Make a difference
Charity provides resident with a way to help less fortunate children
By GIBBS LUKOSKIE
For The Vista
As I was sitting on the small outrigger boat being ferried back from a remote island in the Philippines, I reflected back to 28 years ago when I was an up-and-coming yacht broker just starting to make my mark in that industry with my first big yacht sale.
One of my business partners, who was my junior by 20 + years, said to me;“Gibbs now that you are making decent money you should spread it around a bit”.
My reply was,” Well I plan to buy a new car and motorcycle and a few other things.”
His response was, “That’s not what I mean. Spread your good fortune to where it can actually make a difference. “
What are you talking about?” I said. He asked me if I had ever given to charity. Since I had never thought much about doing something like that, I asked him what he had in mind?
I was doing decent in the income department but had always thought charities were something only very wealthy people did and I was sure I couldn’t afford to be that generous. I guess I was looking for some excuse not to give anything.
He told me that he noticed how I would go out and get a coffee at least 2-3 times a day. He said he had a way I could improve my health and also make a lasting impact on a child’s life who is living in abject poverty.
“How”? I wanted to know.
He said by simply drinking only 2 coffees a day instead of 3 and taking that dollar each day and donating it to a very worthwhile children’s charity called Plan International. Actually back in those days it was called Foster Parents Plan.
He went on further to say that this charity was started in 1937 and provides clean water, schools, clinics, educational support and disaster management to over 1.5 million children in over 70 countries including the USA.
Wow !! Such a small amount can actually do that much? There is power in numbers he said.
So thus 28 years ago, I began sponsoring poverty stricken children in far off lands. I have sponsored kids in Dominican Republic, Guatemala and the last 12 years or so, it’s been children of The Philippines. I finally decided to focus on The Philippines because they have western values and English is their second language making it easier to communicate with the kids as they grow older and are going through school. Some of the kids in the Plan International program go on to college and become productive citizens and help their families break out of poverty. This never would have happened without help. Education makes a big difference.
Last year, I came to the realization that I’m not getting any younger and I made the decision to actually go and visit the 2 kids ( Melanie age 8 and Razel age 18) I have been sponsoring. I flew halfway around the world. It was a 24-hour trip each way.
My visit and the logistics upon arrival were arranged by the local Plan Int. office. It couldn’t have been any smoother. I flew to LA, then via Seoul Korea, to Cebu Philippines then to a small city called Tacloban (hit by the largest typhoon to ever make landfall on the planet 3 years ago).
Plan staff picked me up at Tacloban airport and drove me 2-1⁄2 hours to a smaller city called Catbalogan where they gave me an introductory briefing about my visit as we sat and ate fresh fruit.
Early morning the next day they picked me up at my hotel and from there a 2-hour boat trip to the Island of Darman. I must say I did have some jet lag due to the 13-hour time difference.
As the boat arrived at The island of Darman I was given a royal welcome by the kids and their parents. They even placed garlands on my neck that the kids had made. I met the families … got a tour of the facilities that Plan had built and had lunch with the families and the mayor of the village. WOW!What a wonderful experience it was to meet these kids and be invited to their home to see how they live.
We are so fortunate in this country and I know that much of the time I take it for granted. This trip really woke me up. I plan to go back.
Example….Clean water. A simple thing we take for granted here is a big deal in many places in the world. In this case, Plan put in a pipeline to a water source up high on the hill side so that the villagers no longer had to make the long trek to carry jerry jugs of water a couple of miles each day. I felt good that my small “buck a day” contribution helped provide it.
Some other people have indicated an interest in sponsoring through this charity too. I heartily recommend it. I was reluctant at first too but I can tell you it is one of the best things I have done. And I sure do look forward to communicating with the kids. In fact, if you sponsor kids in the same village as me, I will visit with them next time I go and take some pictures for you.
Plan International Worldwide is located in Warwick RI https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4337
If sponsoring in the Philippines makes sense to you, give Ms. Marissa DiGioia a call and tell her I sent you. Let her know you want a child from the same village and I will take pics of your kids for you next time I go there. There are 70 countries you can choose from.
Call 401 562 8459 or email [email protected] Plan Int. main website .. https://plan-international.org/#. Or email me at [email protected] if you have further questions about my trip or want to see pics.