This coming holiday season, a group of devoted individuals will be extending a crowd-sourced initiative called the ARK (Act of Random Kindness) Project. The goal of this project is to promote and cultivate the “Bacolod-style-of-kindness” in the community. We hope that this project will ultimately result as an exemplar of compassion towards our underprivileged kasimanwas (townsfolk), creating a haven of belongingness and a welcoming hope that they are not forgotten, but rather loved and valued.

This uplifting project traced its humble beginnings two (2) years ago by providing food to our homeless brothers and sisters along the San Sebastian Cathedral (a Catholic church in Bacolod). Now, we have transitioned into a gift giving initiative. We coordinate with various local schools to gather pupils who are considered less fortunate. We ask the teachers to have the kids personally write their wishes and each volunteer for the project then taps into their circle of friends and colleagues who are willing to fulfill those simple and precious wishes.

We believe that fulfilling wishes leave a special, dramatic and perhaps a lasting mark in their hearts as their family does not have the luxury of buying gifts for them.

Here’s a video of a couple of things that the ARK Project has done so far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZkC99cvlKM

ARK’s Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1729048340707877/?hc_ref=ARR3I_N82fokC-XfF-a7TNg4qFwLtVtbJEX1wAtvGzvOMEds3LxRxlq3ZpwOXvlJapQ

This year, ARK is aiming to reach out to 120 children from different communities within and outside of its mother city (Bacolod). We welcome anyone who would like to be a sponsor and fulfill a child’s wish or to expand the concept in their own area. We believe that kindness can make a lasting difference! Like what Morgan Freeman said in the movie Evan Almighty:

“How do we change the world? One Act of Random Kindness (ARK) at a time.”