School supplies, shoes, clothes, bicycles, and toys among others were distributed to them this morning at the Convention Center.

The goods were based on the wish lists they had written on star-shaped papers during their Christmas Party last year entitled “Pasko na Tacloban, Magrisyo Kita” .

The children were chosen as beneficiaries since they come from far-flung areas hardly reached by various kinds of assistance.

The star-shaped papers were displayed at the DSWD Central Office during the  63^rd Anniversary of the Department in January.

Around 98 DSWD employees took interest of the kids’ wishes and sponsored some of the gifts.

On the other hand, philantropist Manuel Chua of Tulay Foundation offered P1 million for the children’s gifts.

Judy Chua of  the same foundation flew here to join the gift distribution.

She related how they came up with the idea of how to spend their donation.

“DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman  showed us the wish lists of the children and told us that she wants these fulfilled. Hence, we decided to spend our cash donation for the children’s wishes,” Chua recounted.

The children and their parents were delighted of their gifts.

Nilo Cinco, 9, from Barangay 101 New Kawayan who received a bicycle expressed, “Damu nga salamat. Gamiton ko ini na bike tikadto ha skwelahan (Thank you very much. I will ride the bike in going to school).”

Leonesa Lucion, 37, from Brgy. 103 Paglaum whose daughter, Angelica, received clothes said, “Nagpapasalamat ako nga an wish han ak anak kay natuman. Salamat ha mga donors (I am grateful that my daughter’s wish came true. Thanks to those who donated gifts).”

The activity aimed to continuously give hope especially to the children and encourage them to rebuild their lives and dream on.

DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program managed the project and organized the gift distribution. ###