It’s the first time Aimie Aitkens has set foot in the Southeast Asian country and the third time in a year for Jesse Harsanyi.
“I’ve completely fallen in love with the people there and I care for them like good friends and family. It’s become a part of me and I wanted to continue to be involved with what’s going on there,” says Harsanyi.
The two will be staying with the same Filipino family Harsanyi stayed with the previous trips and plan to work with a church group, helping needy people from shantytowns and squatters villages.
Feeling comfortable with the family, being the third time around, she was shocked at the family’s generosity at dinner time, especially already having four children in the house.
“They’ve always said to us, ‘What’ll feed five, will feed seven and what’ll feed seven, will feed nine,” she says, thinking of when her mom wouldn’t allow her friends over, because she hadn’t made enough food.
Last November, Harsanyi helped organize a fundraiser for the new Hope Christian Ministries in Cainta, Rizal in the Philippines, whose food program helps feed upwards of 600 youngsters each week.
She says something that touched her the most about the people there was their humanity toward one another in a time of dire straights. Specifically, she thinks of the church pastors and the 15 or so young people who donate their free time to helping the poor.
“We’re so used to ‘you give a little and get something back’ and it’s really hard to give a lot and not expect anything back’.”
Aitkens says she can’t wait to get there and help the cause, but also to gain valuable perspective on her own life.
“Those experiences just open your eyes so much and it’s cool to bring that back with you.”
The toughest adjustment, according to Harsanyi, is adjusting back to the comfortable North American lifestyle.
“You just realize how much we do have and how privileged we are.”
She says it’s sometimes hard not to think about their situation and avoid feeling guilty and spoiled when she’s back home.
“I realized you can’t really feel guilty, you can’t put the weight of an entire society’s issues on yourself.
“I’m trying to take the good perspectives out of there, like the faith that they have and the joy they have with the simple things.”