Community

LiFELiNE FOUNDATiON, under the supervision of Summer Camp Project Coordinator Dorothy Alforque, held its annual summer camp program from Sunday, May 23 until Thursday, May 27, 2010. Lifeline summer camp’s kick off was a drum jam session with seasoned drummers David and Donna Esteban at the BF park Sunday afternoon. Thirty-five kids joined the activity and went home having learned basic rhythms using regular five gallon water bottles donated by Aquali Pure.

From Monday to Thursday, 8:30am-11:30am, kids from ages 10-12 met at a property of Councilor Beng Amurao’s located along Aguirre Street, BF Homes Paranaque. The children were taught lessons in conversation, discipline and basic cleanliness as they enjoyed the different activities. The boys learned how to make kites, while the girls had fun making beaded bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. They also made notebooks out of recycled paper and had a good time making pastillas and polvuron. Later on, they were also given a short lesson on how to take care of animals with Animal Welfare’s furry friends, Bubba and Jaloux. For their culminating activity led by Coach Janssen Dawana, those in the drum sessions from day one painted their makeshift drums as well as had one of their drum sessions put on Youtube. It was a delight to see their faces light up with each activity, as each one participated and was given the freedom to express his thoughts.

LiFELiNE FOUNDATiON summer camps are created specifically for the children in the Satellite School Program. It is solely for the encouragement of the children’s artistic expression, as well as to give them, at the very least, a few days in the summer where they feel like they’re special and are heard out. Children need to know that they are not just ‘seen and not heard’; it is important to recognize a child’s abilities and to praise him for it. Studies have shown that a child does better in the classroom when a teacher or an adult praises him or her for their efforts. There is an old song that goes like this–”I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside; give them a sense of pride to make it easier…” Believe it or not, these are not merely the words to a song. Whitney Houston, among many others, voiced out concerns and hopes that many parents have in raising their kids today. LiFELiNE aims to provide an environment where children are shaped into solution-finding and creative individuals.