While everyone is enjoying the APEC Holiday, my family and some high school friends and barkada spent our holiday with Lolos and Lolas in Anawim Lay Missions Foundation.
Before I share our pilgrimage last November 18, let me give some facts about Anawim:
Anawim (pronounced ah-nah-weem) is a Hebrew word that means, “the poor who depend on the Lord for deliverance or God’s poor. “
Anawim Lay Missions, a small facility for poor and abandoned elderly people founded by Catholic lay preacher Bo Sanchez in Rizal Province, Philippines. It opened its doors in 1996 to rejected and abandoned elderly who are roaming the streets. Its purpose is to provide a home, a sanctuary, to those poor and abandoned elderly who have nowhere else to go.
I am a Lola’s girl that is why Elders are close to my heart. I’ve been wanting to visit Anawim since I became a Feast attendee but ngayon lang ako nagkaron ng opportunity. Actually, it is the idea of my high school friend, Lloyd. He wanted to visit a Home for the aged just like what we did when we are in high school (part of our project in Values Education). So from this, I took the chance to recommend Anawim and coordinate with them the schedule of our visit.
From pledges, to planning, to preparing our simple gifts to the Elders, off we go to Anawim. As per Ms. Mila, Anawim Coordinator, there are 57 Lolos and Lolas at that time. We need to confirm the head count so we can prepare enough food and loots. There are also 40 workers and volunteers.
Preparing our simple gift to the Lolo’s and Lola’s of Anawim
From Taguig to Rodriguez, Rizal, it took us almost 2 hours to get there.When we arrived, a Lola greeted us with a smile, excited to meet us.
Before we start our program, Sister Arcie, the Coordinator orient us first on the do’s and dont’s when talking to the Elders.
From what I remember, we should not directly ask them kung bakit sila napunta sa Home for the aged, baka kasi ma trigger yung sad emotions nila, it might affect their health. We should also have eye contact with them so they can feel our sincerity. You can check this article about visiting Elderly before heading to any Home for the Aged facility.
In terms of loots that we will give, we can directly give to the Lolos and Lolas the edible items like biscuits, coffee and others, do not include detergent soap, shampoo or the likes, since most of the Elders have Dementia or memory loss. They need toiletries but give it directly to the Head Coordinator.
Now, let me photo blog our Anawim Pilgrimage:
Some of the Villas of the Elders
These are our simple gift to grandpa’s and grandma’s 🙂
We prepared light merienda for them
The Lolas and Lolos are all talented. They are happy to show it to us, singing and dancing.
They are also game for some selfie, hihi!
They also need someone to talk to and share their kwentos
It’s time for merienda and distribution of our gift
Some Lolos and Lolas are bedridden already, we visited them at their villas.
With Lloyd, Ryan and Sister Arcie, Anawim Coordinator
We are happy to met another batch of pilgrimage who visited the Elders
everyone is happy in this photo
“Anawim Lolos and Lolas are sweet because they teach us what unconditional love is all about. We love them and they love us back!”
With the Elders and Volunteers
It’s time to say goodbye but we will certainly visit them again…
If the Elders are happy to see us, we are even more happy to see them!
I thank God for these wonderful people who are willing to share not only their material things but their time which is far more important. ^_^
JOIN A PILGRIMAGE
Take a day-off to visit the elderly at the Anawim Lay Missions facility. The love and smile that you can share will mean the world to these elderly who have been rejected and abandoned by their relatives.
The Lolos and Lolas will be happy if you will spend your time with them..
“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors” – Bo Sanchez
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ — Jesus,, Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ — Jesus,, Matthew 25:40
For details, you can contact them through their website and Facebook Page
Hi Lally. Mabuti nakadalaw kayo sa kanila lolo at lola. They're a happy bunch. nakakalungkot lang pag uwian na, yung iba sa kanila naiiyak.
Ang saya naman. Gusto ko rin ulit sumama sa ganyan eh, I remember the last time na nag visit kami sa mga elderly last 3 years ago pa. Hayz. Namiss ko tuloy lola ko.
That's true sis. Yung isang Lolo gusto sumama sa amin pauwi. 🙁
Sama ka sa amin next time. hehe!
Great of you to do this Lally! Sometimes I wonder how life would be when I'm 80. You surely brought smiles to their faces. 🙂
It's always a great idea to give back to people who need it.They look so happy.Athough this really makes me wonder where their families are 🙁
God Bless your family. I miss doing this in the Philippines. =)
I suddenly miss my lola that i havent seen for years now. Good job for making the elders happy. 🙂
Nakakamiss ang mga grandparents…Ang galing nyo naman for having this. God Bless your heart Sis!
What you did is admirable and i'd love to be part of something like this. ~pearliza paguio
What a nice gesture! 🙂
This us a wonderful post Lally. It is in giving that we truly receive more. God bless you and your family.
Wow, new blog design ba ito, Mommy Lally? 🙂 Nice! Isip din tayo ng ganitong activity for the #BulliesofManila. Hehe. Pareho kami ni Rakks, naalala ko mga Lola ko!
This is such an amazing gesture. It must have meant a lot to them to have people visit and share stories with. 🙂
I love doing charity visits like this… My group here in batangas is planning to do this next year and we will be inviting moms! Hope you could join us.. Thanks for sharing this! 😀