Because WEAREMHAM: “Everywhere there’s an air of Christmas joy. No greater gift is there than love”…
“People making lists, buying special gifts, taking time to be kind to one and all”…
Rich and poor alike, these inspiring lines from a Christmas song have been sung by countless millions during the yuletide season. But for every MHAM student, it is more than inspiring, more than propelling. Christmas lists might be too long, but for them, the Shoe Box Project outshines the long lists.
Yes it is. The Shoe Box Project initiated by the MHAM CM Student Body and Student Council is an APMC-SN Service Project of the Year Award 2016. Led by the Student Council Officers, it was far more overwhelming when a thousand boxes for a thousand children highlighted and concluded the whole day event dubbed as “Pasko sa Kabukiran” in Barangay Calidngan Covered Court, Carcar City last November 30, 2016.
From MHAM to Calidngan, a thousand boxes for a thousand children…
While real joy lies in the act of giving without counting the cost, this APMC-SN Service Project of the Year Award was in cooperation and coordination with all MHAM students, from planning to packing and distributing at the very site where pre-schoolers and elementary school children favorably became the fortunate recipients for this year.
According to Student Council Gov. Datu Nur-Jun Salik, the very mission of the project is to reach those underprivileged children by assisting them in their school supplies and providing hygiene kits to reinforce their grooming.
Student Council Gov. Datu Nur-Jun Salik with some of this year’s grateful recipients
“At first, I was a bit worried because of the overwhelming number of participants. Nevertheless, we were able to distribute for more than a thousand boxes catering six Elementary Schools and one Daycare Center. On top of it, this project aims to make those children feel loved during the season of giving. By personally distributing our simple gifts, seeing each one of them on smile is quite ineffable and with this alone, I should say that the MHAM Shoebox Project was indeed heartwarming and fulfilling”, said Salik in an interview.
Started last December 2014, the Shoe Box Project was proposed by Dr. Jay Conrad Granados Labay with a vision to supply, help and assist the less fortunate children and seeing its noteworthy impact, it became an annual tradition which eventually turns into an abiding legacy. Dr. Ianne Jireh Ramos was the first SC Governor who continued this project when MHAM separated from the main campus. From then onwards, the Shoe Box Project has been continued and carried out by the Student Body led by the SC officers, and in the succeeding batches.
In addition, the Shoe Box Project was supposedly a literal shoe box from students containing school supplies in it but had been modified for uniformity into Christmas cards selling where the proceeds will be used to buy the supplies, thus, making it unified wrapped-gifts.
Because it’s Christmas…And because WEAREMAHM!
“The fund raising through Christmas cards is not only inside the campus but also to those who are willing to aid the program. Simple messages are written on the cards, collected and pasted them on every shoe box gift. This was again revised on the following year. Instead of school supplies only, hygiene kits were included”, he added.
MHAM CM Student Council Officers after the distribution of gifts…
On the other hand, MHAM CM College Secretary and Alumni Relations and Services/Community Extension Services Director, Ma. Yvonne Lanuza in an inreview said that this year’s Community Extension Projects including the “Pasko sa Kabukiran” are worth dedicating much more because it is the season of love and gift-giving.
Santa is here: Dr. Ma. Yvonne Lanuza with the Calidngan children…
“It was very fulfilling to see how the MHAM students who, for years put dedication for this gift-giving project during Christmas season which now becomes a tradition. This idea was initially started by the Pinoy M.D. scholars as prime movers by reaching out to the less fortunate children within the vicinity”, said Dr. Lanuza.
She also added that to date, this project has been modified into shoe boxes where MHAM students look forward each year not just to integrate the community but to witness and feel the true spirit of Christmas by means of sharing. “Generally, the greatest blessing of Christmas is the birth of Christ, with love and hope associated on it. Goodwill abounds during this season of hope and charity wherein our MHAM students continued this commitment which is now a legacy”, she concluded.
Aside from a total of 1,100 thousand shoe box wrapped-gifts, there were also twenty-five separate christmas gift packs intended for twenty-five selected families for noche buena through a raffle draw during the said event.
From MHAM to Calidngan: Reaping the joy of seeing a bright smile
Among the many lit-faces during the distribution of gifts were the orphaned Locsin siblings, a 10-year old Joy Locsin with her 6-year old younger sister Ellyza Marie who received special gifts from MHAM CM College Registrar Dr. Luditha Pe, bringing home their early Christmas presents beaming with joy and excitement.
Christmas is here: The Locsin siblings and their early Christmas gifts with Carcar City Councilor Rogelio Montesclaros, their grandmother, Dr. Ma. Yvonne Lanuza and Student Council Gov. Datu Nur-Jhun Salik
Every year, MHAM joins the whole wide world in bringing joy and love to others, with the spirit of hope that when we give, we reap the joy of seeing a bright smile- an act of gratitude for life. Indeed, the act of giving kindles inner happiness especially to the children who were present during the Community Christmas celebration.
Truly, no greater gift is there than love! (Ana Liza L. Abao)