Meet Jennelyn

This is our  Jennelyn, only girl of 6 kids.  Her father a construction worker and her mother a food vendor.
She started with FLAG this year ( I wish we had found her sooner). Like all the other students, she will start from the basics - reading, writing, religion.  Rather than spending her day roaming the dangerous streets of Manila, she is in the care of our FLAG team. I'm sure she is having a great time and already has her BFF's.

I wonder what she wants to be when she grows up? Does she have favorite toy? Does she even have one? Questions I have and I know will get answered when I visit her. Can't wait.

Jennely, brother and her dad ( yes that's their house)  

This is where Jennelyn will spend her days from now on (recess)

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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When you give, you shall receive

Dedicating this blog to Connexions Ministries

For the past year and a half, our school has been functioning with only my husband and I. We have received generous donations in forms of cash, gently used clothing, canned goods and other items  in order for the school to operate.  We grew from 15 girls to 23 as of June 2011. Most recently, an overwhelming donation was given to us and we are overjoyed. With this donation, it will help with at least a month and a half of our expenses.  Some of you have commented on how to help, you can send me an email to monica.vera@flagphil.com . I know we are virtual friends and there are cynicisms around donations especially monetary, we understand.  We will run the school no matter what but our limitations are only within 23 students, our goal is have more and eventually have a bigger school. That goal requires donations.  I do believe in Karma, bad and good so you decide and how you can help.  If you are already helping other charities, that is fantastic! You are already saving a life.

To Connexions Ministries ( based in North York, Ontario, Canada)

We thank you for your generosity! From the F.L.A.G team

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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Shared Birthdays are OKAY !

Imagine our children having to share their birthdays with their siblings? I don't think we can imagine doing such a thing.  How about putting 2 names in one birthday cake? Not gonna happen. 

Here at F.L.A.G, we celebrate birthdays with all the girls who celebrate within the same month.  These girls  never celebrated their birthdays, not even just a cake to make a wish.  When you see these precious photos, no need for balloons, loot bags, not even gifts. For them they are grateful enough they get to celebrate their birthdays with everyone for the first time.

Maligayang Bati ! ( Happy Birthday in Tagalog) to Roseanne and Clariss

This is the first time Roseanne and Clarisse will share this day and make their first birthday wish.  I hope they had a great time and that cake looks soooo good!

Sharing this special day with their friends. 

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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We can't help everyone, but we can help Clarisse

Someone once said, "We can't everyone, but we can definitely help someone".  That someone is one of our girls, her name is Clarisse. Please click on the link and you can join Clarisse and her mom on their way home after school.  This is where they live together with dad and 3 other siblings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jn_IfdZ85Q.( copy and paste the link )

What you have witnessed is one room with 2 adults and 4 children living in that tiny space.  It is heartbreaking to see the type of conditions they are in however this is common in most places in the Philippines.  With both parents uneducated and unemployed, they are unable to send their older children to school. We want to stop that cycle of poverty starting with Clarisse. I'm sure every little girl has a dream of a pretty dress, doll maybe a new hairclip. Our dream for Clarisse is finish her education and one day she can fulfill her dream.

If you would like to know how to help, you can visit our website www.flagphil.com or email me monica.vera@flagphil.com


You can definitely help someone.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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Blogger's block

I have not updated my blog since last Wednesday.  Although I love to read  cutsy blogs, fashion blogs. Those lighten up my day and put a smile on my face from time to time.  What I really love to write is about our girls back home.  We stay connected with our team quite often but it's not the same when you are actually there.

I love to write what I am passionate about - helping these girls and hopefully helping more.  I recently watched this documentary of the quality of education back in the Philippines.  My heart was broken and start to be angry, sorry and sad.  I'm finding the right time to share that story to you and also think about how my audience will react.


I hope this blogger's block won't last very long, cause I do have a lot of things to say...

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again. Please visit our website and facebook page.

Hugs,

Monica

www.flagphil.com

www.facebook.com/flaphilippines

Her name is Lola..

Well we call her our 'Lola' - Lola is tagalog for Grandmother. Our grandmother is turned 92 yesterday. I'm dedicating this issue of my blog to her.  I was the oldest of the 6 grandchildren on my dad's side ( all girls !) One of the reason why I didn't take my husband's last name.  I have been told that her grandmothers lived to over 100 years old. Yikes, not sure if I want to live that long. I will enjoy this life for now , thanks very much!

She is growing old gracefully, very healthy and sharp.  We brought male dancers last year to the home and had a blast! Sorry, can't share the pics to you guys :) She was there for me when I needed her when I was a young mom raising my boys.  Thank you Lola!

Cheers to my Lola ! Happy Birthday and live the best life!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

Monica

We are now a CHARITY !

After a year and a  half wait,  the Ontario Government has granted our school the charitable recognition it deserves.  We are now able to host events and fund raise to help more underprivileged girls back in the Philippines.  It will be a lot of work but it will be worth it.  This picture was taken from our first graduation last March 2011.  7 out of the 15 girls have passed the assesment and are attending the regular public school system.  We have taken 8 more girls since then. Our goal is help educate, empower and enrich the lives of as many girls in the Philippines for as long as we can.

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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Meet Faith

Her name is Faith. How wonderful her mother named her Faith. The meaning of Faith is our belief and loyalty to God. Most Filipinos are Catholic some devoted, some are not. For whatever divine intervention, Faith ended up with us. I'm honored to have her and can't wait to meet her.

Faith is born with a handicapped, one of her legs is supported with a steel brace. Both her parents are also unemployed and therefore can't afford to send her to school.


I thank God for sending this angel down to us and watch out world, Faith will rise above her limits!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again,

Hugs,

The F.L.A.G team

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