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The star of the show

MSC archived stories - August 12, 2023

At the start of this year or to be more precise the Lunar Year of the Rabbit, I wanted to send my first DP at post-pandemic to Juliana on her special year of the birthday. She lives in the Bicol (pronounced BEE-col) Region of the beautiful Albay province in the Philippines.

 

The shopping was done at my usual place, Shopaholic for Kids [www.shopaholic.com.ph] based in the capital Manila. When Juliana was little, choosing items was not difficult but this time finding for a 12yo girl was not that easy as most of their stock inventory falls within the age group up to 12. I was just lucky to have a go with the project.

 

The logistic process was straight forward as staffs are well acquainted with me and Juliana being their VIP clients! I only had to select my items and pay – everything else they handled to the letter of my instructions (even beyond), i.e. preparing the bespoke invoice, wrapping each one so neatly, printing my letter and enclosing in an envelope, boxing everything, taking photographic evidence, including spare shopping bags for ease of carrying, weighing the package to ensure it's within CI guidelines, and keeping me updated throughout the journey (took 2 days) from the moment LBC courier pick-up to final destination.

 

After all that effort and planning, I and staff were anxiously waiting for the arrival of the star of the show at Sta. Teresa Center (CIB2). When I saw Juliana in the follow-up photo this week, I instantly thanked God in my teary eyes that she's healthier and happier. She was overly joyous and gratified to express her sincere thanks (letter and photos added to media).

 

The only photo taken captured 6 out 10 items Juliana received but her letter and the DP report list them all.

Total cost of the DP = $136

Time taken from dispatch to follow-up = 4wks

Comments

  1. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:24

    Thank you for sharing this story, Juliana must be a happy girl with you as her sponsor..and the photo of the center is quite joyfull in pink..

    August 13, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  2. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:24

    How wonderful! What fun to get to pick out the gifts. You made her birthday such a special one!

    August 13, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  3. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:25

    What a nice story. All my sponsored children from the Philippines live in the Bicol region. I am very happy for this program because it seems that this region is extremely poor. I recently sent out my first extra gift to see how it all works and I got a nice photo back with all the things Lorenza bought.

    August 13, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  4. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:25

    What a great 📦 gift. It reminded me of when I used to send DP's to Mark, he graduated from the program 3ys ago. The Bicol region has a lot of poverty. The kids from the Philippines write the sweetest letters. Going back to sponsor in the Philippines once I get the chance.

    August 14, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  5. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:25

    Thank you for sharing your journeys. Since I started with Juliana 6yrs ago the male-dominant family has grown from 6 to 8 members with her only sister born 3yrs ago. I was concerned for her well-being growing up in a large, yet rather chaotic home environment, but was hoping that the new home built adjoining the one they lived (my story "A Place to Call Home", July 18, 2020) perhaps made a difference to their new lifestyle.

    August 15, 2023

    ReplyDelete
  6. chelaka29 March 2025 at 14:25

    This is so sweet Chelaka! You really do the best by your children with such inventiveness and care. Love that Juliana got your presents and every day has something to remind her of the love you show.

    August 22, 2023

    ReplyDelete

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