Hello. This is Marilou from the Philippines. I've been volunteering in the Khlong Toei slum for a year. I never envisaged doing this type of humanitarian work in my life. Thank you to Father Edgar for inviting me to participate in their Saturday activities. And I met Father Alex, who also guided me, and Thai volunteers who became friends with me.
My first day was perplexing, but Father Lucivaldo was there to help. He assisted me in comprehending the situation in the slum. I was initially apprehensive due to COVID-19. I'm terrified of interacting with youngsters; therefore, I reconsidered participating in the activity. But I keep asking myself, "Is it worth my time to spend it with them?" I had a lot of "what if?" thoughts. I couldn't answer my question without trying, so I began spending my free time with the slum kids.
Have you ever made someone happy by spending nothing? And the children's inquiry in the slum makes you enthusiastic and grin.
Being with the children and volunteers broadens my understanding of the world, particularly the condition in the slums. Some children have particular needs that their parents fail to recognize. Some children crave for attention and love because they do not feel at home. As a volunteer, you must pay attention to what they are saying. Children in slums teach me to open my eyes wider. They assist me in breaking out of my comfort zone. I am delighted to be a part of their progress. It's worth it to play with them and make them happy, or to watch their cheeks light up with a big smile!
Doing acts of kindness for children in slums with individuals from all over the world brings us together as one with one goal in mind: to make the world a single family.
