A View from the Heart

Last November 8, 2008 we had our MADAGASCAR project held at TRINOMA. It was a celebration of kinship and friendship - many borne out of personal history and affiliation. But the web of support weaved from these relationships for The Kolisko School and the children were borne from each one's heart, moved by the call to help.

The 200+ children and their teachers/guide/parents from partner communities were there because of the choices people made to help. Thank you for those choices...you have blessed the children and The Kolisko School.

Special Thanks to the Ninong and Ninang of The Kolisko School -

World Chicken
Theresa & Chris Bech's Bobon Beach Resort (Bobon, Eastern Samar)
Roberto Dumaual
Jose Sevilla and Liwanag Candles
Navarro Family

And A BIG HEART-FILLED THANK YOU to the the Ninong and Ninang of the children -

Assumption HS Batch 1982 (Chiqui, Connie, Tinet, Michelle M., Michelle G, Beth, Marissa)
Lazatin Family (Mela and her sisters)
Philamcare Information Techonology Group
Nancy's RRJ Apparel
DLS-CSB SDEAS and COSCA friends (Matt, Dhonn, Oca, Toni, Ria, Ferdi, Bobby Du, Tin, Candy & Alfie)
PAGASA Friends (Chiqui, Paula, Bob, Jason)
TeamEnergy Friends (Ethel, Cathy, Atty Factor, Joyce, Ambo)
Atty Grace Andres
PJ Construction
Marissa Raquiza
Margie Tajon
Atty Rose Alberto
George Chiu

Carol Mercado

Arlene Artajo

Gayia Beyer

Pogs Yalung and Friends
Dr. Elmer and Helen Fernando
Friends of Malou & Robert Medrano (Dr. Tere, Camara, Dr. V, Arlene)
Hannah Arena and her friends (Cherry, Geoff, Ms. Ui, Bluethumb team, Lloydee)
Friends of Noemi Jara (Kenny, Romi, Sam, Mildred, Henry)
Tes and Ed Sobeng
Simon and Izza Pascual

The happy children and their parents/guides/teachers came from the following partner communities and organizations -

HOPE Worldwide Foundation
KIDS Foundation
BATINO Elementary School (Deaf Program)
Bo. Obrero Elementary School (Deaf and exceptional children)
Laura Vicuan Drop-in center for streetchildren
Drop-in Center for streetchildren managed by Don Bosco Salesian Sisters

Special thanks to all the family and friends of KoFE and The Kolisko School who all helped to make this project successful. The strength of numbers only made a difference because each one of you took to heart the call. Thank you.

Thanks to Allan Velasco and Jason Quiones. Your pictures will make it possible for the children to reach their ninongs and ninangs. You may find them here

Again, thank you to all our friends and family, our ninongs and ninangs. Writing this message made me feel once again the heartwarming kindness that overflowed those weeks of searching that made November 8 a truly special day for all of us. Thank you sooo much for giving each of us the chance to be blessed by God through you. May you be blessed, always.

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To celebrate the National Heroes Day 2008, KoFE will be hosting Gunner Inglorious a one-man performance of Michael Burton. This show is based on a personal account of Jim Henderson, war veteran and novelist, who at age 22 served as a gunner sent to fight for his country in the 2^nd World War. This one-man-play has been performed a total of 106 times mostly in New Zealand, and the last three performances shown recently in Davao. This unique performance takes the audience to live through the events as they occur – the squalor, the agony, the futility of war, but also the ability of the human spirit to find humour and heroism in the midst of adversity.

The benefit show will be on the eve of National Heroes Day November 29, 2008, Saturday at Bantayog ng mga Bayani at 230pm and 430pm. Come and join us as we give honor to those who have been casualties of war and serve as a prayer for peace and the abolition of warfare. Email admin.kolisko.school@gmail.com or text 0917-6048725

Send A Child to Watch Madagascar Escape 2 Africa

The Kolisko Foundation for Education (KoFE) is holding a Block Screening of MADAGASCAR ESCAPE 2 AFRICA the movie. KoFe hopes to help the following kids to enjoy the movie on November 8, 2008 4pm at Trinoma. We hope to send 25-30 kids from each of the groups below. As of this morning, we have now 74 kids who will get a chance to watch the show. Seventy-six (76) more tickets to go!!

