Kiwanis caring for indigent children
Credit to Author: Grace Bondad Nicolas| Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2019 16:19:29 +0000
THERE are five women under the Kiwanis International Club in the Philippines who formed “KKK,” or Kind-hearted Kiwanians for the Kids. Their objective is to help and alleviate the condition of indigent kids in the country through projects like feeding programs, gift-giving events, medical checkups and counselling sessions.
Lorna Ballesteros (Malate West), Ezelle Gascon (Manila Bay), Carrie Manlangit (Malate Central), Grace Bondad Nicolas (Makati) and Glenda Hufano (Pasay) are the current and former presidents of different clubs of Kiwanis International, a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children, one community at a time.
Founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1915, the organization now has more than 600,000 members — from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis — and many ages in between in more than 80 countries. Each community has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy and offering guidance. Kiwanis clubs host nearly 150,000 service projects each year.
For its former leaders in the Philippines, it takes a lot of commitment and dedication to be a Kiwanis member.
“Being the president of Kiwanis Club or any organization is not easy. You need to lead. You need to show that you’re capable and you have the means to share, give and must walk the talk. Members can see that, and then they will follow you. Most of the time, if the club doesn’t have budget and there are orphanages that we need to help, the leader must initiate something to make,” Hufano said.
“Being passionate is the key. We’re not paid to do this, but we like to spend more and invest our time to reach these children and to feed them. Those members who are just there to network, they’re gone now. Those who are really with their heart in serving these children are only the ones who are still with us,” Gascon said.
These five women, ranging from 43 to 62 years old, belong to different industries: One is a custom broker, another an entrepreneur, the third a bank manager, the fourth an insurance manager; and the last a retired senior citizen. Despite their age and professional differences, they all managed to get along just fine with the same, strong passion in service of the children.
In between juggling their work and social responsibilities, these ladies are also active in different organizations, like the Makati Tourism Foundation Inc., the American Association of the Philippines, Go Negosyo and Peoples Management Association of the Philippines.
“We are from different cities in Metro Manila and yet we still find the time to get together and discuss our projects for the children. We believe that we’re blessed and that we like to share the blessings to these kids. Also, we believe that it’s easy to share, you just need to have the heart and the will to do it,” Manlangit said.
“For this December alone, we launched more than 15 projects in different parts of the country like in Clark, Subic, Pasig, Cavite, Tagaytay and Metro Manila. We will reach the indigent children who need our help, wherever they are,” Ballesteros said.
For her part, Nicolas shared more projects by their group. “Just recently, we turned over the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission Komiks for the children to read. We believe also in education and information dissemination. We know that to be concerned, one must be aware first in what’s happening. We will continue this advocacy and we are thankful to our partners for the support. In giving also, we received more.”
To join the Kiwanis International Club in the Philippines or to send donations, call or text 0977-8978877 or (632) 219-3503.
The post Kiwanis caring for indigent children appeared first on The Manila Times Online.