Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2009

Chapel at the Sampaguita Resort in Kalibo, Aklan*

May you and your family be blessed with the gifts of Christ's birth which are peace, hope and love.

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Photo by Rosario Charie Albar

*Sampaguita Resort is the Philippine home of the creator of Precious Moments

Para sa Bata San Francisco Chapter Extends Support

I approached Para sa Bata San Francisco Chapter recently to seek their help with my school supplies program in Capiz. Christina Lohmeyer who heads the San Francisco Chapter was very receptive to the idea of extending the resources of Para sa Bata to support my project. Under the umbrella of Para sa Bata, Christina recently contacted friends and family asking for donations to continue the work I’ve started in helping the school kids of Capiz.

Para sa Bata (For a child) is a non profit organization recognized by the U.S. government under 501(c)(3). It was founded by Filipino immigrants in New Jersey who want to make a difference in the lives of needy children in the Philippines. They have been active since 2006 in donating clothes, shoes, toys, books, school supplies and baby products to various groups and foundations in the Philippines including ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay-Bata.

In these difficult economic times, we understand that it is hard for all of us to give as much we would like to. But consider this: a contribution of $6.00 will buy school supplies for three students. Each child will receive crayons, pencils, a pad paper, pens, a toothbrush and toothpaste. We are including a toothbrush and toothpaste to educate the children in proper dental hygiene from an early age.

For those who prefer to give school supplies instead of a cash donation, we are working with another Filipino foundation to send boxes of children's books and supplies directly to Roxas City, Capiz. Either way, we hope to reach as many as 600 children in January 2009. If you have school supplies to give and live in the San Francisco Bay Area, please email chariealbar@gmail.com or clohmeyer@gmail.com to arrange pick-up of your donations.

During this holiday season, please consider donating to Para Sa Bata San Francisco Chapter. Your gift will make a big difference in the lives of these children.

We have made donating convenient by clicking the donate button in the website http://www.parasabata.org/. Please indicate in the description that you are donating for the kids of Roxas City, Capiz.

For more information about Para sa Bata, check their website at http://www.parasabata.org/.

Many thanks for supporting Para sa Bata San Francisco Chapter.

Now on our third year

Happy to report that we successfully distributed school supplies to 234 children at the Culasi Elementary School. There are 233 children in first grade but since it was a rainy day, many children didn't make it to school. I came prepared to give to all first graders, but when so many were absent, we had extra school supplies. With the help of Miss Norma, a first grade teacher, we decided to give the rest to two sections in the second grade and a section in the third grade. Kids were all smiles when they got their pencils and crayons. I also gave some postcards of San Francisco, California to children who could answer the simple math questions I posed. It was heartwarming to hear them say "thank you". There were some kids who said "you're welcome" instead of thank you or one who said "very good" after he heard me say those same words. All in all a very satisfying experience which I hope to continue in the future. Many thanks to my mom, my sister, Diane A, Terry Smith and Bock Loo for helping me out.

At the Conrado Barrios Memorial School, the principal informed me that they had to temporarily stop the feeding program. 90 children were affected by this decision but as there were no funds forthcoming, the principal had no choice but to end the feeding program for now. Hopefully donors will come forward soon. Children are better able to learn on a full stomach.

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Photo by Rosario Charie Albar