OUTREACH PROGRAM REFLECTION PAPER

by Geraldine M. Castelltort

Outreach Program is part of our lesson and it is our Task Performance for NSTP 1,
but I did not expect that this outreach program will give me a lesson that will be kept in
my heart until my last breath. We chose to do our Outreach Program at Bahay ni Maria
in Sampiruhan, Calamba City. As one of the assigned people who will go there to give the
letter to the Management of Bahay ni Maria, one of the sisters (madre) introduced us to
the Lolas there and I noticed that they are excited and eagerly want to have a visitor. I felt
sad for that because they don't deserve it, they should be at their home with their family,
but we do not know why and what are the different story why they are there. When we
are already there and doing our Outreach Program, we sang a Christmas song for them
and put a Santa Claus hat on their heads. One of the Lolas cried because of tears of joy
because she remembered her family who is not visiting her yet. Some of them are happy
just like these Lolas. I took care to these two Lolas, Lola Narcy and Lola Perla. Lola Perla
has a problem on her eyes because it is partially blind, her hearing is weak too, she has
been staying at bahay ni maria for a year.

Lola Perla Lola Narcy

Lola Narcy is a happy person, Lola Perla is her best friend there she tells me some
things about Lola Perla like the condition of Lola Perla about her eyes and ears, she tells
me that Lola Perla don't like Pancit. While I am talking to them I gave them food to eat,
an apple, small oranges, banana and sandwich. They both like sandwiches so I gave them
a pack of sandwiches for them to have a sandwich whenever they want to eat when we
leave. I don't ask them too many questions because I am afraid that I might offend them.
I just sit with them and do a small talk. We play old songs during the program then they
played the song "Kahit maputi na ang buhok ko". Lola Narcy and Lola Perla sang with us
together and it made me cry because I remember my Grandmother who took care for me
when I was a kid. I cried because I realized that their life inside Bahay ni Maria is really
different to what life should they have. We only have 2 hours to do our program there so
we assured that the Lolas enjoyed our Outreach there. We gave them rosary bracelet and
a gift. We played happy songs like Boom Tarat tarat and Kendeng-kendeng. Lola Narcy
really likes the music, she danced and I saw her laughing and I was happy seeing them
smiling. After that we finally bid our goodbyes to them and I kissed all the Lolas there
because I feel so closed to them. Lola Narcy held and kissed my hand while saying thank
you. I gave Lolas especially Lola Narcy and Lola Perla a tight hug with love. I cried because
I don't want to leave them, but I have no choice.

A photo by Bryan Estrella

On that outreach program I realized and I learned so many things, that's why I
promised to myself that I will take care of my mom until God takes her from me. I promise
to myself that I will not bring her to the Home for the Aged because I saw how sad the
Lolas are, I witnessed how much they want to be with their families and how they long
for them so much. And I cannot take to see my mom longing for the love she deserves. As
long as I can give her everything she needs, as long as I can take good care of her, she will
stay with me.