VICE President Leni Robredo was recently in Bacolod and she shared the quote, “Hope is a powerful thing,” by writer Stephanie Garber. I agree.
Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. As long as we breathe, hope is also alive.
The Office of the Vice President initiated a project called “Istorya ng Pag-asa” (Stories of Hope). INP collected extraordinary stories of ordinary people and organizations which aim to inspire, to empower and be a source of hope to all. The VP taught of spreading positive vibes in these stories. Many of these stories tell how people aspired to become better, despite being poor or having limitations, and succeeded.
Here in Negros Occidental, INP was launched recently and experiences were shared. There was an environmentalist who survived Martial Law; an abandoned child who became a houseboy to finish his studies; a daughter of an “encargado” who is now a doctor; a ten year old boy who lost his father and helped his mother take care of his younger siblings; a family who struggled but worked together; an organization who rescues abandoned and neglected children. There are more countless stories, some yet untold.
Kalipay Negrense Foundation was one of the honorees during the launching of INP in Negros. Kalipay is recognized as the foundation who rescues abandoned, neglected, malnourished and abused children in Negros. Kalipay provides a fun, safe and loving environment to these children. Kalipay gives hope and brings joy to the children.
Hope is also given to people who are experiencing sadness, who has grown tired of life, who have given up and who may be suffering from depression. They are reminded that there is hope -hold on pain ends. There will always be someone who will be there to help and listen.
This May, Mental Health America leads in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month. This year they will emphasize how physical health and mental health are connected through the theme “For mind and body.” When one has poor physical health, it may lead to having mental health concerns – for example, a cancer patient may develop depression, and a person who feels depressed may not feel eating or may want to eat and eat may acquire a physical condition like diabetes. Health is wealth.
Never lose hope. Let’s be positive. Hope empowers us. Hope brings miracles. Share your story. Inspire another.