Ambit Christmas Outreach 2016

Days till the night before our scheduled trip to the mountains, the heavy downpour was a bit of a discouragement. The rain will surely cause us a lot of inconvenience and difficulty. The roads will be slippery and almost impassable, our gifts for the people like clothes packed in sacks will get soiled, camping at the forest will be extremely cold, to name a few. Thanks to our prayer warriors, there was no trace of rain the following morning which greatly affirmed our group as we started our journey. 

A lot of obstacles greeted us along the way. I cannot name them here one by one but you could just imagine the delays, truck breaking down and getting stuck in the mud, one volunteer getting a minor accident from riding a motorcycle, flat tire. One volunteer is now in danger of losing her job as we weren’t able to go home to Bacolod as scheduled. While walking for more than an hour (truck broke down as mentioned) I came to a point where I was asking myself, “What am I doing exhausting myself and risking the safety of the volunteers?” We could all be just at home cozy and enjoying our weekend. 

But it was all nothing compared to the joy that we shared with the people in Sitio Soso, especially the children, the improvement in their behavior, the way they relate to us. They used to be very meek, shy and withdrawn. Now we can hear their laughter, no more coaxing, no more crying, no more hesitation. They welcomed us again to their place like we’re old friends. That’s more than enough to wipe away our tiredness and exhaustion. That’s more than enough push for us to go on and keep doing what we’re doing. This is Jesus’ mission and we’re privileged to take part in it. HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Our heartfelt gratitude to all those contributed to make this project a great success, once again. 

Affirmations

Ambit is very happy to meet Jen, our newest volunteer and benefactor. Our meeting today was indeed a great affirmation that "all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord". Welcome to the family Jen! Looking forward to an enriching journey ahead with you.

Almost Ready!

20 sacks of old clothes and 10 water gallons!  thank very much Red Cross and thank you to our hard working and dedicated Ambit volunteers Resty and Jomai. Ready na ta for our December trip to Sitio So-So!

Christmas is just around the corner!

The tradition of sharing during Christmas Season is something that Ambit believes should be experienced by everybody. Some people, some religion, do not entirely believe in Christmas. There are those who believe that with or without Christmas, we can always go on with the giving and sharing.

But for most children, especially here in the Philippines, Christmas is something that they look forward to. If Ambit can allow these children to hope, to dream, and to be reaffirmed that some people out there think so fondly of them, why not? We want a better perspective of the world, and life, for these little ones, their families, their parents and everyone else in our adopted community. Only those who find their dream are able to help others rediscover their dreams, too.

Let us keep the ripple of kindness going. In this "ber" month, we start gathering used clothing, toys, shoes, bags, utensils, pots, Christmas decors, stuffed toys, anything that our people in Brgy. So-So would be so happy to receive from those who have more. If you have roof above your head, your have more. If you get up each morning to report for work or attend to your business, you have more. If you have nice, clean clothes to wear, you have more. If you eat three times a day and enjoy some snacks in between, you have more. If you can sit back and relax on your living room and watch your favorite TV show at night, you have more.

The stories of these children with whom we want to give "our more" are waiting to be told.

Happy birthday Eduard!

You inspire us with your dedication, creativity, energy and passion for whatever you do. Ambit is just so blessed to be given the chance to know you and rediscover our own strength, gifts and passion. Thank you for sharing your dream with us and for allowing us to be part of your life, too. Ambit journey looks more exciting with people like you on our side. May you be blessed every step of the way, as you reach your own dreams and goals that will surely benefit so many others around you!

Meet Jande, he wants to become a Teacher

I wrote this short story about Jande, summer of 2015 when I was still with my previous organization. During the time when I was trying to form a team of sponsors for him, that's also the time when some drastic change came about. I wasn't able to go back and see him as promised. A year after, I went back to Maatop for our notebook distribution, hoping I would see him. I did not. With a sinking heart I realized he wasn't around at all. Thankfully his lola was there and she approached me with tears in her eyes. "Mam nagamasakit si Toto Jande," she informed me. I remember he was also sick last summer when I first met him. I eagerly asked if I could go and see him, but she said I will have to climb two hills and a river to reach their house. She said Jande, who is an honor student, somewhat lost his eagerness for school the past year. His grades dropped and he would usually just sit by their window and say, "Will Mam Anne come back for me?" It tugged at my heart but I didn't want to cry this time. I wanted to remain calm and focused, I had to find ways to help him. I am not sure most of the time every time I promise help for these children, but I just promise them anyway. I guess in the heart of my heart, I know that there are others like me who are drawn to these kinds of stories. 

