Happy first birthday to my pride and passion here in the beautiful Philippines -- my Lil' Sistas Project. A year ago today I walked into the Holy Family Home and instantly my life was changed. I remember walking into that home. I heard feet scattering on the floors above me and then I saw all these little girls look over the railings and smile at me. They ran down the stairs, greeted me with more smiles and I even got some hugs. They were so eager to know who I was, why I was there, and what I was about. I was just as eagerly curious about them.
I remember that day, trying to teach them boxing, them not really understanding my English, me not understanding their Tagalog, but everyone having a blast and the class being so much fun. I also remember heading over to The Refined after and meeting a random lady who I then got into a discussion about what I had just done. I remember feeling so affected from what I had just experienced and that initial spark for these girls being so obvious in how and what I was telling her about the class and the little girls.
I don't remember that lady's name or why she was even at The Refined. She wasn't a customer. I think she was there randomly passing by when she saw that there was a salon on the second floor, The Refined. I remember making her get all teary-eyed. I remember feeling like I just had to take this to the next level and do something bigger for those girls. I mean, I couldn't NOT do something for them. I had spent my morning being surrounded by this beautiful little girls with their amazing energy and pure resilience. They all had sad stories but there they were, boxing with me and then dancing to the music as we concluded our time together.
I felt honoured and so incredibly blessed to have met them and they were such a reality check that we all have so much to be grateful for. We are all blessed in our own way and there is always something we can do to help each other out. Even if it's something as simple as sharing a smile or giving someone a hug, as in the case of these little girls, you do have the power to change someone's life for the better. You may never know the domino effect you start with one little deed of kindness but it does have an impact on someone.
And, just like that, I launched the Lil' Sistas Project.
A year later and my crew of fabulous awesome Lil' Sistas has grown from 18 to 76 and that's not even including the 10 Sistas at MJKO Boxing in Toronto, Canada who are a part of my Snail Mail Program for the Lil' Sistas. It also doesn't include my assistant, all those who have so generously donated or bought any of my fundraising items for the Project, nor does it include all those who have passed on a word of encouragement, liked a post or shared word of the Lil' Sistas Project.
One year. Only one year has passed. I'm super excited about what's going to become of this year with the Lil' Sistas but mark my words, it'll be epic. This past year was just the beginning, laying down the foundation. Stay tuned for the sure awesomeness that's evolving!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment