Nourish 500 Project: A Journey of Compassion, Communication, and Connection

I am honored to share the story of the Nourish 500 Project with you today—an initiative close to my heart and one that embodies the essence of project management through three key principles: compassion, communication, and connection.

It all began on October 16, 2024, a day of reunion and celebration. My high school classmates and I were eager to reconnect with our former class adviser, who had transferred to a mountain school. We wanted to check on her, see the school, and surprise her on her birthday. What began as a simple gesture turned into a profound experience that changed our perspective.

The Need for Compassion

During our visit, we witnessed the feeding program at Canumay National High School. The teachers there were doing everything they could to provide meals to the less privileged students, but the challenges they faced were overwhelming. It was at that moment that compassion took root in our hearts. We saw the need and decided we could help. This was the spark that ignited the Nourish 500 Project.

The mission was clear: to sustain the feeding program and make a difference in the lives of 120 students. We set out with the goal of inviting 20 individuals to donate ₱500 monthly. But the path to achieve this was not without its challenges.

The Importance of Communication

Helping to feed 120 students is no small feat—it demands financial resources, dedication, and teamwork. Through communication, we were able to turn vision into action. We clearly communicated our goals, plans, and the steps needed to achieve them.

On December 9, 2024, we organized a gift-giving program at Canumay National High School—the Nourish 500 Project's first official endeavor. This event introduced the project to our stakeholders: the students and the faculty. To make it possible, my friends and I reached out to our own networks—friends, officemates, and acquaintances—asking for their support. Whether through sponsoring the event or pledging monthly donations, their contributions made the initiative possible. Communication was the lifeline that allowed us to share our cause, gain trust, and inspire action.

The Power of Connection

One of the most transformative aspects of this experience has been the power of connection. Initially, we committed to providing gift packages for the 120 beneficiaries of the feeding program. But connections helped us achieve far more than we imagined. We were able to pack 300 gifts—enough for every student at Canumay—and feed over 300 individuals, including students, teachers, and volunteers.

Through the generosity of those who supported us, we raised more funds than we initially needed. With these connections, the joy of gift-giving reached everyone in the community. It taught us an invaluable lesson: when people come together, the possibilities are endless.

Today, as I share our journey, I want to emphasize the importance of compassion, the need for communication, and the power of connection. These three principles have guided the Nourish 500 Project and have allowed us to touch lives in ways we never imagined.

Our goal is simple yet impactful: to have 20 individuals commit to donating ₱500 monthly. As of March, we already have 13 dedicated donors. We need seven more to reach our goal.

If you feel inspired to join this cause, to help sustain the feeding program at Canumay National High School and create a ripple effect of compassion, communication, and connection—please reach out to me. Together, we can nourish not just the body, but also the spirit, of those who need it most.

Sandari Amaya: The Brave and Calm

Our little doll, so sweet, so bright,

With twinkling eyes that catch the light.

A face that brings the world to cheer,

A laugh so pure, so bright, so clear.

When you dance and shake your hips,

Joy spills forth from fingertips.

A tiny spark, a shining gleam,

A living part of our best dream.

They said you came too soon, too near,

For your sister had just turned two that year.

Two little hands, two sets of cries,

Two sleepy parents with tired eyes.

Yet in the blur of sleepless nights,

Your smile erased the hardest fights.

A tired body, a restless mind,

But in your presence, peace we find.

We named you Sandari Amaya, strong and free,

A peaceful valley, yet brave as can be.

How can such words together stay?

But in your heart, they find their way.

You fear no height, you climb, explore,

You chase adventures, seeking more.

We hold our breath, we run behind,

For danger never clouds your mind.

Yet in the storm, you bring a breeze,

A quiet calm, a gentle ease.

Your laughter turns the world so light,

And makes our worries fade from sight.

So when you grow, my fearless dove,

Stay bold, stay brave, rise high above.

Yet choose the path of peace and grace,

A steady heart in life’s embrace.

Sierra Agata: The Strong and Humble

I never thought this day would come,

A child of my own, my flesh, my charm.

For years, my heart held silent fear—

Of pain, of birth, of bringing life here.

My husband and I, we laughed, we played,

With nieces, nephews, love conveyed.

We thought our joy was full, complete,

Until we heard your tiny heartbeat.

Twenty hours, the longest day,

Pain so fierce in every way.

Yet in one breath, in one soft cry,

The world stood still—my fears ran dry.

We named you Sierra Agata, strong and true,

Like mountains high, yet humble too.

A heart that’s kind, a will so bright,

You bring to all a warm, pure light.

You know your worth, yet lift the weak,

A voice so small, yet wise when you speak.

You dance through life with joy so free,

Making friends so effortlessly.

Oh, how you make our sorrows fade,

With little things, with games you’ve played.

A simple laugh, a gentle touch,

Our hearts are full—you give so much.

My wish for you, my love, my dear,

Is that you stand without a fear.

Like mountains tall, reach for the sky,

But keep your heart where love resides.

For though you're strong, and high you’ll rise,

Let kindness shine within your eyes.

Stay humble, grounded, soft, yet free,

And always know—you’re loved by me.

Toddlers' Walk

Two little sisters, side by side,

Three and one, with steps so wide.

Through towering trees, so lush and grand,

They wandered deep, hand in hand.

Butterflies danced in colors bright,

Their wings aglow in golden light.

The girls gave chase with gleeful cheer,

As laughter rang so pure and clear.

The sunlight flickered through the trees,

A gentle whisper in the breeze.

They traced the streams, they climbed the stones,

Their hearts so light, their world their own.

But soon the sky turned dim and gray,

The golden hues all slipped away.

The trees grew tall, the paths unclear,

And in the dark, crept silent fear.

Their tiny hands now clenched so tight,

As shadows swallowed all the light.

They called for Mama, soft yet strong,

But only echoes sang along.

Then through the night, a voice so sweet,

A mother’s song, a hurried beat.

She held them close, so warm, so tight,

And led them home by moon’s soft light.