VIDES Goes to Bicol: Sagñay Mission Camp

VIDES Pinoy volunteers once again trooped to Bicol Province to bring the message of God's love to underprivileged kids and women. 

Two hundred (200) pupils of Sagñay Central School, Camarines Sur and 100 mothers who are under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps Program) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were the chosen recipients of the outreach activity held last November 24, 2013. 

The special day, which fell on Feast of Christ the King, started with a Eucharistic Celebration officiated by Fr. Gilber Briguera.  In his homily, the priest underscored the importance of letting God reign in our lives.  He also acknowledged the generosity and selflessness exemplified by VIDES volunteers and enjoined the children to follow their example.

Snacks were distributed and a short meet and greet the volunteers and donors session was held after the mass.  Opening of simultaneous activities such as haircutting, medical mission, life journey session with mothers, and catechism session followed. 

Members of Junior VIDES - Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) Attend Formation Session

As part of its advocacy to promote volunteerism among the youth, VIDES Philippines conducts regular formation activities for students and young volunteers.

Last November 6, 2013, members of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) - Junior VIDES attended a formation session that centered on family and their spiritual formation. 

The session, which was facilitated by VIDES Board of Trustees member Reccie Oliveros and VIDES volunteer Amy Suzara, aimed to enable the students to reflect about how they feel towards their families, recognize how their families have contributed to the persons they are today, and pray for each one and each others' family.  

Student were asked to draw symbolic trees while keeping in mind the following: the type of tree represents their respective families; the colors of the tree represent their feelings about their families; the ground beneath the tree represents their spiritual formation; and the background represents their dominant memories of their families. 

It is said that "The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life."  Through the said formation session, the students learned the importance of respect, love, support, and acceptance in nurturing the harmonious relationship in their respective families. 

Call for Solidarity: Let's Help the Victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda

Urgent appeal for solidarity: 

The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the Philippines, in coordination with DBS Manila - Don Bosco School (Salesian Sisters), Inc. and VIDES Philippines Volunteer Foundation Inc. are organizing relief operations for our brothers and sisters in the Visayas Region. 

Kindly send your donations in kind to: Don Bosco School (Salesian Sisters) - 3500 V. Mapa Ext., Sta. Mesa, Manila 1016 Philippines. 

Thank you very much! May God bless you all!

Annual Encounter with Sr Sarah

Last Thursday's heavy rains and floods, brought about by tropical storm Santi, did not deter the VIDES volunteers from going to Don Bosco School Sta. Mesa to be a part of the annual encounter with Sr Sarah B. Garcia FMA.  As always, the volunteers were very much eager to hear what the Provincial Superior of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians has to say.  

Sr Sarah started her message by congratulating all the volunteers for all the good they do in transforming the lives of children.  She acknowledged the contribution of the volunteers in shaping the loves of children through education.  

Here is Sr. Sarah's inspiring message to the volunteers:

"Continue walking with Christ, which means contemplating the love story between God and you. It is awesome to live and walk with Christ as we journey daily with Him. 

A young boy asked Pope Francis how to believe and search to be faithful. The Pope answered, 'Walking is an art; if we are always in a hurry we might not be able to reach our destination'. 

Walking is the art of looking to the horizon; thinking about where I want to go, and coping with the weariness that comes from walking. Moreover, the way is often hard-going and it is not easy. I want to be faithful to this journey, but it is not easy. 

Listen, there is darkness. There are days of darkness, days of failure, and some days of falling. Someone falls, and falls. Sometimes we feel weak, we can’t move on; there is darkness… yet, always keep this in mind: Do not be afraid of failure. Do not be afraid of falling. 

In the art of walking, it is not falling that matters. Get up immediately, and continue to go on and this is beautiful. This is how we ought to walk every day. 

It is terrible to walk alone, terrible and tedious. Walking in community, with friends, with those who love us… this helps us to arrive precisely at the destination where we must arrive. 

Christ is our greatest friend who is faithful and true. 

We go through different transitions in life, midlife… late adulthood. People change… sometimes we get tired.. WE ARE LOOKING FOR RENEWED MEANING IN OUR LIFE. Times are moving forward… we experience changes.. These transitions are normal; they are a call for us to discover ourselves better. 

We, who give ourselves to others, we expand our hearts, we transcend ourselves, especially when we encounter the poor. Even if we are in deep pain, we still understand why we move on. We have discovered that 'more' in life… and if we continue to search, we will discover the 'more' beyond that more."

VIDES Partners with CWC for the National Children's Month Celebration

VIDES Philippines, in partnership with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), organized a special children's festival in celebration of this year's National Children's Month at the Don Bosco School Sta. Mesa last Saturday, 05 October 2013.

The 160 children from the five areas of the Busina Mo, Dunong Ko (BMDK) Mobile Literacy Program were joined by VIDES volunteers, officials and staff of the CWC, and delegates from other government agencies, NGOs, schools, and other faith-based organizations.   

The children actively participated in the cheerdance competition, poster making contest, quiz bee, and essay writing contest on children's rights.