It will be if it is meant to be, in the service of the community

We did the first outreach to our elementary and high school alma mater last 2017 and it was very successful. We distributed school supplies for free to students from day care to grade 12. All the hand and leg works were a collaboration among those who had time to spare. While only a few of us were able to join up to the site, there were still us together. It was my pleasure and honor to be the treasurer and overall coordinator of the outreach program.

^{I designed the tarpaulin knowing that the outreach may not push thru.}

This year, the outreach was planned to be done in conjunction with homecoming of all other batches. We have communicated our participation with matching outreach and it was well received. However as the date drew near, the challenge kept dragging on. This outreach was a lot more challenging than our first.

^{But amazing people were ready to help.}

I was out of corporate life when we did the 2017 activity so I had all the time to do the coordination. However this time, I don't. I knew that I can squeeze in treasurer and procurement tasks so I accepted the responsibility. However, I was not expecting that no one will be available to help out with the muscle works. Some of those who pledged have sent their money, some are yet to do the same. I thought I will be able to find a way to fund the target supplies while waiting for the pledges so that part will be fine. However, I will not be able to haul more than a thousand of notebooks, pad papers and other school supplies. I contacted some of my batch mates who I thought will have time to spare but all were busy. The one who was willing to spare time was sick. There is another one who is willing to help but only one is not enough. And, he can only help on the purchasing, not up to the transportation and more.

^{Even if they are not from our batch.}

Buying the supplies alone will need hauling. How much more with the repacking and transportation to the site if I am alone? I will be coming from Metro Manila. Who will transport everything from Baguio City to Zambales? I thought of my elder brothers but they too have their own responsibilities.

^{The hardwork becomes easy with many hands on it.}

Nine days before the date, Maundy Thursday, I made up my mind. I will cancel the program. It will be much easier to return the monies of the donors than trying to kill myself with the responsibility. Who cares if they get disappointed when I am not superwoman? But on that same day, a miracle happened!

^{And groupie is only proper after the tiresome repacking.}

I accidentally met my elder brother's batch mate and had chit chat with her. She was part of the organizing committee for the overall homecoming and I mentioned my dilemma so I will just cancel our outreach program. She said no, it can not be cancelled because it was entered into the overall activity program which was already communicated to the community. Then she asked me what help I would need. I told her and she said she will help. Wow, someone who is not our batch mate will take care of our school supplies! Amazing!

^{Getting ready before the crowd assembles. This is it!}

I spent Black Saturday purchasing what's on my list. On Easter Sunday, I had a batch mate who helped me retrieve the supplies. We deliver them to where my brother's batch mate has recommended. That was when I left everything and came back to Metro Manila.

^{The tarpaulin is serving its purpose. My design is not going to waste after all.}

On 26 April, I travelled to Zambales and found all eleven boxes of school supplies waiting to be repacked. And the tarpaulin was untouched. That was really amazing! Everything has reached the destination about 230 kilometers away without me or anyone from my batch accompanying the supplies.

^{The crowd is starting to grow.}

My three batch mates in elementary who stay in that place were already waiting to help in the repacking. What's more? Two guys who are not part of our batch came to help. One of them just popped up by the door and asked, "how can I help, batch mates?" We all know he is not our batch mate but he claimed and stood for us in the spirit of community service. I was mum but God knows how grateful I was.

^{Thanks to teachers who helped drew the crowd in order.}

The distribution was a little challenging the following day when a few (that's a consolation!) tried to get their way with us. However with the help of others who are not our batch mates and even few of the teachers, everything ended up well and smooth.

^{Without help from others outside our batch, I am sure things would have been much harder but thanks to them. Everything went well.}

Except for bags which were out of our budget, we distributed sets of school supplies to 177 students from day care to grade 12. We were also able to give teaching aids as tokens to 13 teachers who were counted as 14 in terms of the supplies because one of them was handling two grade levels.

^{Again, even if they are not from our batch.}

^{My legs were wobbly of fatigue but the show must go on. There is nothing more important that day than to respond to all smiles of students lining in front of us. And I just kept loving my shirt even if they ran out of my small size. 💖😊💖}

In the evening was the closing program of the homecoming wherein certificates of appreciation were awarded. It was an honor to receive the certificate on behalf of my batch but with all due credits to others outside our batch.

Now here's an ironic part: I am not part of the high school batch '93! Yes, I graduated elementary in that place but our family left right after. Well, the real batch '93 alumni were saying I am their adopted mate. Thanks then for adopting me!

^{Humor of the day. I did not plan to wear the same color of the certificate 😃.}

I was dead tired that evening that I wasn't able to wait for the closing program to finish. I went to bed with all the gratitude that I was able to cross the activity over to its fulfilment. The saying is true. "If it's meant to be, it will be. No matter what." Along with my gratitude 8s a prayer that may the school supplies we distributed will serve their purpose: education for all.

^{I also went to bed with a dream that hopefully next time, the school supplies will be in bags already.}

God bless everyone who helped!

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