as looking for supporters, raising funds,
coordinating with the orphanage, shopping for the needs of the beneficiaries
took about one to two months. But by God's grace even though the preparations
went in 3 weeks, we were able to raise more than what I originally budgeted,
actual funds double the target.
Truly
God takes care of the widows and He gave me generous relatives and friends to
sponsor the outreach.
This is the fund raising message
sent to the supporters.
Dear Classmates, Friends & Relatives,
We will be having
an outreach program at the Cottolengo Filipino, an orphanage for the physically
and mentally disable boys on September 24, 2017 from 2pm to 5pm in Rodriguez
Rizal. There are 39 orphans (ages 5 to 29) who will have very little or no chances
at all to be adopted by foster parents. The orphanage needs supplies such as
toiletries (bath soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, baby wipes/wet ones,
adult diapers (medium & XL), laundry powder and food such as biscuits (not
sweetened), canned goods and rice. Candies, chocolates, chips & sweet
snacks are being discouraged. Whatever your heart desires to give will be
highly appreciated but cash is the best option so we can appropriate
accordingly. Thanks and God bless.
We were able to borrow a van from our church Pasay City Alliance Church while
my brother ( Ricky V. Magrata) drove all the way from Olongapo with his wife (
Ate Tess) and daughter (Ruff) to do the shopping for the bulky items such as
sacks of rice and diapers, baby wipes & alcohol from Bambang Manila.
Friends from Duty Free Phils came from Cavite also joined
us while church mates from Pasay City Alliance Church and co workers from SM
Cubao completed the team.
We almost got lost in Marikina but thanks to the offline
map of our driver Toto, we easily found our way to the subdivision.
I was expecting that the boys of
Cottolengo will be fragile and had to be escorted by staff or caregivers every
time they move around, to my surprised, one boy was already waiting at the main
entrance and when I asked him where can i find Ms. Von, he directed me to the
office.
When we were unloading the supplies we brought, he and
another boy started carrying the packages and arranged them on the push cart I
found along the hallway. Both of them pushed the loaded cart about 50 kilos
going to the area. When the boxes have to be unloaded, they carried the box to
the top of the table, really strong boys.
There were already a couple of boys in the venue at the
sound system, there is a small CD player, Joey appears to be the technician,
since he was the one operating the sound system. One by one boys in wheel chair
were arriving being pushed by their caretakers. As previously informed by the
secretary, Ms. Von, there are 10 able boys while the rest are in wheel chair.
 |
| A couple of able boys helped in the balloon making.
|
We wanted to conduct activities that will be suited for
all of them but as per Ms. Von there will only be 10 boys that can play with us
or join the activities while the rest will just be happy seeing, knowing that
there are visitors.
Ate Ruby led the
opening prayer while Kuya Milo hosted the activity, when he asked them to
dance, all the able boys grooved to the dance floor.
When Kuya Milo asked for a singer, one by one six (6)
boys volunteered to sing, surprisingly again, they have their own piece of
song, the technician also knew already what song to play. Some of them were
just humming while others have some recognizable words but there is also Josen
who can audibly sing and have better voice than me.
My sister in law shared her thoughts on the experiences
we had...
ang isa
kong nasabi at naisip while we were there?
Sino ba talaga ang mas mapalad sa atin sila na walang maintindihan halos
sa mundo o tayo na lahat ay iniintindi
...hesitant,
scared that his looks will haunt me,
seeing that one, that didn't develop his fingers, both hands and
feet, plus his distinctive eyes. But more than what my eyes see, I start to see him from my heart. I'd like to let him feel he's loved, he is
normal and very special. His effort to do things like pumping balloons, tying
it which is very difficult for him since
wala syang fingers for support yet he tried doing it over and over, with joy
excitement, and the pride once it take form,
from a little flat balloon. His
joy that is so innocent, that made him kiss the balloon for a lot of times,
brings the pain and unexplained joy to me I believe to us. I had been thankful
for my life, so much so that I began to be more grateful with what the Lord has
given me/us.
one
thing that I appreciate so much in that place o wow ang galing, ung mga walang
kapansanan, ang hirap turuan but them, I am so blessed with how they were
raised up, I felt the love and their
concern for all those unwanted on our outside world, they knew WHEN to eat HOW
to eat and WHAT to eat and do after and WHERE
to place after eating their plates, glass and spoon and the WHY not to eat
more after what is served. I guess the secret for that because all those staff
in cottolengo made them secured and loved as if they were not that so called
special. Going there was never a waste of time it's worth it na tayo pa ang makabog nila...
Meet my photographer, this guy is ecstatic every time he
will be able to take photos from our cell phones, he would be grinning happily,
almost jumping for joy and giggling once he gives you back your phone after
taking his shot. So before we left I asked to him to take my pictures. His
hands were shaking but he knows when he cannot see images from the phone so
he'll give it back to you to fix it.
