‘Kaldero’ idea leads to Children’s Day

Margaret Rose “Binky” Veniegas has a dream. She would drive around the depressed communities in Cebu every weekend and bring with her a “kaldero” (cooking pot) full of porridge for children.

The nutritious food will contain malunggay leaves, squash and chicken bits.

“The goal is to feed the children even for one day. You will be surprised how important it is for them to eat a tasty porridge,” Veniegas said.

But this fine arts graduate from the University of the Philippines Cebu College does not only give porridge to the children but also something to look forward to: a temporary respite from life in the slums and dump.

Veniegas started to think about her outreach project in 2006. It took her, however, five years to implement it because she didn’t yet have the time and the resources.

In April, she met her best friend, Debra Ceniza, in California, where she worked for an aviation company. She told Debra about her kaldero idea and her friend pledged to help.

“Debra was excited and said she would add another kaldero and help me collect toys and books. That inspired me to finally make this dream come true,” she said.

The first Children’s Day was organized on July 17. At least 200 children from Sitio (sub-village) Tralala in Barangay  (village) Banilad were transported by truck to the village’s sports complex where they were treated to two hours of fun with games and food.

Every weekend of July, Veniegas cooked 15 kilograms of rice for the children. Their number grew from 200 to 600, and even their parents came for the festivity.

On the last Sunday of the month, photographer Kit Bajar put up an exhibit to capture the children’s happy moments.

Veniegas tapped her network of friends, including her previous employer and the Philippine Air Force (PAF), for her crusade. The PAF helped Veniegas, an Air Force reservist, transport the children to the venue.

Sonny Maliksi, a California-based pilot, now helps her gather resources for the succeeding Children’s Day activities.

Veniegas’ cousin, Luanne Ceniza, a nurse who used to work in New Zealand, helps pack the toothbrush-and-toothpaste kits distributed to the children after every activity. “You have to go out and see for yourself what’s happening around you. What you will see will make you realize how blessed you are,” Ceniza said.

Veniegas said part of the plan is to organize proper hygiene sessions with the children. The parents will also be given family planning seminars.

A native of Mandaue City in Cebu, Veniegas grew up in a house surrounded by less privileged families. Although her family is not rich, she said she had a comfortable life—good food, decent house and good education.

“Seeing difficult situations made me realize that I can’t be selfish. It’s not always about me. I’m still blessed even if I have problems. The smiles of the children inspire me,” she said.

Veniegas and her five friends now comprise a team they informally called Ate Kuya Children’s Welfare, which conducts the weekly Children’s Day.

The children are treated to a storytelling session, short lecture and, of course, a meal of porridge.

The team hopes to network with other groups to provide livelihood opportunities to the poor people in the communities.

On October 29, they reached out to more than 200 children near the dump in the city’s Barangay Inayawan. It was their first time to organize a read-along session with the Philippine Daily Inquirer there.

Rowena Manayaga, who has three young children, said it was not common to see people, other than missionaries and foundations, visit the dump.

Her son, Gwendell, 7, won a toy bear during the question-and-answer portion that followed the read-along. He is a special child.