Sharing Gifts and Giving Hope through My Dream in A Shoebox

Children from Ascension of Our Lord Parish in Parañaque are all smiles as they receive their dream kits.

Education campaign My Dream In a Shoebox has once again brought cheers and smiles to communities during its recent gift-giving activities. In the last quarter of 2023, volunteers converged at the Ascension of our Lord Parish in Parañaque, joined by partner organizations Genpact and Indian Women in Enterprise Philippines (IWE Philippines).

TeamAsia President and Founder Monette Iturralde-Hamlin conducts a storytelling session for children from the  Ascension of our Lord Parish in Parañaque.

The most recent gift-giving event took place a couple of days before Christmas, with over 500 children in attendance. The day featured games, prizes, and storytelling led by TeamAsia President and Founder Monette Iturralde-Hamlin. Dream kits, containing school supplies collected through the campaign and donated by TeamAsians and other partners, were distributed to the children. There was also delicious and healthy food distributed to the children that was prepared “with love and care” by the IWE Philippines.

“Since 2009, we have been visiting our partner communities, meeting children to hear their stories, and sharing our dream kits. We are thrilled that, after three years, we get to do this again and witness the joy on the faces of the children who receive our little gifts, inspiring them to strive and continue their education,” said TeamAsia Managing Director Bea Lim.

The education campaign continues to adapt to and address the changing and expanding education requirements of Filipino children, particularly through its collaboration with Yellow Boat of Hope. The partnership has raised funds to establish educational hubs in remote areas of the Philippines, supports and sends deserving scholars to schools, and remains committed to fostering meaningful connections, enabling the development of impactful programs that inspire children to stay in school and make their bigger dreams come true.

‘Beacon of hope’

For the past few months, My Dream In a Shoebox has given hope to underprivileged children in several communities in Luzon through its activities.

Children from the Karangalan Cainta Community receive their dream kits

Aside from the one in Parañaque, other beneficiary communities were the Liberty Christian Baptist Church in Pasig, where a total of 675 dream kits were handed out; and the Sto. Nino de Baseco Parish in Manila where 100 dream kits were given out in partnership with the top 100 Filipinos and VB Consulting.

The Payatas Orione Foundation in Quezon City received a total of 530 dream kits, the Christ the King Parish got 500 dream kits, and the San Pedro Calungsod Parish was given 500 dream kits as well.

“My Dream In a Shoebox has become a beacon of hope, illuminating the lives of underprivileged children with moments of joy and endless possibilities. Together, we've sown the seeds of dreams, nurturing a future filled with promise and potential,” said Lim.

The sponsors for these gift-giving activities included TeamAsia, Genpact, Willis Towers Watson, ANZ, Eastern Communications, IWE Philippines, E-Guardian Philippines, and Sandugo Magilas Elite Eagles Club. Willis Towers Watson also donated one educational hub.

SM Cinema Treats Kids to a Free Screening of “The Lion King”

More than 400 children, along with parents and caregivers from the Payatas community in Quezon City, flocked to SM Cinema’s free screening of the much-anticipated live action movie “The Lion King,” held at SM City North EDSA recently.

During the film, kids and kids-at-heart couldn’t help but be amazed by the fascinating effects, characters, and of course, the phenomenal songs from the movie. This once in a lifetime opportunity for some of the underprivileged children in the community, hopes to convey the message that SM is a place for all.

“We always ensure that our corporate social responsibility activities serve as a catalyst for positive change in communities where our cinemas and malls are present. Today, we embark on a simple, yet meaningful step to enjoin the children and families from Payatas Community, to experience the wonderful world of SM,” said Ruby Ann Reyes, SM Cinema Vice President for Corporate Marketing.

SM Cinema, supported by SM Cares, offered this free, exclusive viewing of Disney’s “The Lion King” to indigent families from Payatas, Quezon City as testament to their pledge in supporting communities wherever SM is present.

“We want to provide these kids from the Payatas community a venue where they can discover and develop their love for movies,” added SM’s Ruby Reyes.

Daily Manna Feeding Payatas Community volunteer Gemma Rabe shared that the kids couldn’t contain their excitement over the experience. “Very grateful kami na may ganitong activity ang SM. Talagang excited sila dahil makakatungtong sila sa SM. Makakapasyal sila at makakanuod na rin sa wakas ng movie sa SM,” she said.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Its advocacies include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Environment Sustainability, Senior Citizens, and Overseas Filipino Workers (SM Global Pinoy).

As a responsible integrated property developer, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change in the communities that it supports. To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares or email smcares@smsupermalls.com.