Kids of relocated families learn about joys of moving to a new home

Over 100 children of informal dwellers, who were relocated from Makati City, learned about the wonders of moving to a new home in the recently concluded read-along session conducted by DMCI Homes in Gawad Kalinga’s Dreamland community in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Dubbed as Bata, TARA Na (Towards A Reading Adventure), the read-along session held last January 26 was the first corporate social responsibility activity of DMCI Homes this year in collaboration with Gawad Kalinga’s Paraisong Pambata project.

At least 80 volunteers consist of employees and unit owners delighted the children beneficiaries by reading the DMCI Homes coloring storybook titled “A Place Called Home,” which tackles the story of Tom who found new friends when his family moved to a new home.

“We hope that the activity could help instill a sense of belongingness among the children beneficiaries as their families build a community here in GK Dreamland, similar to what we do in DMCI Homes to residents of our condominium communities,” DMCI Homes Corporate Communications Manager Jhops Cruz said.

Aside from sharing the value of reading, employee and unit owner volunteers also donated pre-loved books for the public library which is part of the 82 housing units and 4 centers built by DMCI Homes in GK Dreamland.  The community served as Makati City government’s relocation site for informal dwellers and residents affected by the road-widening projects.

Parlor games, a photo booth and several game booths were likewise prepared to bring smiles to the faces of the beneficiaries.

Volunteers capped off the fun-filled event with the distribution of school bags and school supplies.

“We’re very happy to be part of this activity. We just hope that there would be more activities like this and then we could also get to involve more residents from The Redwoods,” said Kristine Layaoen, a resident of The Redwoods community in Brgy. Pasong Putik, Novaliches, Quezon City which is a few kilometers away from the GK Dreamland relocation site.

“It’s quite exciting (to join the activity) because it’s an opportunity for us to extend our reach beyond our small community since we consider GK Dreamland like our adopted community,” she continued.