Lawis Day Care

It's been a year since I visited Lawis Day Care Center in Roxas City. The last time I was here, the teacher had indicated they needed chalk and clay. One of the children's projects is shaping clay into various objects. But I didn't have any clay. I did have a pail of big colored chalk which was donated by Rosemary Driscoll. I gave this to the teacher along with color pencils and crayons.

Each of the three or four-year old kids received a notebook and pencil from Balay ni Charie. According to the teacher, the kids are learning to write their names. There are 2 sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon and around 40 kids come to the Center daily. I must remember to bring clay next time.

Balay ni Charie is now on its 7th year of "humanitarian" service to the Capiz community, thanks in large part to our generous donors.

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Image by Charie

Calaan Elementary School

Calaan Elementary School is about 3 kilometers from Panitan, Capiz. There are 82 students from Kindergarten to 5th Grade. There is no 6th grade. The kids probably have to go to another school if they wish to continue with their studies. The Principal is Mrs. Fe Delfin who welcomed us along with all the teachers at the school. The children from the 2nd grade were the best spelling bees and the kids in Kindergarten were the loudest in singing ABC and Twinkle, twinkle little star. It was a good morning at Calaan.

Many thanks to Celita Conlu and Jacque Conlu for lending me their car and driver so I could get to Panitan which is about 30 minutes from Roxas City.

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Images by Charie

School supplies

It's back to school in the U.S. in late August and for the last couple of weeks many stores have been holding sales on school supplies. One I couldn't resist was at Office Depot recently where they had 5¢ pencil pouches, 10¢ sharpeners, and 25¢ pack of 10 pencils. I was all excited to pick up a few hundred for the grade school children in Roxas City but when I got to the store, I could only buy three of each item as there is a limit on the number you can purchase on sale items. What a letdown! So I called my Mom to buy some supplies at the Office Depot near her office and I visited another store close to my house. I figured I have enough pencils to give to 6o kids. It's not nearly enough. Last year we gave school supplies to 234 children so we have a long ways to go. This will be our fourth year giving school supplies to children in Roxas City. I have to say it's one of the most satisfying experiences I've had, ever.

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Image by Charie

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.