7th National Children’s Day
April 25, 2012 marked a significant event during the celebration of National Children’s Day. Thousands of destitute children were given a birthday bash in Davao City alone. Where the exclusive compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ the Name Above every Name was opened and became the showground for festivity. Free rides, foods, juices, candies, popcorns and many more was prepared and the parade of characters makes the celebration out –of –this –world- experience to all the kids.
Selected areas around the country were given at the same time the chance to be involved in the annual celebration. In the Dumpsite area #4 Barangay, Pinalagad, Valenzuela City, where squatter- grounded community experienced the explosive mash of surprises, particularly to all the less-fortunate children. Different type of giveaways was given away to the children such as clothes, toys and goodies, in inclusion; limitless supplies of delicious food leave all the children full.
Victims of Typhoon Sendong (Typhoon Washi, international name) in Iligan City was given a day-break, after the hurtful experience they had undergone, under the natural calamity, “Bagyong Sendong” that took thousands of lives. Profoundly in the heart of the evacuation center, CJFI volunteers transformed the hall into a friendly atmosphere; a banquet was organized too, the excitement of all the games make all the children to forget even just a day on everything they had go through, likewise, the parents who attended their children brought home bags of relief- goods.
The celebration never stopped there, the CJFI volunteers reached- out the earthquake victims in the Visayas Island specifically in Barangay, Planas, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. The site is a mirror of how powerful the earthquake that hits the city was. All the infrastructures like buildings that showcase the progressive city and the bridges that connect places were crushed into pieces. Moreover, after the earthquake, a horrific landslide followed that covered up the whole barangay and every living creature in it was buried alive without mercy.
Without other words, the CJFI volunteers go directly to the evacuation site, in every child’s eyes you can see that they are sacred on the situation that they bare. For this time, the annual celebration is first time to be observed in Barangay, Planas; all the children have no idea of what was going to happen. The volunteers gathered all the children and their parents to start the NCD’s program. When the proper program begun, tears of joys started to flow from every survivor’s eyes, it was then that they realized that April 25 is their adopted birthday.
Many of them thanked Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, the founding president and major sponsor of the Children’s Joy Foundation Incorporated for choosing their place to be the NCD’s venue for this year. Likewise the CJFI volunteers provided sacks of relief good to the earthquake victims. The municipal Mayor of Guihulngan expressed his gratitude to Pastor Apollo for extending his resources and help to all of his constituents even just a day but for them it is a very big help. Everyone went home thankful and satisfied.
On the other hand, the cultural minorities are in the NCD’s checklist, Arayan group of people of Sitio Aringoy, Barangay Calatagan, San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro celebrated its first birthday. Sitio Aringoy is one of the many sitios around the archipelago who are suffering from lack of education, malnourishment and poor sanitation. Arayan kids usually go to school without even taking their breakfast; during recess time they will just go out-side to play in order for them not to feel that they are hungry.
These cases put all the teachers in the area into a difficult situation, simply for the reason that the pupils are slow learners because of lack nourishment s and lack of support from their parents being a minority group .The Arayan kids lack study habits at home.
Together with the helping team who have crossed the high hills-mountains just to arrive at the said location. There; the small school building became the function area. All Sitio Aringoy flocks at the venue with eyes of excitement and curiosity. In an up-land they never knew what urban really is, seeing such mascots and eating spaghetti is very unfamiliar to them.
Trucks of school supplies were delivered and the special sweet treat is always on line. The first ever, the Arayan parents who never knew their even their birthdates also enjoyed the gathering of the celebration. The teachers was very happy seeing their pupils having fun , in contrary, the tattered Philippine flag was replace with a new one as one of their requests and indeed it was granted.
In the foothill of Mt. Apo where Barangay Tamayong is situated and the birthplace of Pastor Apollo was also treated. The mini Sonshine was came into reality, through the help of the delegates of 12th international youth congress secured that will be enough supplies of foods. Parade of characters was also brought –up similarly with the Sonshine Across
the land. Even the neighboring barangays also joined and enjoyed the freebies and treats. With the Elephant ride and Pelican ride makes the celebration complete.
Through Pastor Apollo’s commitments of uplifting the state of every children, the Children’s Joy Foundation Incorporated continue to tail of its objectives and goal to be the channel of help to everyone who are in need particularly to the assets of our country who are our children.