| |
|
| |
|
 |
|
|||||||
Shyla Cabaluna
|
 |
The existence of man defines a certain purpose. Whether old or young, man or woman, rich or poor, everyone lives for a reason. Everyone has an important place in the world but because of certain circumstances, man sometimes ceases to see and believe in the beauty of life. He becomes hopeless and takes life as a curse rather than a blessing. It takes another human being to help others regain hope, to heal wounds, to revive what's lost, or to feel loved.
 |
A woman who made a way to give hope to others is Mrs. Shyla Cabaluna. She is a hardworking mother and a good wife to her supportive husband. Shyla is a technical trainer of various skills like soap making, candle making and others. She is currently employed at the Department of Science and Technology Region 6.
Poverty is the cause of her move to advocacy. Poor as she was in her younger years, she has always believed that poverty is not a hindrance to success. Her years of hard work helped her to surpass her bitter past. She is now enjoying her family, treasuring her children and husband. Her advocacy of helping the less privileged is a passion just like her love for arts and crafts.
 |
Recycling things is one of her hobbies. Often she collects plastic, cartons and anything she can reuse. With her skills she creates these materials into molds and holder for another one of her crafts, candle making. This skill has also become a medium for her to reach out to the poor. She gathered kids from different age levels of which some of them are ‘problematic kids' who have stopped attending school. Others were unemployed women or mothers who were in dire need of a job to support their families. She took time to sit with them and talk to them about their plans. She wanted to make those people to feel loved so they could share this love with other people. “I want to give them hope, so I give them a chance so they too could help others.”
 |
She also discovered the different talents of these people and she did everything so they could express it. She'll make them carve candles even if at times these candles are not good enough. What matters to her is that she allows them to experience their dreams by using their skills and talents. With the same conviction, she provides seasonal employment to at least aid them in their daily living. “I let them make candles even if it's not a need. But I just want to help them with their needs. Not that I have enough but what matters is I have shared,” Mrs. Cabaluna says.
 |
The candles are not for mass production and each one tells a story. And because these candles are products made out of love – it's never duplicated. She joins exhibit shows and often the products she displays include the work of the youth. For the past years of making candles, she has given seasonal jobs to almost 40 persons (both old and young). “Although it's not a regular job for these people, I'm happy that with it, they were not (left) on the streets or high on drugs,” Shyla said.
 |
Happiness is not measured by how much we have or how successful we are. Happiness simply means service to others. And knowing that we made a difference even to someone is a great challenge. We can't change the world overnight but we can participate in doing something to make this a better place. To take part is acting on it not tomorrow but today.
Shyla shares her views to yuppies, the old and young: “Open your heart to those who are in great need. Like you closet, once in a while check on it and empty it for service of others. For in time, your closet will be full again. And live your life to the fullest and spend time wisely.”
Have a heart and share to the less privileged. E-mail Shyla at shylacabaluna@yahoo.com.
