News Clip

Last July 2006, Accenture volunteers visited Cotolenggo Filipino, home to special children in Montalban Rizal. Tina Santos, senior programmer shares with us her thoughts in bringing joy to special children.

When I knew that my friend, Benjie, was able to include me in the list of volunteers who would be going to Cottolengo Filipino in Montalban, Rizal, I really got excited. From that moment, the only thing I could think of was to help the special kids. So, I helped gather donations (even sent a last minute e-mail to my MTS family asking for more) for those kids whom I just saw on pictures from an e-mail. “Why them? How do they live or cope with life on a day to day basis?” These were just some of the questions I had in mind. I had a feeling of sadness (for those kids), nervousness (for me) and excitement rolled into one.

On the big day, upon stepping out of the bus, I felt good because I knew it was a start of something good, something special to the kids and something that would be fruitful and fulfilling to a person like me. The brief orientation on the history of Cottolengo Filipino and the condition of special children in the Philippines was a good start to help us understand and adjust to the new environment. It was my first time to go to such kind of an outreach program and our (singing) group wasn’t able to prepare enough, so I just told myself, “Bahala na…” Soon after, I just realized that I was already singing “Bahay Kubo” (and other songs) with the volunteers and kids while encouraging other kids to join the group in singing. Although I noticed that some could barely sing because of their physical conditions, I could see the glow of happiness on their faces while we were singing (and dancing) with them. I witnessed the same radiance from the kids who joined the other groups (basketball, dancing, storytelling/coloring). Thoughts of those happy faces made me feel really good inside…

I will never forget such wonderful and unique experience I had with those kids. Someone might think that acting like a big sister or brother to those kids was too simple, but it wasn’t… because like our own little brothers and sisters, they can be playful as well. This would require us to be extra careful and have enough patience and understanding in dealing with their situation. Needless to say, these kids only want the same attention, love and care that we share with our own brothers and sisters. And even though the time spent with them was short, I knew that I, together with the other volunteers, made someone’s day special. Through this experience, I realized life’s simple pleasures… being able to share love, affection and the things that you have… especially to those who need most…

Last July 2006, Accenture volunteers visited Cotolenggo Filipino, home to special children in Montalban Rizal. Tina Santos, senior programmer shares with us her thoughts in bringing joy to special children.

When I knew that my friend, Benjie, was able to include me in the list of volunteers who would be going to Cottolengo Filipino in Montalban, Rizal, I really got excited. From that moment, the only thing I could think of was to help the special kids. So, I helped gather donations (even sent a last minute e-mail to my MTS family asking for more) for those kids whom I just saw on pictures from an e-mail. “Why them? How do they live or cope with life on a day to day basis?” These were just some of the questions I had in mind. I had a feeling of sadness (for those kids), nervousness (for me) and excitement rolled into one.

On the big day, upon stepping out of the bus, I felt good because I knew it was a start of something good, something special to the kids and something that would be fruitful and fulfilling to a person like me. The brief orientation on the history of Cottolengo Filipino and the condition of special children in the Philippines was a good start to help us understand and adjust to the new environment. It was my first time to go to such kind of an outreach program and our (singing) group wasn’t able to prepare enough, so I just told myself, “Bahala na…” Soon after, I just realized that I was already singing “Bahay Kubo” (and other songs) with the volunteers and kids while encouraging other kids to join the group in singing. Although I noticed that some could barely sing because of their physical conditions, I could see the glow of happiness on their faces while we were singing (and dancing) with them. I witnessed the same radiance from the kids who joined the other groups (basketball, dancing, storytelling/coloring). Thoughts of those happy faces made me feel really good inside…

I will never forget such wonderful and unique experience I had with those kids. Someone might think that acting like a big sister or brother to those kids was too simple, but it wasn’t… because like our own little brothers and sisters, they can be playful as well. This would require us to be extra careful and have enough patience and understanding in dealing with their situation. Needless to say, these kids only want the same attention, love and care that we share with our own brothers and sisters. And even though the time spent with them was short, I knew that I, together with the other volunteers, made someone’s day special. Through this experience, I realized life’s simple pleasures… being able to share love, affection and the things that you have… especially to those who need most…

• Accenture Caring for Tomorrow is the corporate social responsibility program of Accenture Manila Delivery Center. It organizes volunteer opportunities for employees in the different sectors that need help and assistance.