This morning seventy-five kids who are “Kiddie/Youth Savers” of the Ormoc Community Credit Cooperative, Inc. (OCCCI) including 10 special kids (deaf-mute) listened to Christine Della Vedova, of Business and Professional Women’s Club, Belmont, Western Australia.
Christine is in Ormoc with Carol Hanlon who facilitated the donation of 2 container vans of electric sewing machines and materials from Perth in 2006 and 2008.
She spoke to the kids of her experiences being a self-starter and volunteer. Speaking before them to become good citizens by helping others without thinking of returns, Christine motivated the kids who listened intently to her talk, become a self-starter and practice volunteerism.
While an English teacher in Korea, Christine encouraged kids of very rich parentage to come down from their pedestals and share their talents, time and effort to reach out to poor school kids in government schools and she succeeded in making them do volunteer work.
In Peru a person with HIV/AIDS is considered dirty and has to be avoided. That was the general understanding.So, while teaching English to rich kids in Peru she volunteered with an HIV/AIDS NGO. But because she couldn’t understand nor speak a word of Spanish and concerned that she couldn’t help, she brought 5 people living with HIV/AIDS to a small group meeting and let them talk about their affliction. That wonderful initiative of Christine enlightened the group about HIV/AIDS that made the word spread out to other people in Peru.
An important person in her life made her go back to Australia. She returned to Australia and taught English at the Australian Islamic College for four years. Relentless of her desire to do volunteer work and help other people, she volunteered with Textile Clothing Footwear (TCF) after meeting Carol Hanlon through the Business and Professional Women Belmont.
At the TCF she helps teach women from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Somalia how to sew and teach them how to start their own business.
She now teaches English to kids 8-12 years old. But on the side, she volunteers as Secretary of BPW Belmont.
Founded by Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips in 1930, Business and Professional Women Clubs are present in 80 countries, in 5 continents. It provides trainings and help women build their own businesses. In Italy alone, BPW has 7,000 members. Christine is an Italian-Australian.
Christine Della Vedova arrived in Ormoc with Carol Hanlon 8 January, a Saturday. While in Ormoc the two have a hectic schedule.
Jean V. Justimbaste
Member, BPW Belmont
Coordinator, TCF Ormoc
January 10, 2011
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