Make a difference, change a life

I just got my recent job as a fundraiser for World Vision.  They called me up for a group interview where I have met similar people like me who advocate children's rights.   It was my first group interview and I really didn't know what to do but I guess my intuition as an occupational therapist guided me through it.  I just thought that since this was called a "group" interview, they might look for someone who can blend well with the group.  Not one who outshines others but someone who brings out everyone's potentials.  I most certainly did not expect for them to call me, really.  I mean, the people I've met and worked with during the interview were amazing!  They had incredible conversation skills unlike me who stuttered a lot.  I was really really awkward!  But I thought, heck!  I'll just do my best next time.  And I did get much comfortable answering questions afterwards. At that point, I just wanted them to know me as plain as day so, I was really honest and upfront with my answers.  When I got back home, they had already called to give me the good news.  \\(@^0^@)//

So, all of the fundraisers were called for training on October 31st - Halloween.   We got to meet our own team and the other teams who are stationed to malls in different places in British Columbia.  Hundreds of us were interviewed but only around sixty (60) people were there.  Woah!  That's when I realized the gravity of the competition during the interview.  Talk about delayed reaction.  I don't even know if I can even say it was a "delayed reaction".  It was too far off.  Anyway, I had a lot of fun during the training.  I can proudly say that our team had the coolest name ever!!!

GRINCH BUSTERS

We'll make your heart grow three sizes!

Making a difference one child at a time

Two days into the job and I'm doing good.  Getting as much feedback as I can and trying out all the techniques Team Leader Kirsten has told me.  It was awesome!  I've had great conversations with people and I'm getting more comfortable with doing the "Pitch" although, I still am having a problem with my words.  Dang you Brodmann's Area 44 and 45!  Can't get my words right.  I'm probably going to have to work on reinforcing appropriate responses to train my flexibility in communication.  Getting comfortable with the language one step at a time.  Although, I am getting a lot of feedback from co-fundraisers and random people I've talked to that I don't sound new at all.   I tell them that sometimes when I speak Filipino for a great deal and if I hear Filipino accent, I do catch that pretty fast.  On another note, I don't let it get to my head much and just do my best with every stop I make.  After all, it's not about how good you speak or the money you get from this job.  It's about getting these kids a Christmas to look forward to.  A day when they can readily go to school and not have to pick trash for a living.  Evenings when they can actually sleep with food in their bellies.  It's about changing their lives with just a dollar a day.  It's about acting now to be the difference in this apathetic world.  I may not be ridding the world of poverty today but planting altruistic seeds in people's hearts is already starting a movement.  A movement that perhaps can lead us to a world closer to a dream.

Ate Korina and me at the booth with our little angels \\(@^0^@)//

Team Leader Kirsten with me yey!  Thanks for Chris who took the picture  (@^-^@)

I feel really honored.  Being chosen gave me more confidence.  You'll really never know what will happen if you've never tried.  And you know what? Just believing in yourself accounts to a lot.  Hoping to spread my passion to every people I meet and make them part of the change.  

OTSA Constitution

Today, the OTSA officers had a meeting in MOA and I was late for like 30 minutes (I think?). I should've really estimated the time when I left the apartment. One should always leave time for natural delays (e.g. stuck train) I kind of ran to the meeting place, which was Cheesecake Cafe by the way. There were only four (4) of us available at that time and I was kind of sad that we were so few. I ought to ask where were the others but I held back my question. What if they were late as well? But when it came to me when we were deciding the "quorum" already - that 4 officers are needed to reach it - I have learned to myself that we truly were the only ones meeting that day. So I let the question out of the bag, "Kuya Mike, tayo lang po bang apat ngayon?" He responded yes. Cha and Tanya wasn't able to come because they had something up. Tanya, specifically, was by her father's side because he was in a critical condition. I pray for his recovery. I really do hope that we will be complete next time.

Anyway, we discussed the OTSA constitution in the meeting. It was excellent work but had some flaws. Luis, our chairman, pointed out quite a number of them. I was amazed at how observant and critical he was. I should make him my sensei (hahaha). But of course, I've had my fair share in the discussion but not as expressive as chairman did. (I really do love to call him chairman~) I was a little worried about Maureen because she was so quiet during the meeting. I know she is in second year but I believe that whether you are young or not, you have the voice and probably ideas that differ from much experienced ones. I'll try and help her speak out more. (Well, not that I speak much but she's just more quiet)

I really love this job that Sir Mike Sy had organized. I knew the first time I had joined the meeting back in April, I want this kind of job. I really do! And I knew that whoever gets the External Vice President position in June would quit after hearing the responsibilities. But I never thought that Renniere Singh would even trade with me after just asking it once.

I foresee so much in this organization and I hope I will be able to contribute as much as I can. Although, I am afraid of having invested so much expectation in the future. Expectations can hurt you real bad...but I don't mind anyway.