By Lily Ramos
Staff Writer
Connecting with one’s roots is a very important part of Costa freshman Raymund Avenido’s life.
Avenido and his parents traveled to the Philippines from Jan. 9 to Jan. 3 for their annual trip to visit their Filipino family as well as doing some charity for less fortunate Filipino youth.
“We wanted to visit family members because we missed them,” Avenido said. “It’s the only opportunity that my mother and my father can go because of their jobs. We also went because we wanted to give our charity to people that have impoverished lives and don’t have the opportunity to go to America.”
Photos: Food is delivered to unfortunate children in the Philippines
Avenido has visited the Philippines eight times, doing charity work. On his most recent trip, his family donated money to a Filipino fast food restaurant called Jollibee, and had the opportunity to hand-deliver food at the charity site to people who are underprivileged.
“We wanted to help because they didn’t have any opportunity for anything, and they were still growing hungry every single day and during every night,” Avenido said.
When Avenido was twelve, he collected and bought many types of books, such as science-related books, chapter books, and coloring books with his mother in America before going to the Philippines. They gave the books to the poor children in person and Avenido was happy that the children had an opportunity to learn, he says.
“We got good quality books because we wanted the kids to be treated better,” Avenido said. “We went back to the Philippines, we got the books, and then I hand delivered the books to the kids and they were really grateful and they were really happy.”
Avenido’s favorite part of going on the trip was meeting and visiting with family members that he hadn’t seen in a very long time, he says. He also said that donating the food to the children was very memorable.
“I was really happy that I could meet all of my relatives,” Avenido said. “It was really relieving because it feels so alone being here in the U.S. alone with my parents and no one to go to.”
Avenido and his family will continue to travel to the Philippines every year, for a month each visit. They will continue to do charity work during their trips there as much as they can because they believe it is very important, Avenido says.
“Doing the charity impacted my life because it made me realize that I took many things for granted, and I shouldn’t waste any food because people are in need of food,” Avenido said. “Of course I will continue doing charity because I’m a kind-hearted person. I want to help because I want everyone to feel how great it is to live a luxury life like I am living right now in America.”
Raymund Avenido, a Filipino Costa student explains how his life was living in the Philippines in early February at Mira Costa. Avenido has done many accounts of charity in the Philippines after moving from there six years ago.
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