Bacolod streetkids get taste of Christmas spirit
Bacolod City -- Courtesy of the premier and leading call center in the city - Teleperformance, street children around the city were treated to a day of food, fun and shopping, all in the spirit of the Yuletide season.
"Christmas awakens the inner child in each of us. It evokes longing for gifts, fun and laughter. But for children who are under privilege this is just as same as ordinary days," a statement from the media liason of the company said.
Marlon Estilo, 11 was one of the hundreds of kids who's Christmas for several years were spent on the streets of Bacolod rather than in a house having a noche Buena with his family. This year, Marlon along with 49 other street kids were treated by Teleperformance employees for a day of fun and shopping for them to feel the other way of celebrating Christmas.
The 50 street kids mostly staying around Bacolod City Public Plaza were treated at McDonald's for a meal and for a two-hour party with Teleperformance employees serving as their ate and kuya.
Though tired and sleepy from their shift, employees were reenergized seeing the kids who for the first time this year visited McDonalds. According to several kids the last time they visited the fast food chain was last year when they were also treated for Christmas.
While kids were enjoying their full set of meal with their ate and kuya one kid said in vernacular that often they only have one meal for a day the reason why he is packing the extra food served by McDo for his family. Despite persistent reminders from Teleperformance staff for the kids to enjoy their meal and don't worry about their family because the company has prepared a gift pack for their family yet they insist of packing the extra food for the members of their family.
On board Teleperformance shuttle, the kids with their ate/kuya were then brought to Robinsons Place where kids were given a chance to play a at World of Fun Arcade. Smiles were painted on every kid's faces as they enjoy playing computer games and having free rides at the World of Fun Arcade at Robinsons 3rd floor.
"We are very happy to see the kids having fun in here said one of the employees who volunteered to adopt-a-kid for a day adding that indeed their little contribution means a lot for the kids as revealed on their faces.
To make the celebration more meaningful, the children were brought at Robinsons Department Store where they were allowed to pick their personal choice of gift.
As they lined up to the cashier, their faces catched the attention of mall goers with some shoppers stopped in front of the kids and gazed at them.
One shopper even told her companion, "see how blessed are you" making the kids as reference of her statement.
After shopping, the kids went back to their routine but with hearts filled with joy that there are people who had remembered them.
One of the kids could not even stop saying thank you to TP employees while disembarking TP's shuttle bus carrying a gift for herself and a gift pack for her family which includes rice, canned goods and noodles which were donated by TP employees.
The adopt-a-kid program is just one of several initiatives that Teleperformance has launched this Yuletide Season.
Another set of gift giving is set by the company to benefit cancer kids under the Suntown Camp. A total of 30 cancer kids or kids with parent having cancer will receive gifts from the company. (TP/PIA)