PBO Outreach Program: Bahay ni Maria

PBO (Pinoy Bloggers Outreach) invited me to join on their second outreach program at Bahay ni Maria (House of Maria) located at St. Joseph Cardinal Village, Brgy. Sampiruhan, Calamba Laguna managed by Missionary of sisters of Lady Fatima. 

This is the first time that I visited an old age home of 21 neglected and abandoned women. The experience was awakening that for almost an hour I was just looking at them in the corner, trying to find reasons why they ended like this… abandoned by their families. I felt a knob on my heart. Tough they all said they were happy. I could help but think it was, because that was the best they have seen or they had no option left.

I found myself comparing everything I saw to what I was used to- No TV, lack of closets, sleeping in  a wooden bed and just a single armoire that must have held all their belongings, while most of us have both that is barely adequate storage for all of our clothes, having the slickest phone, iphone 5s or BBZ10, that many of us don’t need or use anymore and so many factors we all take for granted.

As I was making all of these comparisons in my head, I realized something even sadder, they don’t even wants all those things that we are so privileged to have, yet we don’t say THANK YOU often enough. The basics they need are what we do not even think about, like proper food and clothes. Their food is basic, they do not have much of a choice, I was especially thinking about us during lunch breaks and how we complain about eating the same food but for them they are just grateful for what they get.

Times, when I visited a rural area and I was looking around, and seeing the totally different lifestyles it reminded me to count my blessings. After visiting the old age home, I was reminded even more to be thankful for what I have.  I remember on how I complain a slow WiFi connection in a resto or hotel or poor service I’m getting from my mobile provider.

However, much more of all these materials and superficial things is LOVE and FAMILY. After visiting the old age home and seeing those who truly have no one left, except for GOD, who they worship devotedly, broke my heart. So we have to be thankful for the many people who love and care about us. 

A celebration of Life and death

            Remember to love your parents...We are so busy growing up, we often forget they are also growing old.....

     The most beautiful thing in this world is to see them smiling, and knowing that you're the reason behind that smile.

 

Lola Emeng! dancing to the tune of gangnam style...energetic ang lola mo! winner!

ito pa ayaw pa kabog ni Ate Inday! partner  pa sila ni sister Evelyn!

Joanne with Ate Arlene! perfect moment!

Sister Evelyn and  Sister Catherine missionary of sisters of Lady Fatima

The visit was hard emotionally and mentally.  It provided me with a new experience but with their huge, ear-to-ear smiles to us on how much they appreciated our visit so much and seemed entirely oblivious to how much they affected all of us with their stories and how indebted we were for the opportunity to sit down and speak with them. I personally was very affected by this novel experience and putting everything I felt into words was exceedingly difficult. 

From this valuable time we should cherish every moment while our parent or grandparents are still alive, young at heart. I truly hope that we can get the change to visit them again and do something more to make a little difference in their lives, like they did to us.

To the PBOers/ bloggers behind this project...thank you! for the heartwarming experience and to the other volunteers! God Bless us all!

"We share not because we have much but we know what it feels like to have nothing"

 “Volunteers are not paid-not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless”

                            

Life is Good!