(Balikbiyan Project- 2008)
For the months of planning and some very heavy lifting, I can report back that the Annapolis Rotaract's 1st international program was a huge success! I would like to thank those who generously made donations and also thank those in Rotary/Rotaract who helped me make my dream a reality.
For the months of planning and some very heavy lifting, I can report back that the Annapolis Rotaract's 1st international program was a huge success! I would like to thank those who generously made donations and also thank those in Rotary/Rotaract who helped me make my dream a reality.
For those of you who are not familiar with Annapolis Rotaract or with the term "Balikbayan", let me explain. The Filipino term "Balikbayan" means simply to "return back home". It is customary in our culture, for a returning Filipino-Americans or "Fil-Am" to bring home gifts/donations to those we left behind. In past trips with my father, we would be lucky to fill just one box of donated clothes, canned meats and children toys/candy. With the help of my new Annapolis Rotaract Club, we were able to ship a total of 5 boxes! (And we didn't stop there) I had so many donations that it flooded into my personal luggage/carry-on, to the point where I only traveled with enough clothes for myself to last just a couple of days.
I hope you all enjoy the pictures and videos of that special day. I wish everyone could experience looking into the eyes of these children when I handed them just a simply toy or t-shirt. They were so appreciative and very happy because sadly in some parts of the Philippines, a second pair of shoes or even a toy is a luxury that many cannot afford. It is our wish as Rotactors to continue this international program in the future.
Thank you,
Keith Villones
Keith Villones
