Written by: Kuya Carl Tan, Admin Officer
How do you usually spend your birthday? A lavish party? A buffet with family? A night out with friends? This year, Ate Marvic chose none of those, and instead opted to spend her day with some amazing children. The children she would spend time with were not your ordinary children, but just as fun and energetic as any child. These were the children of Talking Hands, a school for deaf children.
Before meeting the children, Ate Marvic, her friends, and the U! Happy team were briefed by the foundation on the profile of the children and were taught basic sign language. A teacher was also present to help the host conduct the program and manage the children. After a couple of sign language introductions, the kids were split off into groups and the program was ready to begin.
After having the sponsors get to know the children within their groups, Ate Beth commenced the first game. Ate Beth started off with a game of Bring Me, assisted by the teacher. She had the kids bring her all sorts of things, including bags, specific peso coins, and even socks! In order to curb the energy and excitement that game from the first game, a milder activity was prepared by Ate Blanca in the form of adorable pop up cards. After distributing the materials, Ate Blanca instructed everyone on how to do the pop ups. The cards were a big hit, with even the adults being amused by the artwork. The kids marveled at their creation and were excited when they found out that they could keep what they made. After this, it was time for the last but definitely not the least performance, a bubble show. If the previous two activities didn’t garner enough enjoyment, this one was sure to impress. Applause, screams, and yelps of joy could be heard as Kuya Alan made bubble after bubble, with some kids even going forward to get a closer look. When Kuya Alan started inviting people to step inside the bubble, the energy level rose even higher and the Ates and Kuyas had to help calm them down. After several kids having their turns inside the bubble, with even Ate Marvic stepping inside, the bubble show concluded and there was nothing but applause for Kuya Alan.
Finally, after an afternoon of activities, the kids were treated to a delicious snack of pasta and chicken lollipops. The kids stuffed themselves full and got ready to go home. However, Ate Marvic had one last surprise in store for them in the form of giveaways, wherein each kid would receive school supplies, thematically fitting as the foundation itself was a school. With the program coming to an end, Ate Marvic and her friends said their goodbyes to the children. Though they would part ways with the children, Ate Marvic and her friends would go home with happy hearts full of joy and love, having touched these kids’ lives and made a difference in the community. If nothing else, this was truly a birthday well spent.
