Communities helping communities

The Philippines is known to celebrate a long Christmas season annually. Local companies even include in their business calendars a portion for Christmas break every December. Christmas is a time to remember the birth of Christ and to share values of love. Love is expressed in many ways through quality time, acts of service, words of appreciation, and material gifts that usually are accompanied with symbols and meanings. For many communities, extra resources they have are also imparted to benefit lesser privileged communities during this season.

In 2014, a group of friends wanted to reach out and share a little of what they have through Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista at iba Pang Lugar which formed the now called "Mahal" Project. "Mahal" is a Filipino word which means love. During that year, the group has also been conducting a travel walk program called the Lakbay Lakaran as a campaign to raise awareness about cultural heritage. Funds raised were allocated for the Mahal Project that benefits a partner community to get to know their cultural heritage.

Here are tips about the Mahal Project.

Communities helping communities

For every earning from the campaign activities, selected communities get the chance to experience a similar cultural awareness program accompanied by enthusiastic volunteers as a shared memory of giving and exchanges.

It is a chance to share awareness to others and give love about our surroundings, and cultural heritage.

Mahal Project

Selected partner communities are accompanied for half a day to visit national landmarks and learn about local and traditional cuisine, with a take-home souvenir of gifts from sponsors and partner communities advocating and supporting a similar cause.

1. Planning

For every activity it is beneficial and convenient to all to plan ahead and confirm the details before proceeding.

1.1. Partner communities

Choose a partner community that are less privileged what your group has, in this case, the group has been blessed through travel walks and imparted similar values. This can be scholars or students with lesser resources, or selected poor families recommended by your local barangay. 15 people is good to fit one jeepney.

1.2. Program or Itinerary

Decide on a date and time where everyone can participate. This can be a half-day activity in less than four (4) hours. Start with the area where the partner communities are familiar and find places to visit and eat within two (2) kilometers radius. The starting point can be the school for student communities or the barangay hall for government-recommended families.

1.3. Gifts of Love

An extra can be having souvenirs to take-home on travels. This experience and memory can be shared through gifts. Since the occasion usually falls near the Christmas season, gifts can be Noche Buena packages for families, or school stationery set with writing or study materials for students, if not groceries or souvenirs from the places visited. If resources allow, this extra can be possible by raising funds or seeking partners interested to participate through material donations. Depending on the packages, a good Noche Buena or stationery set can cost Php 200 - Php 600. Noche Buena means good night, and a dinner is celebrated with the gathering of families during Christmas Eve or the night before Christmas Day. One way to manage and allocate goods is to count by set, for instance, one set costs a certain amount and plan the event depending on the gathered set.

2. Being there with Volunteer Buddies

Support the organizer by being there once you confirm attendance and follow along the program and itinerary. Greet with a smile and enjoy the occasion. Maybe you have not visited the place or you wanted to visit the place again with another party.

3. Documentation

Keep memories documented with photos and a short description (150-300 words) of the activity. Groups can invite friends who like to take photos or write a newsletter to be shared to the partner community. Some people who like to blog can be invited. The photo can be at least a group photo of all participants. For privacy concerns, be sure to ask the consent of the parties before sharing the photos especially if your relationship is not yet close enough.

Here is a rough sample:

A group of five (5) friends made a poster to raise funds for the Mahal project to benefit five (5) selected families recommended by the local barangay. The poster indicates: Mahal project on November 30, 2022 (a local holiday) from 9AM to 1PM to visit the Luneta Park, National Museum, and eat at a local panciteria. The group is to raise Php 600 per NOche Buena Package for five (5) families, for a total of Php Php 3,000. Meals and transportation for 10 participants cost around Php 2,500. Friends donated the amount, provided added gifts, and transportation to lessen expenses. The day was enjoyed by all and the photo with description was framed and hung in the office of the barangay hall. Everyone was invited to visit the barangay hall occasionally.

Did you like this feature article? Send your comments and suggestions by emailing to kapitbahayansakalyebautista@gmail.com. This article falls under the private, public, and community partnership section.