The Blogger's activity (see story here) in Anda was not all about sight seeing and pure fun and enjoyment.  The heart of the entire trip was to lend a helping hand to the children of Anda and this is what we done in the afternoon of December 20 when we went to the ANDAKidz Community Center in Brgy. Talisay.

While heading to the site, a soccer clinic was also being held at the ground near the Quinale Beach (see story on Anda beaches here),  The durable soccer balls were donated by Philippine Information Agency.

Before we started, the founders of MTU ANDAKidz Robin Gurney and his lovely wife Birgit Naur --- an English man and an Estonian woman --- gave us an orientation of what the organization is all about.  It was very heartwarming for me to know their mission, especially that the founders are not even Filipinos but have a heart for the Philippines and for the Boholanos, especially our children. 

Among their goals is the building of a community center the children of the members of Talisay Fisherfolks Association or TAFIAS.  The community center will serve as an alternative learning venue for the kids once they come home from school.  Aside from which, the building will also host the meetings and livelihood activities of the TAFIAS members. Although the kids are the primary user of the building and yes, TAFIAS, the ANDAKidz community center is open for the people of Brgy. Talisay to use.

The structure was designed by a very young architect (She is not a Filipino and I don't remember her name.  It's not in my notes too. Sorry.) and is very eco-friendly and disaster-proof.  PET bottles are used as bricks instead of hollow blocks and the butts of clear liquor bottles are used as windows. 

When we went there, construction was still on going.  Labor was done by the men of TAFIAS.  As our help, we, bloggers were split into groups of three.  The women were assigned to clean the clear liquor bottles.  One group of men were to shovel the sand into sacks and transfer it to one area while the other men were to lift threaded wood into the construction area.  What makes the community center very special is that it is a labor of love and dedication.  The beneficiaries do their part, and the children as well do little contributions by transporting the PET bottles filled with cement from one area to the other.

When all work was done, we were treated to a delightful gastronomic treat by TAFIAS.  We were served with a delectable selection of Filipino food and TAFIAS produce.  The best one is their Taro Ice Cream which is actually everyone's favorite.  It comes in two flavors: mango and chocolate.  And even though I am on a diet, I ate three cups! That's how tempting and delightfully yummy Taro Ice Cream was.  Aside from that, there's their Taro Polvoron, Taro Chips, and Tilapia Chips.  These are the products they've learned to produce from seminars on alternative livelihood that the men and women of TAFIAS attended.

The last part of our mission in ANDAKidz was to deliver our gifts to the children.  The kids received school supplies and other goodies pitched in by the bloggers and the first ever all-Boholano luxury chocolate brand Ginto Luxury Chocolates by Chocoreich.  I was envious of the kids that they were among the first ones to take a bite of that chocolate must-have!

It was definitely a heartwarming day for me.  But it is even more heartwarming when a few weeks ago, Robin shared the good news that ANDAKidz is now open for usage.  I was really happy to see that the once under construction building that many volunteers have helped build is now finally usable.  Knowing that I was part of the realization of Robin and Birgit's dreams of having a community center is very rewarding.

But the help does not stop there! MTU ANDAKidz and the children of Anda still needs your help.  To know more about ANDAKidz and on how you can donate, visit their website at http://andakidz.org.  You can send cash or in kind donations or you can also visit the site and conduct activities for the kids like book reading and art lessons.  Whatever you can do and whatever you can contribute makes a lot of difference.

My afternoon in ANDA Kidz was the best part of my Anda visit.  And I will be back, I promise.  Hopefully, soon. :)