LOVE in 100 Shoe Boxes

Last July, we asked our friends to put all the love they can give, for a child, inside a shoe box. We coordinated with a partner organization who gave us a list of underprivileged 100 kids from the slums of Baseco, Tondo. This isn't our first time to meet the kids but the experience is brand new. The response to the project is overwhelming.

We interviewed the volunteers who joined us in the field and here's what they have to say:


FOX LLANTE
President & Co-Founder, The Project Tenfold Circle

Photo from Sugar Canto.

I have done this many times. But the difference each experience brings to my life never fails to amaze me. This is the second time Project Tenfold went to Baseco, Tondo. This is extra special because we didn’t just bring food or supplies as we did last time. We brought 100 boxes from 100 different people who made each box special by spending time thinking of the kid’s needs, happiness and amazement. It was a task dedicated to sharing a piece of oneself to a total stranger in need where we all spent more time in making it meaningful rather than just beautiful. There were 9 of us on field work, but it did feel like there are 100 people more with us.

The streets in Baseco are shallow. It was hard to maneuver our cars to the location. Every resident who got a chance to check us out did; just imagine the amount of attention we got. What are they here for? Who are they? It felt like we were invading a very private property and any wrong move will get us into trouble. But the after-event was entirely different; we were smiled to, held tight, hugged even, and waved at, on our way home.

Poverty can take away one’s hope, trust in humanity and even one’s faith in fellowmen. But LOVE can always bring it back. LOVE, no matter what shape, size or form, heals all.

Thanks to all who made this project a reality.

SUGAR CANTO

Treasurer  & Co-Founder, The Project Tenfold Circle

This has been the second time I've been to Baseco for a Project Tenfold project, and the experience brought back memories of hope and gratitude when we were there the first time.

You can't beat the joy you feel when you see happy smiling faces the moment the children see you arrive to when they get to eat and receive their "shoebox presents". That experience changes you. It brings you a different perspective, and you begin to realize how trivial the many things you complain or stress about everyday. You worry so much about your wardrobe or "OOTD" when this child was all smiles getting a new pair of underwear! You obsess about taking pictures of your food but not even finishing it, when this kid doesn't even touch his because he wants to give it to his mom since they don't have dinner.

Simply put, it was bittersweet. It made me realize what I have to be thankful for everyday and how much more I can give even though how little.

ARMAN SICO

District Leader,The Project Tenfold Circle

Perhaps majority of us will agree that Tondo is definitely an opposite of what a paradise is.

So I got a little skeptic when I was asked to join Project Tenfold’s Love in 100 Shoeboxes. But I thought this may be a chance of a lifetime so I gave it a go.

When we got there, I was thrilled to see how excited and happy the kids were for the event. Their happiness and excitement even amplified when they got their chicken meal and their own shoe boxes. It was mind-opening. I never thought how lucky I am until I saw their faces. I can’t explain how proud I was to be part of it - to hear their delight after opening their shoe boxes. Realization – I should be thankful for what I have for these kids barely have something.

I wouldn’t say it was fun – it is enlightening. It feels good when you know how happy others are because of what you did.

I couldn't be happier knowing that I was able to see that, even in a place like Tondo, paradise does exist.

JON GROYON

Event Volunteer, LOVE in 100 SHOE BOXES

(Volunteered to drive one of our cars)

Poverty has been a consistent problem throughout the history. No matter what the median income, unemployment or overall prosperity level is, there will be people who are homeless and hungry. Today, there are lots of people who are struggling to find better shelter, feed their kids and find warm clothing. I maybe one of them, well, not quite. Not until I joined Project Tenfold Circle by accident (or probably not), that I was able to see the difference.

It was quite an adventure going there in Baseco but at the same time the most fulfilling and wonderful thing that ever happened in my life. I will definitely miss the kids.

Thanks for the opportunity.

TEN ARREOLA

Volunteer Record Manager, The Project Tenfold Circle

It is an honor to be part of The Project Tenfold Circle. The experiences I have shared with them were very fulfilling. This is my second time to join an event. And I am very proud to say that in this project (LOVE in 100 Shoe Boxes), I really devoted time in helping make it successful… and it was!

I can clearly recall the excitement of the kids when we arrived at the site. It was already an appetizer to the main course. Words can’t express how happy I was after seeing the kids flabbergasted to see what’s inside the shoe boxes.

I realized one thing – those things we put inside our boxes are ‘just things’ to us, but for those kids, our ‘things’ were their fortunes.

In our lives, we tend to take things for granted. There are things we think are useless, but to some, these are the exact same things they have been praying for – a new pair of shoes, a new shirt, chocolates, a pencil case, etc.

A heartfelt Thank You to my Project Tenfold Circle; our statement is true not just for others but for ourselves – indeed, you help me help others.

BRYCE KIGUCHI

VP & Co-Founder, The Project Tenfold Circle

If there’s one thing I learned from my Baseco experience, it’s this:

You don’t need to be rich or famous or generous to a fault to make a difference in someone’s life.

Sometimes, you just have to be an instrument. Sometimes, your mere presence is enough. Not everyone can be there. So, I think it’s always a privilege to be physically present in order to help people help other people.

There are many different ways, and many different forms of helping people. Everyone involved in this project has helped those kids in Baseco. We served them boxes brimming with love, hope and a reminder that they are not forgotten. And in return, I believe those kids helped all of us.

DANNIE MAURO

Auditor & Co-Founder, The Project Tenfold Circle

I am struggling to find the words to describe my Baseco experience, but I know it breaks my heart. Maybe because I have not seen so much joy in having a decent meal and so much gratitude from receiving humble gifts except from those 100 kids. It made me think, “When was the last time I was hungry and was more than grateful that I had enough food on my plate?” or “Have I ever received a gift and not desired for something greater?” It probably pained me to see that some would go to the extent of depriving themselves to have something to take home to their families. “How could these little ones understand sacrifice so well, when all I could think of was myself at that age?”

Believe or not, I learned more from the kids more than they have probably learned from me. There are certain things in life that we take for granted and it feels good to have something to keep you grounded. Most think that I would say I walked away from the experience “full” however I became “hungry”. This is the kind that fuels the desire to be more and do more!

CLEM JIMENEZ

Creative Director, The Project Tenfold Circle

When I got the chance to read the news about the latest project (Love in 100 Shoe boxes) from the team, my first reaction was to smile and be glad about this opportunity to again help others and make a difference. I dearly hoped to see those adorable kids again two years back.

So we gave out the boxes and food and made 100 of these children and their parents happy. Was it fulfilling? No doubt that it was. But was it enough? Definitely not. It will never be, as long as you see hands waving, not to say "hi" but to reach out and ask for something ... or anything we could give as alms. We can only do as much and that, makes a huge difference. Even as the program went on, there were children outside with faces gleaming with hope of getting lucky. Whatever they were feeling or thinking at that time gave me an impression that this would not be the last time I'd see this place.

I will live on to see more happy faces. I can't wait until the next project!

LALU ERAMIS

District Leader, The Project Tenfold Circle

  

The Project Tenfold Circle’s LOVE in 100 Shoe Boxes is one of the most unforgettable experiences I ever had. It was my first time to step in Tondo, Manila .  I was so happy that I will be able to share my blessings to the needy ones.

As I give the gifts and food that we prepared for the kids I can really see the smile on their faces - a smile that touched my heart and made me happy. By participating on this kind of activity, I become a blessing to others.

I will never regret that I chose to spend my weekend with these kids and I thank my Project Tenfold Familia for letting me experience this precious moment with the Baseco kids.

All photos from Clem Jimenez unless otherwise indicated.


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