This post is three months late, but there is a voice in my head that’s telling me to share this.
Every year since I graduated from college, I always planned on spending my birthday doing an outreach. Every year, I also find excuses on why I’m not able to push through (I was abroad, I was unemployed, I’m broke, etc.). 2019 has been a good year for me and I decided to push through with my wish of celebrating my birthday with kids.
Having a day job, it’s hard to plan an event on my own. I decided to get help from U! Happy Events – an organization made up by volunteers who connect people to marginalized children. All you have to do is pick a schedule and location, indicate the number of kids you want to celebrate with, select 3 out of their 71 offered games, and choose from their available add-ons.
A representative from U! Happy Events will call to confirm your event. I live in BGC so I chose Gawad Kalinga Pinagsamahan, but it was unavailable on my preferred date. They recommended Gawad Kalinga Laura instead (fair warning: it’s in Taguig but still far from BGC).
I still wanted to give a personal touch to the event, so I bought the school supplies on my own (note: please don’t forget to ask the kids’ age group and if they actually go to school). If you want to save time going to Divisoria, Shopee is your best friend (but to save money on shipping fee, I bought the notebooks from Market! Market!). A good friend sponsored payment for face paint so I contacted Syntax's Party Needs (I contacted him on the same day and he agreed to go!). Some of my friends also offered to bring snacks (baon) for the kids. I bought a cake from Goldilocks since their birthday cake is simple but big enough for a lot of kids to enjoy.
Some tips:
- If possible, bring friends instead of family. You’ll be celebrating with marginalized children; please have empathy.
- Gifts are optional, so just bring what you’re willing to give. Kids are easy to please and your time for them is enough to make them happy.
- Dress modestly, prepare to sweat, join the games and have fun yourself!
