Community Service

Every year our office (200+ employees!) organizes an event for our Leadership Day. This year we played sports with Philippine Special Olympians in the morning and did service projects in the afternoon. I signed up for bocce ball as it seemed to require the least skill, and mind you, we were playing outside in direct sunlight. My Philippine counterparts were AMAZING at bocce ball. One girl got her ball within inches of the target ball every time. I wasn't quite as good.

After lunch we split up and my group headed to a home that feeds and educates street children. I was shocked when I realized it was about a 1/4 mile from my house. The kids weren't around so we painted most of the walls white and helped organize the library.

Before

After

I see shocking poverty every day on my way to and from work, and this was a good reminder that anyone can do a lot to help in just a couple hours. 

Sewing Their Way Out of Poverty

The Shark and I, together with some colleagues, wrote a grant to purchase sewing machines and other supplies for a women's group living about 2 hours south of Manila. The families were relocated to this neighborhood after a development project forced them to move from their previous homes. The group had a couple sewing machines that they used to make school uniforms and other items, but it wasn't enough for all the women. Our grant added 8 new machines, an edger, and some other sewing supplies that the group plans to use to make various goods to sell. The mayor graciously assisted in having the building renovated to include electricity. One woman was so excited that she wouldn't have to use the old-school foot pedal machines anymore! It was a good reminder for us to get out of our expat bubble, get out in the community, and do some good.

Taking marching band very seriously.

Ready for the ribbon cutting.

Fancy-schmancy.

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