[kaffee]

Hello friends,

Here's the background:
My cousins and I had some closet-cleaning activities back in January yet, and they, being lawyers, were giving away some conference bags which I asked for. Most were unused. I told them that the bags would have happy recipients among members of a community my associates and I have committed to help.

We then turned over the bags (about 8 pcs total, 6 from my cousins, 2 from myself) in February to our contact for him to give to members of his organization, specifically for school use.

We just came back from the community after conducting a workshop and am pleased to say that our contact had kept the bags since, and were used as prizes for those chosen as best participants in the workshop.

Our recipients are mostly high school-level students in Barangay Pula, Asipulo, Ifugao, and are children of farmers, or are, themselves farmers (Asipulo is frequently indexed as a fifth-class municipality). They help in the ecology projects of their area and volunteer in their municipality projects when they can.

The students have a high achievement rate in school, which makes the donation even more rewarding. We've been to the community twice and, in the first instance, noticed that the majority of the youth walk to school (hike is more like it) for 30 minutes to an hour, some with shopping bags as school bags. This year, there will be six youngsters going back to school in June with bags that will keep their books and things dry. In total, four of these youths have just finished high school and we saw them try out for college entrance exams last week.

I believe Philmug is a community of professionals who are frequent attendees to conferences and who take home some freebies from these. Would any of the PhilmuGgers have some bags to spare?

I am specifically referring to the shoulder/portfolio type of bags that hold conference paraphernalia, made usually of water repellent material, with conference details printed on them. These are the type of bags that I was able to collect and which we gave away recently. Old, 'out-of-fashion' laptop bags will do as well, as what I personally have given.

Our recipients do not mind what are printed on the bags. They are just too happy to have something to hold and protect their things, free their hands for other stuff and generally make going to school and studying a little easier.

As Asipulo is mountainous, material that repels water is preferred, but any hold-it-alls are welcome. Other unused school and office paraphernalia (for their organization) are welcome, too.

We are to go back there on the last week of May for the second part of our workshop and additional volunteer work, and will be bringing the bags with us.

I can arrange for pick-up of the bags from your place/place of work but since we have limited sources as well, would also prefer that the location be within Metro Manila (i.e. Pasay being the farthest south; Caloocan, north; Cainta, east and Manila west). I am from Quezon City. You may send me an email through my profile for other inquiries.

Thanks all in advance.

With appreciation,

K

[super_ed]

Wow this is great! Kudos Kaffe for this wonderful endeavor. I'll see if I can gather conference bags here.

Got a name for the project? Please create a blog so its easy to mobilize resources and networks

/m

[picoy]

will try to check with our merchandising department will inform you ASAP

[penmanila]

terrific idea. let me see if i can turn up something.

[Treb22]

Same here, im no lawyer but i think i can find something useful for them.

[achtungbaby]

Hey K, great idea, indeed. I may not be of help, but gogogo!!! A very humble and rewarding experience for you.

Keep it up!

[coolpix32]

this is a very noble idea and a worthy cause. i'll echo this to my family and friends.

[Macmon]

will check my cabinet

[freelancer]

I have loads in storage at home! This is such a great idea. I mean they're wonderfully sturdy bags so nakakahinayang itapon, pero hindi naman bagay sa outfit. I'll spread the word!

[hungryalien]

do you have a drop-off point?