Volunteering is not always easy but when things come together it is very rewarding. We planned our visit to Police Station 3 Talomo to refresh our connections to them and coordinate the gift giving activities FNKN had planned for Christmas 2024. We asked them for advice about our plans to give gifts to homeless people in downtown Davao, but in our meeting with AB Lucy Guy and CPO2 Fred Delathey they discouraged us from that idea and said instead FNKN could be the exclusive partner in their planned Christmas activity at the daycare center in Matina Pangi. However, they were unable to give exact dates at this point. Few days later we received message telling us it would be in four days at 8 am. We would leave the police station in convoy to go to a covered court and deliver presents to young children attending the local daycare center.
The board members asked each other if this project could succeed with such short notice, to buy and put together 110 gift bags. We agreed, and the next morning we bought lots of goodies from our members’ donations and the budget which was given, not just for that project but for the nine children at the orphanage we have supported a couple of times before. The same day we packed 110 gift bags and still had time for some beers.
We called on our members to help with the distribution, but it was a very short notice and Christmas very near. On December 17 then we met at police station 3, where we were welcomed by the head of the Women and Children Protection group. After photo-taking and loading of the vehicles we were on the move to Matina Pangi to meet one hundred or so day care children. It was for them like Father Christmas had turned up. Indeed heartwarming to hear the children cheer and to see them so happy. They lighten our mood in turn with their dance intermissions. It made us proud to be members and representatives of FNKN. After we sat down to start the program (see below) that included messages from the participating groups and numbers prepared by the participants large and small.
After the program, we met some of the parents to whom we handed out gifts as well as other donations which were prepared by the police. All were fed and happy with the help of our group and its members.
We wish to thank the Women and Children Protection Unit and all others who gave their time and talents to the event.