The Celadoneans joined two Rotaract districts in an outreach to Lupang Pangako Elementary School in Payatas, Quezon City last May 31, 2014 in a program called “Kwela Pa-Eskwela.” The program with Rotaract Club of Chinatown Manila and Rotaract Club of Singapore East lasted from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The blue-topped volunteers distributed school supplies to the third grade students, cleaned up the campus grounds, and painted its walls. The Patayas Elementary students lined up at the beginning of the program to happily receive the supplies packed by the volunteers last May 30. The team split up afterwards to arm themselves with a set of brooms and dustpans, or paint brushes and paint rollers. By the afternoon, some volunteers had spots of yellow paint all over their hands. The teachers expressed their gratitude at the newly painted walls.

Althea Chong narrated a brief history of the project. “Before the start of Rotaract Chinatown, [Lupang Pangako was] already our beneficiary for our projects,” she said. “Rotaract was formed of the idea of helping the Payatas Eskwela.”

“Mr. Magic Ong, a famous Rotarian, approached us if we wanted to form a Rotaract club. We said yes. We wanted to continue to help Payatas Elementary,” Jorelle Ramos continued.

When the representative of Rotaract Singapore East was asked about their involvement in the volunteer work in the Philippines, she said: “We are here to help the underprivileged children, to give them the opportunity to study and hope that they will find happiness during their childhood life.”

After the end of the event, a Celadonean was asked what was most fulfilling that day: “I believe it was when we distributed the supplies to the children. That’s when you saw their smiles firsthand.”

Written by Joshua Cheng.