PIA Press Release
Monday, January 09, 2012 'Joy School' spreads joy to less fortunate kidsby Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. NEGROS OCC., January 9 (PIA6) -- Some 120 children in day care centers in Murcia municipality's depressed barangays recently received a special treat from volunteer groups and the local social welfare and development department staff. “It’s a free foot spa for the kids,” said school administrator and program director Joy Barredo of the Joy School who together with her 35 volunteers, local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the municipal government of Murcia joined hands in giving a one-day treat to children belonging to poor families. The children also received brand new slippers, after their feet were washed by government and NGO volunteers at the town plaza. ‘Jesus others and you ministries’ rendered song numbers in a program followed by the feet washing after basins, pails, soap and towel were brought out amidst cheering and giggling kids. Volunteer Lance Matthew Barredo, who was celebrating his birthday, chose to spend the day with less fortunate kids and led in the distribution of stuff toys, balloons, candies, cupcakes and cookies and souvenirs. Local government officials present expressed elation for the holding of such program. Similar feet washing activity was also conducted earlier by the group in Bacolod City when couple Joy and Timberlane Barredo with the DSWD gathered street kids around Bacolod plaza providing them food and toys in a program. Joy School outreach program include parenthood trainings, values formation, livelihood for unemployed parents and social capability trainings to poor residents around the province in coordination with the LGUs. A bakery run by parents in this province now provides beneficiaries with livelihood and snacks for their children in going to school. The organization utilizes mothers’ and fathers’ classes as venues for imparting skills and values so they become responsible parents who provide for their families’ needs. It is the goal of the organizers to provide both spiritual and social needs of deserving families so that they can be productive citizens in their barangays. (JCM/LOL-PIA6)) | 
