Sharing an hour, saving a life

As its name implies, Children’s Hour taps individuals, employees and corporations to donate at least an hour of their earnings once a year to fund programs and projects that improve the welfare and well-being of disadvantaged children. An hour once a year may seem a small sum, but increased numbers and high volume of donors in participating corporations can make a substantial amount. All the contributions coming from partner corporations have enabled Children’s Hour, Philippines, Inc. to fund about 425 projects and help almost half a million Filipino children since the campaign began in 1999.

“This is a beautiful concept as it teaches Filipinos, especially children, the value of giving and sharing. In a world that is constantly changing, it is good to impart the lesson that we are all responsible for one another – the strong should help the weak, the haves should share with the have-nots, adults should look after the welfare of children. Children’s Hour enhances the culture of giving for right causes among Filipinos,” said Teresita Villacorta, executive director of Children’s Hour Philippines, Inc.

Among the thousands of children already assisted through Children’s Hour, two cases stand out. There is Elai, once a sickly foster child who seemed to have a very slim chance for adoption. Elai’s batchmates had all been chosen and adopted but she waited for someone to pick her. Now a healthy six-year-old, Elai has better hopes for the future. In collaborative efforts with Children’s Hour, Parenting Foundation matched Elai with adoptive parents who have given her a “forever home.”

There is Armando, a victim of the 2006 Leyte landslide which buried his native village and his clan except him and his mother. After coordinated efforts, Children’s Hour has committed that he and other 55 other children from his village will attend school until they finish high school.

So who are helping children cope with life’s scourges? It’s people from all walks of life.

There is Bernie Liu who has given not only contributions of his company and merchandise but has given time to the cause. As president and chief executive officer of Golden ABC, he also participated in the I am Ninoy project by producing Penshoppe shirts designed to get the attention of the youth and influence them to become heroes like Ninoy. Liu chose Children’s Hour as recipient of the proceeds of the project. He not only raises funds through his personal ventures, he encourages people around him, like his dealers and suppliers, to help in the cause. He also gives extra time by being on the Children’s Hour Board of Trustees.

Christian Bautista, a government employee from Mandaluyong City, is in the Children’s Hour roster of donors. “I was watching a movie sometime in 2008 when I saw an ad of Children’s Hour. I knew I had to be involved,” he said. He called the Children’s Hour office right away and has been a regular donor ever since.

Umar Maniku’s parents taught him early on the values of sharing. Since 2005, he has been sending some savings to Children’s Hour, and on his last birthday, he encouraged his Grade 5 classmates to donate to Children’s Hour in lieu of presents.

There is Tony Par, a museum associate/technician at Ayala Museum who pledged a monthly donation to Children’s Hour for as long as he is employed at Ayala Foundation.

And then there is Fenton Chua, who transmits money through the Citibank Auto-Debit Program. Losing his credit card one day, he took time to call Children’s Hour to inform the staff that he is arranging to continue his donation.

Christine and Dennis Concio are parents of schoolchildren and they know that there are thousands of children out there who do not have access to education. As parents, helping educate other children is a cause close to their hearts.

Some people have devised creative ways to be of help to children. They buy Children’s Hour shirts and shopping bags and distribute them to riends. They also volunteer and share their time and skills. For instance, Genpact Philippines gave a series of English proficiency training for CH project partners in the Child Start Bata Schools, helping some 32 teachers there enhance their diction and grammar.

Remembering children on their special day, some marrying couples like Mike and Aileen Guillermo, Luigi and Mae Lacson and RJ and Kat Pesigan donated money intended for their wedding souvenirs to Children’s Hour.

“I read about Children’s Hour in a magazine and decided to help out,” says Chinggay Buenviaje. A young IT employee of Accenture, she has been helping organize the Children’s Hour database and support other IT needs.

Remember the song that goes: “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world?” Children’s Hour donors are indeed lucky people and they spread their luck to needy children.

For more information, call 894-1663 or email askchildrenshour.org.ph.