It was raining all over Metro Manila that day but clearing skies at the venue were a blessing for the participants of Kythe Foundation’s first independent Kite Flying event. Held at the College of Science Amphitheater in the University of the Philippines Diliman, Kite Flying was a great opportunity for the kids to reunite with their friends from the different hospitals, avail of treats from the sponsored booths, and follow the exciting lineup of activities.
The CS Amphitheater’s outdoor setting, familiar from other Kythe advocacy tie-ups, was ideal for everything from a baybayin script workshop to arts and crafts, and the kids snacked along with kettle corn and Slurpees. In the open field, kids and volunteers spiritedly engaged in traditional Filipino games like sipa and tumbang preso.
The highlight of the event was the eponymous kite flying. In small groups, the kids and the volunteers worked to design their own colorful handmade kites out of materials from a kitemaking kit—some of which included messages of thanks to Kythe, some of which included drawings of their family members. Corporate sponsors raised kites, each with their own kites, into the air; all kites flew in unison as tribute to the inspiration of the Kythe kids from the past till the present, and their unceasing ability to give hope to the organization and to each other.
The successful first Kite Flying culminated in a flash mob by the volunteers and a distribution of sponsored freebies to the participating families. Kythe Foundation thanks the sponsors and volunteers of the event, and hopes to continue flying high with the kids and their families with Kite Flying in the future.