Tsinelas Drive Season 4

It has been 4 years since I started my Tsinelas (slippers) Drive campaign. It started when I learned about a good friend, Jireh, who had been celebrating her birthdays with homeless children and in the home for the aged. I told her that what she was doing was awesome!

I got inspired to do something for my birthday too! Then my yearly Tsinelas drive was born. I would solicit for slippers or ask for donation to purchase slippers. I would pick a school in one of the haciendas in Victorias City. Why here? Because I grew up in this place. And I know that there are a lot of secluded schools in these places. I realized this when I was in high school since we would have outreach programs in these places.  Tsinelas Drive 2009

So this year, I was aiming for 27 people to donate or pledge. (I'll leave it to you why I chose 27.) And every year, I would text and email everyone about this. This year was something new. I posted my cause in Facebook hoping for donations and pledges to arrive and I was not wrong! A lot of people wanted to donate!

We went to Faith Christian School in Hacienda Luisa in Victorias City. The area is just in front of the Coliseum. I was with Jude and Soi. When we got to the place, the Head Teacher, Ms. Arlene, greeted us and welcomed us into their humble school. All the students followed and greeted us too. I told them our names and why we were there. I told them how grateful I was. And we started unpacking all the slippers that we brought. I could see the anticipation from everyone.

with Soi and Jude

On our way to the school

unpacking...

With Teachers Arlene (in blue) and Ailene (in white)

The students helped in unpacking everything and rounding them up at the center. They even formed A - C - E!!! I was smiling! We started with the preschoolers. Everyone else were excited while they waited for their turn. Everyone had a new pair and yet we still had a lot to give. We called the children who were watching the activity so they may choose theirs as well.

spell ACE?

Preschool students ready to fit a pair

Everyone was excited as they tried the slippers on to check which one would be a snug fit. We didn't stay long since we were expected in the meeting of our Rotarians in Bacolod. After everyone got their slippers, I still had 2 pairs of Dupe (I had 5 pairs courtesy of Mariel.) So we had a mini dance showdown! When we ended the activity, not everyone was there for the photo op but those who stayed behind, gathered for our group picture.

Dance showdown

Just a few of them who stayed for the group picture

I would like to thank my friends who helped out in this year's project:

Mariel Genito of Islandscape Inc, distributor of Ipanema and Dupe

Glady Tomulto of Experience Negros! 

Marvi Pioquinto

Sharon Flores

Mikay Manaloto

Cheryl Choresca

Valeen Solancho

Jen Valladolid

Soi Cañete

Jude Quingco

and to anonymous donors

Thank you so much!

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