Yesterday, we celebrated the success of the Awesome SMILE Project in coordination with @jassennessaj and in partnership with @steemph.cebu which was held at the Luis Amigo Ladies Dormitory. This project aims to provide clothing, slippers, food, and gifts to the street children here in Cebu, Philippines. This project is dear to me since I have become close to these kids.
The Awesome SMILE volunteers came at 8:30 am with @thian2817 and @morken being the early birds to arrive. I followed a few minutes later carrying the other things needed for the event. By 9:00 am we were led by Sister Maricel to the garage were our activities were to take place. The gates were then open for the kids to enter. I was surprised they were already waiting outside as early as 8:00am! These kids were definitely excited.
We then quickly started our program right away as we waited for the other kids to arrive. Other kids also took the time to take a bath first before joining the rest. The program was hosted by our ever dynamic and bighearted @morken and the opening prayer was led by @kayegrasya.
The first activity we had was the art workshop headed by @smaeunabs, @iamqueenlevita and @christianyocte. The kids had fun coloring the art materials; even our volunteers joined in the fun. @morken and the others would select winners from this activity to showcase the outstanding works of the kids.
After an hour, we proceeded with the basketball exhibition between the Steemian players and the children. This game was led by our very own @jassennessaj, who is the number one promoter of Steemit through the basketball league he has initiated here in Cebu. The exhibition game was assisted by @josephace135 and @jbeguna04. We saw some real talent among the kids.
We even have these two boys as commentator for the game. Unfortunately, it rained hard and some of the kids I was expecting especially the big boys were not able to come. I have yet to visit them again. While the boys were showing their moves during the exhibition game, some of the kids continued doing some art activities.
Others enjoyed watching the game between the two competitive teams. After the basketball game finished, we proceeded with the pinoy games which @thian2817 took care of. The games played were the paper dance, Giling-giling game and the cup relay. And oh boy! You could see the competitiveness of our fellow steemians especially @jassennessaj and @smaeubas for their teams to win.
The winning kids were then given their prizes and they loved the toys they received.
We then awarded the winning pieces of art from our very own children. And they were so proud of their masterpiece.
The food(rice, pork adobo and panict) we ordered for the children from Kantina Niño arrived around 11:00 am. We distributed the food paired with juice as they settled at their seats. All other Steemian Volunteers made sure that each one of them were given their share including the mothers who came along. Special thanks to @liamnov for cooking pancit and chicken adobo for the volunteers , @juichi and @thian2817 for adding spaghetti to the table and @ybanezkim26 for sharing the delicious puto flan to everyone.
The final part of the program was the gift giving which started off with the giving of the slippers, then the clothes, and lastly the bundles of joy. We also handed over the 2 portable mattresses, 2 basketballs and a box of hygiene products to the nuns who take care of the kids.
They were all happy to be receiving these simple things that we have given to them. No words can express how much I was touched by the joy they felt from the simple gifts they have received. And I have every one of you to thank that for!
We ended the program with a group picture together with the children and with the sisters. In total, we have 40 kids and 2 babies as beneficiaries of this project.
I am also excited to read the Awesome SMILE experiences of my fellow Steemian volunteers who made this project possible. I have asked them to use the tag awesomesmile for their blogs. I bet they have touching stories to tell about their Awesome SMILE experience. Please do check out their blogs and give them some love.
You can also watch out @chuuuckie & @calvinweigel14, @junebride & @panoramicview and @carlitojoshua’s blogs as they are our official documentation team for the said event. I can’t wait to see the photos and videos they will present to all of us showcasing the highlights of the Awesome SMILE Project.
I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the following Cebu Steemian Volunteers for sparing their time with the kids. As I was really busy making sure everything would go smoothly, you guys didn't fail to do your part. I know all of you have brought happiness to them. I'm pretty sure they also did the same to you. So thank you guys!
THE BENEFACTORS
Thank you once more to the following benefactors for sharing your blessings to these littles angels. I am proud to say that the event was a huge success! The simple gifts we have given have brought immense joy to them.
@youarehope for donating 150 SBD to the Awesome SMILE Project. @youarehope is a global, worldwide mission outreach program founded by @SirCork. This program aims at providing basic human necessities such as water, food, clothing and other fundamental needs all around the world. You can see their amazing acts of kindness here.
@tarekadam for donating 50 Steem to the Awesome SMILE Project. @tarekadam have initiated a contest giving away 500 steem to 10 worthy projects helping out people in need. You can visit his blog here where the Awesome SMILE Project was chosen as one of the winners.
A Dollar A Day project by @pennsif, @aggroed, @cryptocurator, @gmuxx, @goldendawne, @mother2chicks, @nikolina, @redrica, & @steemcommunity witness for donating 15 SBD to the Awesome SMILE Project.
To the following individuals who donated their SBD and STEEEM:
My heartfelt gratitude to the following:
| @surpassinggoogle | @abh12345 | @anomadsoul |
|---|---|---|
| @tegoshei | @hanshotfirst | @kevinwong |
| @donkeypong | @analisa | @sndbox |
| @voronoi | @bayanihan | @onerace |
| @yehey |
and to EVERYONE else who have upvoted, commented and resteemed the original blog to help us reach our target funds. You can check the complete financial statement here.
Special thanks to @jassennessaj and @themanualbot, our very supportive core leaders here in Cebu, Philippines for their great efforts for making the project a success!
Also to the @steemph.cebu family, for your genuine support.
I shall end this post with a very BIG THANK YOU to every one of you. Seeing the awesome smiles of the children could never be replaced. I am sending the love and joy I have received from them to you!
All photos are taken by our promising Steemian photographer @carlitojoshua, @junebride and @panoramicview.