Some of us want to be different or want to make a difference, but making it possible is the hard part. Being a simple citizen of my community, involvement in organizations like Small Hands Philippines makes this vision a reality.
Last February 21, 2015, Small Hands Philippines conducted a forum regarding the indigenous groups that are usually neglected and marginalized in our society. In this forum we talked about the origin, culture, and social issues of the native Filipinos as facilitated by an Igorot, Ms. Piya Macliing Malayao, spokesperson of the Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP). The best thing about that day was the sharing part. The attendees were a diversity of students and different professionals. Most of them were young people. It is so amazing to hear a lot of thoughts and reflections from them knowing that it is the first time for them to learn and deeply understand the situations of our indigenous brethren.
We closed the forum with a challenge: “What we can do after today?” I am always reminded by this saying: “Never get tired of doing little things for others, sometimes those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.” For me, knowing them (indigenous groups) more deeply, doing what is right, and sharing to others what I know about them are the first few steps in making a difference, because in our own little ways we can make an impact and help others to rise!