In 2015, Light and Love Home continued to expand its work in the Philippines. In Paniqui, Tarlac, we rented another place, which is right across from an elementary school and a high school. That allowed us to readily contact students and organize fellowship and various activities for them. Besides the official services, our volunteers offered treats to students out of their own pocket.
Light and Love Home also extended to Caloocan, where the community has great need in both basic necessities and spirit. We are organizing more suitable programs for them and we station coworkers in this district to develop its charity services and church ministry.
Tarlac:
Home Visits
Light and Love volunteers paid visits to some local residents and found out that their houses were simply made out of bricks, straw mats and metal sheets. These houses become very hot and stuffy after the sun heats up the metal sheets on the housetop. In one of the houses, there are two rooms in which live four families, 16 people in total. Their living condition is very poor, and sometimes they are not certain if they will have food for dinner.
Interest Class
Three days in a row, Light and Love volunteers taught handcraft such as origami and drawing in Ventenilla Primary School. We also played games with them, and our laughter attracted some lower grades students to join us. Afterwards, we invited them to our centre across from their school to have some activities after lunchtime. Each time there were 10 to 20 students.
Caloocan:
For the first time, Light and Love team visited Caloocan to understand the situation and the needs of the community, aiming to provide for them care and support.
Ukulele Class
Light and Love volunteers took the active role to contact NHC High School and to conduct ukulele class on campus. About 30 students and teachers took heart to learn with joy. They were fast learners! In only two sessions they had learned London Bridge is Falling Down and the Happy Birthday Song. They could also play together.
Contact with residents
Light and Love volunteers contacted different communities including elementary and high school students and housewives to understand their situation. Most of the high school students were not given post-secondary education due to poverty. Some of them had excellent academic performances but had to miss out the opportunity.
In slum areas people built some shacks as their home on the land that belonged to the government. Their living condition was adverse. We are considering some ways to assist these needy people.
Food giving
On October 11, Light and Love volunteers, along with 8 local high school student volunteers, launched a food giving service for about 60 children. They were not only fed but also felt the care from us.