Though Christmas day has come and gone, the spirit of giving has not yet come to rest!

The Buhay Makulay Children’s Project Inc. is still in the middle of its yuletide fundraiser - the 12 Gifts of Christmas! This year, all proceeds will benefit families living with HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.

It’s not too late to make a contribution! For a minimum donation of P300, you receive a commemorative 12 Gifts t-shirt! We also need donations of children’s books, educational tools and toys.

If you are in the Philippines, monetary donations may be given via direct deposit:

Checking a/c no. 0041-0339-24; Account name: Buhay Makulay Children’s Project, Inc. BPI Greenbelt Cinema Branch

Checks and other donations may also be dropped off at the Union Church of Manila on the corner of Legaspi & Rada Sts. Legaspi Village, Makati. Checks should be addressed to, and donations labeled: Buhay Makulay Children’s Project Inc.

If you are outside the Philippines, all monetary donations may be processed through paypal via our website.

We had a wonderful time at the Buhay Makulay Children’s Project Children’s Fairs 2010! It was the very first year that we held two children’s fairs and we feel so blessed for the opportunity to reach more and more children each year. These past two Saturdays, we had the privilege of sharing our love and time with the children of Nayon ng Kabataan and of the Precious Jewels Ministry.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to the 64 dedicated and loving volunteers that partnered with us to love the children that we served. We were supported by many returning volunteers and and first time volunteers, all of whom helped us plant and nurture seeds of joy in the hearts of children affected by poverty, abuse, abandonment, slavery, trafficking, and terminal illnesses such as HIV/AIDS.

Furthermore, we would like to thank all those who have supported our fairs this year through donations. Whether it was by purchasing one of the braided bookmarks we made, donating old shoe boxes or by sponsoring a child or two, we are so thankful for your support! God has multiplied the gifts you have given us!

We at the Buhay Makulay Children’s Project Inc. feel so very blessed. We have learned so much from the experience and are left inspired to continue the work God has begun through us.

More pictures to follow! :)

Our two Children’s Fairs of 2010 are right around the corner! For the first time ever, we are hosting two fairs, at two different locations, partnering with two different organizations. Between the two weeks, we will be having over 250 children join our fairs!

Although the fairs are fast approaching, there is so much to be done! There is much money to be raised, items to purchased, letters to write, messages to send, bookmarks to make, bookmarks to sell, and oh so many details to iron out. This feels like a full time job! (Certainly one I do with much love.)

But we must always act in faith. Every fair and every activity, always requires funding. And more often than not, we start with nothing more than an idea, our hopeful hearts and a lot of faith. Plans are made, trusting that God will provide the means for it. Budgets are written out, without the actual money to fulfill the budget, knowing that God will provide exactly as needed. He always given us ways to stretch and multiply His blessings. I can feel Him coming through for us, even as I look at the thinning envelope of money we have for Saturday’s fair.

Pray for us as we continue to get everything together. It is a hectic time, with much to get through, but I am just so excited for the upcoming Saturday mornings at the Buhay Makulay Children’s Fairs! There are so many beautiful children just waiting for us to share our love and time with them!

Blessings, Tanya

It’s that time of year again! Buhay Makulay is holding it’s yearly children’s fair with the Precious Jewels Ministry Inc. We’re so excited and cannot believe that it is already the fourth year of our annual children’s fair!

This year we are shaking things up a bit! Taking notes and ideas from our our previous fairs, we are planning a set of booths that we hope will be more personal, interactive and meaningful for our children. The staple favorites, like cookie decorating and face painting will be back, and some great new booths are in the works!

Our fairs have always had the children at its heart and center and we are so excited to have another opportunity to share joy with these children! Many of our guests come from various urban poor communities around Metro Manila, from difficult lifestyles and harsh realities. If only for one Saturday morning a year, we hope to bring a breath of love, coupled with joy and fun games.

However, all our planning means nothing without the help of volunteers and sponsors. We need you! Please consider volunteering or donating money/needed materials for the various activities. I will keep you all posted on how you can help! :)