Hiking for Hope: Spreading Joy Through Giving

Hey there, the holiday season is fast approaching, and the "Ber" months are a time of giving, especially with Christmas just around the corner.

I believe, Christmas is made especially for the kids. It's a time when putting a smile on their faces becomes a collective mission, a vision that started within our defunct hiking group.

This endeavor began as an idea after our first outreach program. Regrettably, I couldn't attend the first one due to a scheduling conflict. Our initial outreach program took place at a school in Toledo City where one of our friends teaches elementary pupils.

Determined not to miss the second opportunity, we planned to bring joy to the Grade 1 pupils of a school in Compostela, Cebu, where one of our hiking friends was based and living.

Our mission kicked off at 7 Eleven in Compostela, Cebu, where we gathered, waiting for others to arrive. At that time, we had 45 volunteers. We paired up and rode motorcycle taxis to the gym near the school, where we organized our gift-giving program. The theme for our second outreach program was "Grant a wish this Christmas." We asked the children to list their wishes, and our volunteers worked diligently to fulfill these dreams.

Upon arrival, we had to set up all the gifts and other freebies for the kids we had selected. Some of the kids were already there, waiting alongside their parents.

Before distributing the gifts, we organized a small program and games for the children, adding a touch of fun to the event. Each of us contributed by assisting the children, ensuring everything was in order. It was a chaotic event but fun nonetheless. Every gift was wrapped in Christmas paper to enhance the excitement on their faces. We made sure that every child present had something to go home with. Thanks to our sponsors, we provided school supplies and snacks for the kids.

We also made sure that some kids who were there but not on the list received freebies.

Witnessing the smiles on their faces as they received their gifts was incredibly heartwarming. These gifts might seem small to us, but to them, they meant everything. It was a fulfilling experience, knowing that we contributed, even in a small way, to their Christmas happiness.

Leaving the children with beaming smiles, we moved on to the next part of our event. As part of our itinerary, we planned to hike to the Holy Cross of Tagaytay.

Organizing a hike for a cause with a large group of people was quite challenging. Ensuring their safety along the trail and checking on each person was indeed a crazy idea, but we managed.

During our hike, we made stops to enjoy lunch. The hike itself was easy, but navigating the trails with a large group was overwhelming. Some got lost on the trail and followed a different path, but in the end, it got sorted out, and we continued walking until we saw the towering cross of Tagaytay from afar.

With each step, we approached the cross, and upon arrival, we took our time to appreciate the moment, capturing it with individual and group photos.

We stayed there for almost an hour, appreciating and contemplating the things we had accomplished during the day. We exited on a different trail and made our way home. Who would have thought that we could do things we love and at the same time help kids put a smile on their faces.

In the future, I hope we'll be able to give back again. Events like this require time and effort, so hopefully, when time permits, my friends and I would pull off something similar.

This experience profoundly opened my eyes to life's harsh realities, reminding me that not everyone enjoys the same privileges. However, it also showed me that through small deeds, we can make a significant impact on the lives of children, leaving a lasting impression that might shape their future and inspire positive change.

Until our next outreach program, see you all!