Shared Happiness with the Batang Mekong

Shared Happiness with the Batang Mekong

By: Erika Danielle G. Olan

There is more happiness in giving than in receiving. Cliché, I know, but there is a whole lot of truth to it.

Last November 20, 2009, the CLC classroom officers together with some teachers and the members of the Student Council visited Inayawan to hold an outreach program to the children of the Batang Mekong.

This special project, formally known as “ENFANTS DU MEKONG” is a non-government organization, started by Sr. Helene Alic, that provides children of scavengers near the Inayawan Dump Site proper education, better nutrition and health support.

We had games, prizes, presentations, food and a whole lot of fun. It was surprising to the Batang Mekong children when Jollibee came to entertain all of them.

Seeing the faces of those Mekong kids as we handed out the prizes and food we prepared for them really made me humbled and appreciative of what I have and what we are all blessed with. It gave me an entirely different meaning of the word “CHARITY”.

A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog. Charity sees the need, not the cause. It is a virtue of the heart, and not of the hands.

I see the necessity for Linkers to do this kind of outreach more often. Not only does it make us recognize how blessed we are but it also spreads joy to those in need.