So far the background of our beneficiary groups for the sponsored tickets are:

1. HOPE Worldwide - will be sending 10-15 year old abused kids from their center in Payatas who are undergoing therapy
2. KIDS Foundation - a young non-profit org that helps disadvantaged youth
3. Brgy. Paltok Urban Poor Kids
4. Bahay Bata 127 Deaf Kids from Payatas
5. Batino Elementary School Deaf Kids
6. Bo. Obrero Elementary School Deaf Kids and Exceptional Kids

More organizations are on standby if there are more people willing to sponsor the tickets of the kids. Most of these kids live in really marginalized conditions - either they have been excluded from society by virtue of their disability, economic conditions or due to abuse and neglect of significant others.

This may be their only chance to watch a movie, or go to a mall, or step inside Trinoma! This may be one of the rare opportunities for them to feel that the world is not cruel, that there are kind people, even strangers, who care for them. Help us find more people who may be able to help increase the number of kids to enjoy this show. Through your help we will be able to give them this rare opportunity and in the process contribute to help save their childhood.

A ticket only costs Php350 to give a child a chance to enjoy the day on November 8 and watch the well loved MADAGASCAR movie. P1,000 to send 3. P3,000 to send 9 kids and P5,000 to send 15 kids.

Company sponsors are welcome and we can publicly acknowledge your contribution on site and in our blogs and future newsletters if at least 30 or more kids can be sponsored. This is a tiny little project that may never reach media or high society pages. But I know that isn't important to you. However, this will be a memorable moment for these kids who will have this grand experience only because you made it possible.

Please make check payable to: KOLISKO FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION. I can also arrange for a pick up if necessary. Just let me know where and when.

You may also deposit the check or cash to CHINA BANK Shaw Blvd Branch. Email me or text me date and time of deposit so we can well account it in our record books.

ACCOUNT NAME - Kolisko Foundation for Education (KoFE)
ACCOUNT TYPE - Current Account
ACCOUNT No - 131-077781-5

So Why Are We Doing This?

As a backgrounder - Kolisko Foundation for Education or KoFE is an initiative of a group of parents and friends who so wish to contribute to Heal Our Land through education, care for the environment and wellness of individuals and communities.

Of burning desire to us is to make Steiner/Waldorf Education accessible to as many children from middle to lower income groups. We have one such school - The Kolisko School for Steiner Education at #10 Alabama St. Brgy Kristong Hari, E. Rodgriguez. (More info here and here)

We are doing fund raising project for two things. One is provide support to The Kolisko School and its children (through our KEAP project or click here for more information).

Two, to reach out to our partner communities and share our blessings through short term projects such as MGA KUWENTO NI LOLA BASYANG (check it here ) and this MADAGASCAR project. Long term direction may eventually involve subsidizing some of the children from these partner communities to study in The Kolisko School for Steiner Education. Or even creating more Steiner/Waldorf schools for these children.

There are more ways to help. Let me know if you are interested to walk with us in our journey. The possibilities are endless.... ;-)

But for now thank you, thank you to each of you who have made it a point to help. Each ticket helps a beneficiary child to enjoy this great movie experience AND helps us in our work in The Kolisko School.

Come and visit The Kolisko School one of these days and see the fruits of many hands who shared many gifts. I quote from an article I wrote earlier on here -

And as you visit us one time, pass by the hallways, the rooms and the garden. Listen to the voices and bask at the smiles of the children and adults who come your way. Feel, smell, see and touch the beauty created by helping hands of caring individuals who have made an imprint on every seen and unseen creation in this place.

You know that weaved in its very essence is a gift of Your Love. Thank you Dear Friends (relatives included!). Your Light burns brightly! And every ray that shines through brings forth blessings that unfold a thousand gifts! May this message Bless You Too!!

I am sure blessed to know you are one of those who made things possible. ;-)