A: It all started with Titing and Chary Suazo, an extremely generous couple from Ormoc, Philippines who dedicated their lives to helping the poor (see Our Story). Titing and Chary taught their seven children the importance of giving back to the poor and, each in their own way, they have been giving back to the Philippine community for years.
When Chary passed away in February of 2008, we saw an opportunity to build an organization in her honor. It is our goal to continue her work and broaden the scope and reach of her efforts. Bundles of Joy is our attempt to make the world aware of the poverty epidemic in the Philippines and to reach out to generous people like you who want to make a difference with us.
So to answer the question, we are merely starting in the Philippines. We hope that one day Bundles of Joy will be able to reach out to poor families across the world.
A: Your contribution of medicine, clothing, food or toys will be sent to either Manila, Philippines or Cebu, Philippines via freight forwarders. We currently ship donated items to the Philippines in 20" x 20" x 20" Balikbayan* boxes.
Shipping time via freight forwarders from San Francisco, CA to the Philippines is approximately one month. This is the most economical shipping method for our purposes.When shipments arrive in the Philippines, they are received by partner organizations who distribute the donated items to poverty-stricken families in various towns throughout the Luzon and Visayan regions of the Philippines. We are currently working with Gawad Kalinga/Couples for Christ in Cebu City and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Metro Manila to distribute donations. (See
Recipient Families).
*
Balikbayan box (definition): a cardboard box containing personal items, toiletries, household and kitchen stuffs, toys, clothes and accessories, canned goods and other food items, etc. sent by an overseas Filipino to his loved ones in the Philippines through freight forwarders. (http://globalpilipino. blogspot.com/2007/01/balikbayan-box.html)
A: We have big goals and high hopes for Bundles of Joy. We are starting small, collecting donations from family, friends and neighbors. We are reaching out to the larger Filipino community in the San Francisco Bay Area via churches, school and cultural organizations. We are working with Girl Scout troops, Student Clubs and churches to spread the word. We are also creating awareness on the Internet through
www.facebook.com and
www.change.org We hope to begin soliciting major corporations for donations of goods and will also begin collecting monetary donations through this website.