RC Makati Brings “Beware the Snakes” Book Reading for Luneta Street Kids

On any given Sunday, Luneta Park in Manila is alive with families enjoying a picnic-children running around in playful chaos and tourists leisurely strolling through the park. But the scene was different at one particular corner of this popular destination. A table was set with meals, blankets spread out on the grass, and around 30 street children gathered—eager for a special treat.

This is the weekly scene of the Bolanday Project, an initiative dedicated to reaching out to children living on the streets of Luneta. Every Sunday, the project offers these children not only a warm meal but also a nurturing environment through reading sessions, educational activities, and sports activities. For this year, RC Makati has proudly sponsored this meaningful effort.

On January 19, the event was particularly special. Led by Pres. Keith & Rachel Harrison, along with Inigo & Angela Garcia and their kids, as well as George & Anika Haxton and their son, the group read the pages of the book “Beware the Snakes” , which raises awareness of child abuse. The street children in attendance were vulnerable to such predatory abuses, thus the reading session was a very important activity for them.

A dedicated team of Rotaractors, including PP AJ Sembrano, PP Prame Cato, and Yelah Israel, assisted the Rotarians and their Anns in the reading session. Anika also brought along volunteer teachers Trisch and Jules, who put in their energy and creativity to make the activity more captivating for the children.

Soon after the completion of the reading session, the children were treated to meals prepared by Bolanday. The day became even more special as the group celebrated Trisha’s birthday, one of the kids. The celebration was complete with a heartfelt birthday song and the ubiquitous birthday cake, bringing smiles and joy to all.

It truly felt like a family day in Luneta—a beautiful example of the kind of Sunday we share in Rotary. Through their sponsorship of the Bolanday Project, RC Makati continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Luneta’s street children, showing that small, consistent acts of kindness can create a lasting impact.