Folding an origami crane for hope

One Saturday recently It was raining in a part of Balubad in Marikina City. Just around 30 children were waiting for Br. Mark Xyrex, a second-year brother, and me on the benches under a tent on a side street. There is no chapel. It was our first meeting with them.

Balubad consists of many people in the slums living in close quarters. It takes 15-20 minutes by car from Marist School in Marikina City . The people scratch along on very little money and haven’t educated their children well because of their living.

The following Saturday, I took some sheets of paper there in order to fold some origami cranes. I‘d like to encourage them with interesting work. I was sure they would like to fold an origami crane.

A Japanese legend says that anyone who folds one thousand paper cranes will  have their heart’s desire come true.

Actually it’s not easy to learn how to fold the crane for the first time. When I taught them how to fold it, in the beginning they were moving around in confusion. But gradually they learnt well how to hold it and finally they were happy with seeing their hopes realized.

I’d like to share my talent with the lovely, hopeful, and dreamful children if it would make them happy. I believe we have a duty to be happy.

• Origami: the Japanese art of folding paper into attractive shapes

Written by

Br. Francisco Song, FMS

ON THE WAY TO EXPLORATON

Few months back I read a book and the title was very fascinating to me, “He took me by the hand and I followed him”

The book was about the religious journey of a sister, “Little Sisters of Jesus”.

Something the same happened to me on 14^th of last month, when I left MAPC for Whit Cross, (a place where most of the kids are those whom their parents can’t feed and look after) because I was assigned there for AFA. I was asked to spend the time with small kids of 3-4 years of age. It was really a moving experience to see them helping each other and sharing their toys.

I was thinking, initially, that they might not come close to me but within few hours they were on my lap and shoulders. When ever I looked at them I marveled at God’s plan for each one of us. I never thought that one day I would be working with Philippines kids and sharing their joys and screaming. I came to this point when I said yes to the call to leave behind my family, culture, language and the places I loved so much.

By

Bro. Farancis. King

“A land like no other”

Well when I was assigned for Payatas I didn’t know about the place until I went there.  I am going to put these few words only after experiencing two Saturdays of my AFA. So I think that I won’t be able to give you the best picture of it! But I will try to tell you something about that place.

In the beginning, during the orientation, I heard that the people of the Philippines do not like bad smells; but after going to Payatas I realized that it’s not true with all. There are some people who don’t like artificial smells. Or maybe they are deprived of perfumes. A big mountain of rubbish is easily seen. And the people who are collecting it for their living are there most of the time. Approximately everyday 130 trucks full of rubbish are unloaded.Most of the houses are not really in a condition to live in. For some, clouds are the roof. And to eat all the three meals is not normal. (Maybe few will break the rule and eat all three meals).

That tells you something about the place. The best part for me is to describe the people of Payatas. Without any hesitation I can say that most of them are very grand people. Who knows how to live and fight with poverty? They are rich in their values. I was surprised to see that with fewer facilities how happily people can live!

Our task at the moment is to dig the septic tank and after covering it we fixed the toilet bowl on the top. So this is how we are doing our share of work at that place.

By

KAMRAN

“Love one another as I have loved you.” In Jesus’ infinite love, God continues to be totally involved with all people in this world, with its disappointments and hopes.

Before I leave for AFA I happened to read these two lines from the ”WATER FROM THE ROCK” book. I felt that this is a new step that I am going to start to bring Jesus and his love to all the people I meet. When I went there I felt at home because of their warm welcome and smiling faces. I felt the place was really peaceful after traveling a long distance. It was easy for me to move with the people I met and I did not feel at all that I was a stranger or a man with a black skin among Filipinos. All of them were very good and accepted me.

When I see the children, men and women there I felt that they are having a very happy life. They are healthy and dressed well. But there is a dark history behind them. When I listened to a young beautiful girl, I came to know the reality of them. When I listened to her I felt put out because I expected that I would teach or play with the children. When we asked her to sing her favorite song, she started singing “AMAZING GRACE” I felt so sorry for her, and I was very happy that I was able to give my time for her. The lesson I learned that day is my work is not only teaching or always to do my part but listening too. I was really happy and surprised to see her faith. I felt that I am not having that much faith in me. I accepted this very happily and I am ready to bring Jesus and his love to them. It is my desire that I may be able to be Gospel to all the people that I meet.

By

CHAMARA H.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 4:18 pm and is filed under NEW UPDATES. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.