Will you help me help him? / Anne

THIS WAS MY STORY ABOUT HIM LAST YEAR: Jande, only 5 years old, lost his mother to an illness only last December. He never got to know his father. Long after the villagers went home after our activity, Jande lingered. I was busy packing up when I heard a faint voice from behind me calling out, "Mam, we're going home now. Thank you very much." When I turned to see who was the owner of the small voice, I saw a small boy with a curious pair of eyes that looked straight into mine, and through my soul. I spent many minutes talking to him and asking him what he wanted to be when he grows up. "I want to be a teacher." I said, "What subject would you like to teach?" he replied, very clear and decisive, "An English teacher." In a place like Maatop, people do not even know the word "dream". Not a single pupil answered me what they wanted to be when they grow up. Jande was different. He stood out, armed with a dream of becoming an English teacher someday, without a father, without a mother, without anything to hold on to for his future.

Let us be the ones for him to hold on to. Jande is giving us the chance to share part of ourselves and be blessed by the experience.

Ambit Turns One! (Friends of Niall O'Brien First Anniversary Celebration)

This is our kind of celebration. Simple, intimate, sincere. The heart of a volunteer comes a live when there is a small number of like-minded souls gathering in one small circle to strengthen the bond, evaluate ourselves, clarify and purify intentions, share plans and dreams, and most of all commit these plans to our author, God Almighty. We honor our donors, sponsors, supporters, who look to the same direction with us, Ambit volunteers, and trust us enough in this journey to making a difference. Let us hold hands in celebrating another year ahead, little by little, each tiny step is a goal closer to another. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY EVERYONE! 

We were so privileged to have with us Cesar Villanueva, our mentor and good professor at University of St La Salle during our MACRS days. He shared with us a few things on how we should go about the building of the organization, updated us with the present IP initiatives, and most of all encouraged us and assured us of his support for Ambit. Thank you very much Sir Cesar for your unconditional love for us and what we do. I am sure Fr Niall O'Brien is looking down on us smiling. 

We recalled our achievements for the past year, evaluated our performance, and planned for the year ahead. Yes, this is how we do it. Step by little step, year by year, breath after breath, we hold hands and face the challenge with joy in serving others. 

Gabriel, our youngest volunteer, shared his thoughts and experiences on how it is to be the youngest volunteer. Ambit gives emphasis on the participation of our young ones, because the earlier they start doing these things, the better they grow on wisdom, how they see the world and how they see themselves as part of changing this for the better. From Gabriel's story, Ambit hopes more and more children will be encouraged to take part. 

Ambit volunteers taking their Oath of Commitment to Gabriel and his generation. 

An Angel from the Other Side of the World

An anonymous donor, a Pinoy working abroad sent us this amount in support of our projects. She is more than happy to work hand in hand with Ambit in what we do for the less fortunate. What is inspiring about our donors is the fact that they are not very rich people. They too have to work very hard in order to provide for their families back home. We in Ambit feel so blessed, humbled and greatly encouraged in what we do. People like this anonymous donor keep us going. Salamat from from the bottom of our hearts. 

Expenses Report

TOTAL CASH DONATIONS RECEIVED AS OF MONTH OF MAY

EXPENSES OF NOTEBOOK DISTRIBUTION TO FOUR AREAS DONE IN THREE SEPARATE WEEKENDS

When Ma-atop Beckons

Last weekend marked the closing salvo of Ambit notebook distribution for this summer. It also proved to be the most challenging of all the weekends for us as it was already starting to rain. We were on our way to our resting place when I fell with the motorcycle I was riding on, along a very slippery, muddy part of the road leading up to the mountainous area in So-So. I fell only a few inches away from the side of a dangerous hill road. Covered in mud, extremely tired, hungry and thirsty, I thought to myself, “What am I doing risking my life.” In between moments of such present madness, faces of our children beneficiaries randomly flash in my mind and for this particular mission area, the children were barely smiling. It was in fact so very hard to make them smile. I wonder what could light up their faces. Apparently, not even the notebooks we were handing to them.

Being a graduate of Child Psychology, I somehow have an idea why children are the way that they are. But it’s way different when you actually get to hold them, see them and hear them … hear them. I didn’t have an actual conversation with any of them but I certainly I heard something from what their little eyes were trying to tell me. When I addressed them together with their parents, I said, “We Ambit volunteers, our own lives are not easy. Every day we too struggle to make ends meet, to survive, to fend for our families. But we are here because we want to help you find your dreams, the way that we did. We want to show you it’s possible.” Maybe it’s hope that I “heard” them say from their probing eyes. And I hang on to that. As long as they can learn how to hope, Ambit has the chance to keep going, too, yes even if it means going through the difficult, muddy, slippery road.