Something fulfilling..

Last Friday, the CWTS Officers and Cadets went to Gasa sa Gugma together with our three teachers. Gasa sa Gugma is actually a home for dying destitutes, meaning they provide for the needs of those who needed help. The charity was focused mainly on caring for old people though.

I have never been the type of person who is actively involved with this charity thing so the experience was pretty much exciting. I have been to an orphanage once but this was going to be different because it was going to be the old people that we are going to visit.

We left the school a few minutes after 2 o’clock in the afternoon. A kaoshiong bus transported us to the place. Riding on the bus with the batch has always been fun for me. It is because it is the extension of our bonding. Just a few minutes after, we arrived at the place. It was so silent. I was thinking that I could not survive in that place because it seemed like you are locked up and there is no way out. We still had to wait for instructions from the in-charge who was still talking to some other girls. After waiting, the in-charge told us that they will be having a mass at 3 o’clock. So we decided to meet our “lolos” and “lolas” and accompany them to the chapel.

Meeting them made me feel emotional and others as well. I did not know what to do at first because I was surprised with their situations. Others could not walk already, several even did not care to smile and still some were still filled with hope and joy. I did not want to be emotionally attached to them that is why I just moved from one person to another. Listening to their stories made me teary-eyed. I pity them hearing their stories and their experiences in life. There was this old man who kept on sharing about his wives, children and grandchildren. He also kept on sharing to us about family values. A lot of his stories were confusing though but it made me realized the mistakes I have done in the past. It made me realized the shortcomings I have committed to my grandmother. It reminded me to love her even more because she is still my grandmother whatever happens. There was also this old lady who was so jolly and optimistic despite of the things that are happening around her. I really admire her because of her positive outlook in life. I was really surprised seeing to girls in a crib with problems on their brain. I smiled at them to tell them I was glad to see them, it was so fulfilling to see the other girl smile back. I continued on listening to other stories of the people there.

It was already time to leave because they will be having their dinner already. Dinner will actually be served at 4 o’clock. We were not able to present the presentations we prepared for them because of lack of time. We did not want to destroy their schedule. Even if we were not able to do all the things that we have planned for, it is already enough for me that at least we were able to put smiles on their faces.