Gong Xi Fa Cai! I know most of you are probably lounged
somewhere trying to enjoy the remaining hours of the long weekend. I
particularly didn’t go anywhere, but my heart is content and fulfilled—much
like that feeling you get after experiencing a new culture, a new place, a new
set of people. And no, for the first time, it wasn’t a vacation.
Last Saturday, I had the chance to attend my first ever
Outreach activity. I never join Outreach programs because they mostly happen on
weekdays and God knows how much I love my weekends. A part of me also feels that
I actually need help myself--especially emotionally, duh? I always tell myself
I won’t be of help since I haven’t even begun to help myself. But over the
weekend, by some twist of fate, I attended a voluntary Outreach activity. The boyfriend’s sister was celebrating her birthday, and as
a part of giving back, she decided to host an Outreach activity for Bahay San
Jose—a project of The House With No Steps Foundation Inc. Bahay San Jose is an
institution that caters to the care of differently-abled individuals,
specifically those with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and Autism.
While everyone else on my Facebook feed was checking in on
airports and terminals preparing for their long weekend, we were busy too. We
were busy preparing food for the residents and care givers of Bahay San Jose.
In the afternoon, we brought them lunch, desserts and other items for personal
hygiene. We also hosted a film viewing event for them, which if I may say, they
enjoyed.
While watching on the movie, I was reflecting on the multiplicity
of emotions I started to feel when I walked into a place. I am an emotional person;
I think we’ve established that. A part of me felt that one of the real reasons I don’t like going to Outreach programs/activities is because it shows how
vulnerable you are as a person. Upon walking in and seeing the patients, all I
wanted to do was cry. But since I was surrounded by my boyfriend, his brothers
and sister and the caregivers, I wasted all my energy trying not to. Remember
what I said about not being able to help because I needed help myself? I wanted
to be swallowed by the ground, because how could I ever think of that?
There’s this person who couldn’t lift his finger when we
gave him his gift. We had to manually wrap his arms around the gift so he could
hold it into place. There was another person who was utterly delighted to see
us, but he wasn’t able to verbalize it. He kept making sounds and kept trying
to smile; at least that’s what the caregiver told us. My heart was being torn
into pieces as I walked further and got introduced to the individuals they take
care of at Bahay San Jose. The care giver told us that they’re thankful that
they get donations every now and then but it is still not enough. The older
patients require expensive medicines, something the facility cannot
afford.
They also mentioned that sometimes they rack up hospitals bills
they couldn’t afford to pay, but with the help of kind-hearted doctors, they’re
given a pass. But again, it’s not always the case. It’s heartbreaking seeing
that the kind of government that we have doesn’t have enough programs to take
care of these individuals. It’s sad that they have to rely on good faith and
help from other people just to get by. But looking on the bright side, it’s a
relief knowing that this country doesn’t run out of people who are always
willing to help despite not having enough for them.
I am not a good person, which I know for a fact. After the
Outreach, I can’t say I will be good one. All I can promise is that I’ll try to
help as much as I can. I may not have much, but I know it’s more than enough to
help those who need it more than I do. I
hope you guys can find it in your hearts to help out, with whatever you can.
For donations and visits, you can contact Mommy Ludy at +639175022529. You can
also find a list of their needs at their Facebook page.
*Bahay San Jose doesn’t allow visitors to post photos of the
individuals they take care of hence the blurry photos. I’m not trying to be
narcissistic, silly!
Ochi is a twenty-something Corporate Trainer who loves to cook, take photos and videos of her food, eat and travel. On weekends, she's either drunk or snuggling in bed watching her favorite crime drama. 
