Helping Hands
Sitio Payong, an urban poor community located between exclusive subdivisions in Quezon City and enclosed by walls, has been one of CLAy’s (Community of Lay Assumption) social activity recipients for the past two years.
Quoting Ave Yaptinchay-Ignacio, HS’79, CLAy Batch2, “CLAy has always encouraged its members never to be content on simply working on one’s internal spiritual growth. Rather, it is CLAy’s hope that this spiritual growth will translate into involvement in some social action. So, when Sr. Vicky Libutaque, ra, Superior of and Novice Mistress of Our Lady of the Assumption Novitiate House mentioned Sitio Payong, we grabbed the chance to make it an avenue for our members to do some social action work.” Liza Abejo-Salgado, HS’78, also from CLAy Batch 2, quickly added, “Then we found out so many things about Sitio Payong – that they are illegal settlers, [which is why] they have no electricity and water, among other [facilities]. Regardless, in the light of being of help, we started to have little meaningful conversations and faith sharing with Ate Tess, Sitio Payong’s respected elder and some “officers” of the community.”
Sitio Payong came into being back in 2006 with around 500 families. Even then, they already endured a life without electricity and water. Currently, Sitio Payong numbers 330 families However, unlike in 2006, Sitio Payong now has a Chapel and Activity Center.
The Activity Center is a very simple structure where the CLAy activities with the children are held. From the simple conversations with a few Nanays, CLAy now also handles 50 children whom they teach proper hygiene and read stories to. Every session is also an opportunity to share a meal with them and give simple toys donated by kind and generous donors. There is also a bookshelf at the Activity Center donated by CLAy which houses several books the children can read during their free time.
CLAy also handles 20 Nanays with whom they have modules on Faith and Responsible Parenthood. Sr. Bernadette Casas, ra and Bubut Neri, Coll’77 take the lead here.
Liza further adds, “We do not want continuous dole outs from our members. Donor fatigue is real! So, another activity we came [up] with is the garage sale, better known as Ukay-Ukay. We provide them goods to sell. This way, the Sitio Payong residents participate in the sorting and selling. They take pride from the proceeds of their Ukay-Ukay, now on its 3rd year!” Proceeds of the Ukay-ukay have been used to fix their Chapel/Activity Center, to buy a few monoblock chairs they use at mass and the children’s activities and to meet some school needs of the children.
It takes a village . . .
Just last November 3, news reached CLAy members that the home of Aicy, a 7-year old girl, burned to the ground. Aicy is one of the 50 children who attend the CLAy activities. She just lost her mother a few months ago and she lives with her father, Joseph, a vegetable vendor, 15-year old sister Jemilyn & 12-year old brother John Patrick. They lost everything in the fire.
A call for urgent help was made to the CLAy family and, in a few days, donations in both cash and kind came in! On November 8, Sr. Vicky, ra turned over cash donations to rebuild the family home and to buy a new weighing scale for Tatay Joseph’s livelihood. Conversely, donations in kind immediately supplied the family’s basic needs like plates, drinking glasses, water jugs, utensils, pots, pans, linens and a some clothes.
Indeed, little acts of kindness when put together can make this world a better place for all! We can all make this world a better place for all!
The Community of Lay Assumption (fondly called CLAY) is a community alive with Sisters, lay partners, Old Girls and friends of the Assumption who bond together on a journey to grow their spiritual life guided by the teachings of our dear Mother foundress St. Marie Eugenie.
For those interested to join CLAY, simply reach out to the following:
* Ave Ignacio – 0918-9103290
* Lize Salgado – 09173221433
You may also reach out to any CLAY member.
