Dana Foundation Team in Action

September 11, 2008

I had a fun day today coz finally I was able to join the Dana foundation team in action! This was unplanned actually. Tired of driving alone due to last night's activity (we attended another wake in Mandug), I hitched with the group on their way to Sto. Tomas. They dropped me off at Pantaron coz I will be observing the extension program conducted by FSIA which is related to my next project with the company. But since the program ended earlier than expected, I had no choice but to go with the team to Semong Kapalong because that's my only ride home. But boy, I really was glad I did.

Together with sir John, Dale and Francis, we painted the water reservoir of AMSEFFPCO in Semong, the first of its kind in Davao del Norte. The reservoir is a big pot with a capacity of 5,000 liters good for 40 households. This was created as a joint project of the cooperative and Dana foundation. According to sir John, when they created the pot, other officials of the nearby barangays, local government officials and representatives of government agencies, were present to witness and observe it's making. Of course, Riza Calma, the coop manager was very proud of this.

Since I was unprepared, Francis was kind enough to lend his new shirt to me so that I can paint. I was happy coz this will be my first time to do such. We started at around 1:30PM and ended at around 3:30PM. Each one did their part, including officials and members of the coop. Never mind if our fingers had paint in it or if my shirt had paints, the end result of a half-green, half-yellow pot, was all worth it. The different sense of fulfillment and happiness led us to discuss other projects of the foundation. And I immediately told sir John that if I have time, I will definetly go with them.

The voluntary work that I did gave me a different kind of high and happiness. I was so overwhelmed that I was seriously thinking of doing this full-time, that is, if my resources permit. As of the moment, I will just grab whatever chances I have to help other people. It's just returning a favor from God when He blessed me with so many things!