Just like finding a flower growing out of a crack on a sidewalk, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself staring at several sacks of donations- mostly used clothing and a plastic bag half full with canned goods and bars of soap- AT THE NEW BILIBID PRISONS, in Muntinlupa. Yes, you heard me right-- PRISON. Although they were just a few sacks of clothes plus a bag of at least 20 cans of sardines with 4 long bars of laundry soap-- NOTHING COMPARED to the relief goods overflowing in warehouses... they MEANT EVERYTHING to those who shared it.
What exactly does 1 item of clothing mean to an inmate? In prison, inmates are only to take in the essentials. Imagine the difference an extra pair of pants makes.
And what exactly does 1 long bar of detergent do for 4 inmates? It is what they are to share for 1 whole month to wash their clothes.
Lastly, what exactly does 1 tiny can of sardines mean? It is the meal to be shared by 2 inmates.
To us volunteers who have been packing day in and day out like robots, it's just can of sardines. Another thing you mindlessly throw in plastic bags while you are busy running around, frantically trying to reach the quota of goods to be packed. But to the least of our brothers and sisters, it is life. It is Love squeezed into a tiny can.
Imagine the wave one tiny ripple can make-- a group of inmates (from the council of elders of the prison) headed by Warren Zingapan told Director Calderon of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) about their tiny plan of how to help solve the huge problem. The proposal was for around 20,000 prisoners (who unanimously agreed) to give up their share of sardines (P16.00/can). If allowed, the prisoners shall be able to help fund the relief operations for typhoon Ondoy's victims. Calculate that and imagine the difference a peso makes!
And to think that I thought that one canned good barely made a difference in the stacks and towers of boxes of relief goods. Was I wrong! Everything and everyone is important, no matter how big or how small. No matter how useless they may seem, they make a huge difference!
Remembering what happened in prison today, I can't help but be so moved and inspired as to share it with you. I am so proud to be Filipino. Wow. Iba talaga ang Pinoy!
Let's share the love and pay it forward like they did! :)
--
image source: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/sb10066590c-001/Digital-Vision
good job philippines! :) i'm so proud!
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for posting this. We're an organization called 'Baliklaya' that provides prison service to the inmates at Medium Security in NBP and this is so nice to hear. If you don't mind, I've posted this as a link too. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi pedz! lol, lovely article, :) It is awesome to see the great presence of love even at a time like this. I do hope this continues on eternally. We should all leverage on this to make our nation better. :)
ReplyDeleteNo problem! Feel free to repost and share it. The world needs more good news :) Thanks! :)
ReplyDelete