Touching People's Lives

For the past two years our daughter Bim has been involved with a temporary shelter for girls and young women who are in crisis – those coping with trauma of sexual abuse, maltreatment, sexual exploitation, unwanted pregnancy and or conflict with the law. Marilac Hills, as the shelter is called has been around since 1915. Our daughter goes there once or twice a month to do creative fun activities with them (painting, baking, sports and crafts) She arranges for volunteer instructors and food during her visits. She normally asks donations from family and friends to cover the cost of materials and food for the day.
Every summer and Christmas season Bim arranges an outing for a group of Marilac girls with their supervisors. Last summer she arranged for such an outing, and asked us for donations to cover the expenses, so we gladly gave her money. To support our daughter in her apostolate we joined them at the outing. During the outing we were just observing what was going on and made sure that everything went well that day. What struck me on that day was the way Bim was spending her time with them. She was talking to some of them, playing with them, and was really involved with them throughout the day. I could see how the young girls were enjoying every moment of it, and so was our daughter. One could tell that they truly were building a bond. I was certain that in her simple way, Bim was making a difference in their lives -- they were experiencing some of the love which they really needed. I was so proud of my daughter!

















Last Saturday, Bim was again with them to celebrate her birthday. After lunch the girls had prepared a program for her, which included an impromptu tribute which brought her to tears. One of the girls who was soon leaving the shelter to go back home to Bacolod shared how much Bim had touched her life. She said she would always remember her for loving and caring for them, and how she enjoyed being with her.
I spent some money in contributing to the expenses for that day, but I don’t think these children will remember me or say the same things about me. I don’t think I have made a difference in their lives. Bim, however, has made a lot of difference in these people’s lives not because she spent money for them but because she cared enough to “spend” herself with them. I think helping people financially is great but being able to “spend” oneself with the people we are helping and trying to understand them leaves a more lasting impression in their lives, and in ours.