A Special Season

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be

 and you help them to become what they are capable of being." 

-Goethe

Vilma Bravo and Lilia Tuason

Earlier this year a new, bi-monthly magazine was launched in Dumaguete. It is a beautifully assembled magazine and it's name is DAYON,  the brain-child of Edilberto 'Burt' Bravo whose desire was to share his appreciation of the unique qualities inherent in the people and environment of Dumaguete and Siquijor Island.  Wisely, he chose his sister, Vilma, and her equally talented friend, Lilia, to give substance and shape to his vision...and luckily for us at the two Bright Lights Community Learning Centers, our supportive friend at GuavaTel, Fred Dael, immediately put Velma in touch with us!  

What makes DAYON stand out from other glossy magazines is not just the photography, but the humanistic quality of writing:  there is never any doubt that these two women are genuinely interested in, and stimulated by, everyone they meet.  In September they visited the two BLCLC's and, appreciative of our need for support, the November /December's Christmas issue featured us along with other worthy causes during this Season of Giving.  

In addition, Vilma has not only generously promised to send a PDF copy of the article so we can post it to our blogs, but in parting donated a stack of educational materials and her own digital camera to the students! Lilia, bless her soul, taking copious notes about our land needs before returning to Manila, was equally generous in offering her expertise to us, for writing grant proposals.

We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful circle of friends who are 
helping us to become all that we are capable of being.

(Please select 'FULL SCREEN' icon above, to read the article)

Halelujah!

 Many of us think we are different. 

But few believe they can make a difference.  

 --Suhasini Paul

Every year since the first Christmas was celebrated by One Candle Schoolhouse students, Patricia and Alan Lucas have sent gifts for the children, gifts selected over the previous months as Patricia came upon items she felt were right for each of the students she'd come to know through emails and this blog. When OCS evolved into the two Bright Lights Community Learning Centers, and the enrollment grew beyond those children she knew, other ways of supporting us were found.  Last year their financial donation made possible a feast for the student's Christmas Party.  This year, learning of the Livelihood Program of Hand-Painted T-shirts that had begun (2TKTees), Patricia ordered fifteen, individually designed, Philippine Flora and Fauna shirts for every member of her family: 

Oh Diane,
We arrived in Point Clare late yesterday and Kevin appeared almost straight away with your/our parcel! It was a wild moment to open the glory box and exclaim as I took each one out! They are beautiful each and every one, she (and you) have excelled in producing such gifts for all our family. I can't praise you enough I am so excited and can't wait to hear how they are received. I will try and include a photo I took of the quote from your email with a photo of Shane Mae which I will include with the shirts when I wrap them.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
My love overflows,
Patricia

2 sent to Italy

7 of the 15 in Australia

Support on Facebook

Tata Stack is an imp; a mischievous, spot-on observer of humanity, sparklingly intellectual conversationalist, and a passionately loyal advocate for anyone who has a cause. Annabelle Lee-Adriano introduced Tata & Simon to the work of Bright Lights Community Learning Centers and immediately Tata began organizing a fund-raising campaign.  Tata and Simon are truly special friends.  Here is the link to her generous project: 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tatas-Designer-Bags-and-Shoes-Sale/181847211896531

...and here is a quick link to a post for Simon, on the Learning Center's blog:  http://wp.me/plKNg-7I

...plus only a few photos of his numerous projects in his weekly help as a Guest Teacher: