2018 VIDES Mission Camp in Palawan

In response to the call of Pope Francis to go the peripheries, VIDES Pinoy went to Macarascas, Puerto Princesa City to bring the message of God's love and serve the underpriviledged.   We are pleased to have served more than 450 people from the marginalized communities of Palawan last August 25, 2018.

After the celebration of Holy Mass, a short program was held where the 58 VIDES volunteers welcomed the kids with a lively dance number.

Simultaneous activities were conducted right after. We opened the medical services booth which was able to serve more than 100 patients. The VIDES Salon, which offered free haircutting and other services, served more than 50 clients.

For our livelihood program, we turned over 10 goats and 10 piglets to 20 families to provide them with income-generating opportunities. In our Gawa ni Inay Booth, we trained 30 mothers on bag embroidery and design.

For the young ones, we conducted the Treasure Hunt to Holiness. We grouped the kids for the Workshops on Responding to the Call to Holiness and Childrens' Rights & Child Protection. After the engaging discussions and sharing simple snacks, we conducted the Ugnayan Activity, where the kids expressed their commitments on how to live a life of holiness and promote children's rights.

After bonding with the kids over lunch, the volunteers ushered the children to the VIDES Perya. The kids had a blast going through each of the booths which taught them about children's rights in a fun and interactive way. They posed for photo ops, showcased their talents, played games, learned about how to protect themselves during disasters, and expressed themselves through the Freedom Wall.

Before ending the day, a short program where the awarding of winners for the art contest and bag design workshop was held. The kid-beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to VIDES.

The gift-giving for more than 300 kids and more than 50 mothers was the last activity. The beneficiaries went home with big smiles on their faces.

Thanks so much for supporting the VIDES Mission Camp in Palawan!

Support the Palawan Mission Camp

This August 24 to 27, 2018, VIDES Philippines will be in Palawan for its Annual Mission Camp.

Help us bring basic health services, children's rights education, grooming services, livelihood opportunities, and God's good news to at least 300 kids and 50 mothers from Brgy Macarascas, Puerto Princesa City.

You may donate as little as P50.00 for the procurement of rice, canned goods, noodles, medicines, and other groceries for the beneficiaries. 

Donate. Share your blessings. Touch lives. Be one for others.

For more information, please contact the VIDES Philippines Volunteers Foundation Inc.'s office at (632)7156740.  You may also contact Ms. Amy Suzara at  +639159094723.   You may also send donations through the VIDES Paypal account.  

#VIDESPinoy #OneforOthers #PalawanMissionCamp

Paskong VIDES 2017 @ Mabalacat, Pampanga

December 2, 2017 made history for VIDES Philippines as the most number of volunteers joined the annual Christmas celebration with the aetas and other underprivileged children.  A total of 137 volunteers traveled to Sitio Monicayo, Mabalacat, Pampanga for the conduct of simultaneous activities such as provision of basic medical services, children's rights education, fun games, grooming services, and distribution of gifts.   

Once again, we wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the donors who supported this noteworthy undertaking. We also wish to thank Sr. Irene Mangabat FMA and the Mary Help of Christians Mabalacat community, for welcoming us and for filling our stomachs our delicious food.  Much gratitude of course goes to Sr Mabel Pilar FMA and Sr Jojo Carrasco FMA for always supporting our endeavors.  

The early Christmas celebration with the aeta community in Pampanga started in 2008.  In keeping with the organization's motto of being one for others, the volunteers decided to forego the usual yuletide celebration and deemed it more important to go the peripheries to share the joys of the blessed season.

Volunteers' Corner: Atty Juan Karlo Silva

Atty Juan Karlo Silva, a lawyer from the non-governmental organization Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN), joined the  the Mission Camp held in Minglanilla, Cebu from August 19-21, 2017.  Together with fellow lawyers from SALIGAN, he facilitated learning sessions for VIDES volunteers and for the mothers from the locality on Positive Discipline. 

Read Atty. Karlo's reflections on his participation in the VIDES Mission Camp below:

Q:  In what way has the Mission Camp touched you as a person or volunteer?

A: The mission camp was filled with good intentions and everyone is in the spirit of compassion for others. Being part of such an activity made me feel warmhearted. It is a joyful and satisfying experience to extend a helping hand to those who are in dire need of understanding,compassion, and relief. It is definitely an a priceless experience and I hope everyone would have the opportunity to be part of this kind of activity. Lastly, the world is much better knowing that there is an organization doing this.

Q:  Have you encountered Jesus in the Mission Camp? Please share your experience.

A: As a Catholic, I believe in Jesus Christ and his teachings. Being part of this activity is one of the ways of following Jesus’ foot steps. Following Jesus Christ uplifts your spirit. It gives you a heavenly happy feeling like no other. Having felt that way tells me that Jesus is leading us to heaven.

      Q: How do you think  the service you rendered for the VIDES Mission Camp will affect you as a person? 

A: Each time we do something good for others, something good also happens to us. But of course, we should first learn to look back and reflect on the things we have experienced. We should learn to appreciate the consequences of our actions in pursuit of God’s heavenly promise. Thereafter, we will realize God’s presence and promise.

     
      Q: Do you think the volunteering activities that you experienced today will inspire you to help others in your own little way?

      A: Yes. We all have our own crosses to carry. It may vary in weight and length because we all have unique circumstances. With this is mind, I do not expect everyone nor anyone to give more than what he/she has. Hence, however little, volunteering to help someone is already a step closer to heaven

     Q: Which part of the mission camp struck you the most and why?

     A: The part where the volunteers reach out to a vast number of persons, young and old, women, men, and children.

    Q: Have your expectations been met?

     A: Knowing where you are going is half the battle. With the proper mindset, expectations will be met. I joined and went to the activity not for personal comfort, but to share what we can to those who have less.

Volunteers' Corner: Atty Arfine Ingusan

Atty Arfine Ingusan, a lawyer from the non-governmental organization Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN), gave the following reflections on her participation in the Mission Camp held in Minglanilla, Cebu from August 19-21, 2017:

Q:  In what way has the Mission Camp touched you as a person or volunteer?

A: The mission helped strengthen the spirit of  being “one for others”. Even the simple act of sharing the time, resources, wisdom and talent GOD has given us seemed to have created a ripple of positive effect to those whom we have encountered. On the other hand, this opportunity to be of service to others have let us feel some sense of life’s purpose.

Q:  Have you encountered Jesus in the Mission Camp? Please share your experience.

A: Yes. HE had been there all throughout the mission camp from the time I left home to attend the mission camp, to some sidetrips, to the divine providence of letting me be able to develop the module presentation given a very limited time, to actual facilitation of the training of trainors, to a last minute assignment to facilitate the children’s session, to my airplane ride back home. HE had been with me all the time.

Q: How do you think  the service you rendered for the VIDES Mission Camp will affect you as a person? 

A: I believe that every human has a seed of kindness. Through this given opportunity to be of service to others, that seed could be nurtured. I felt privileged to be part of this noble mission. Not everyone is given the same opportunity to let their seed of kindness grow through this kind of experience.

Q: Which part of the mission camp struck you the most and why?

      A: The enthusiastic participation of all.  There is something about the enthusiasm, positive energy and the love we put in what we do that for me is magical and priceless. Pure bliss.