Feeding Program of Yushi...

It was a blessing to accompany people with kind hearts on their quest to feed the children of Pangan-an, Olango Island in Cebu. Thanks to Yushi for pushing me into this activity. I nearly miss this fruitful activity as I am bound to cancel it on the last minute.

At first, the thought of going all the way to a secluded island to conduct a feeding program raised my eyebrow. There are lots of unfortunate children in the neighborhood waiting for our care and attention so going far is not practical. But after seeing these children, I realized that they too deserved to be visited. In our world of poverty, we need more people to be instruments of graces and blessings to our children.

The travel to the island is tedious. The trip requires a small boat as there are shallow areas on the way to the island. In the middle of our travel the boatman has to stop the engine and has to paddle carefully along the shallow area. His assistant was his son named Clark. Clark was just a small boy and looked frail but he was tasked to maneuver the front rear of the boat loaded with more or less twenty people and cargoes. Good thing that one of us took the dirty job from him and he then sat gladly on the front edge.

Good job Renz! You’re the man of the hour.

Upon arrival, the group has been occupied with their invididual task except me. They were well organized and dedicated in making it happen. What about me? I have no idea on what I am doing there so I roamed around and talked to some children while taking few photos.

After packing the meals, the group conducted games and awarded prices to the winner. At first there were only few children but as the sun grow more fiercer the number of children and mothers multiplied. Wow! These people enjoys the sun’s hot rays.

At lunch time, when these children and their mothers were all hungry with the fun games they had, the team distributed the packed lunch and juices. Seeing the excitement on children’s faces while holding their share was nourishing to the soul. No wonder why this group has been super dedicated, super persistent and super passionate on this endeavor.

In the end, we came home renewed and changed. I still believe in teaching a man to fish rather than giving him a fish. But showing these children the virtues of sharing, charity and generosity may somehow shape their character for good. They can be givers in the future and not the recipient anymore… Lets just hope and pray for them. Amen.