It’s January 4, 2014 and we just finished tree planting in San Mateo. Although experiencing the peace and serenity of San Mateo is over, going back to the Avanai community makes it all better!
After playing basketball, we head back to the community as people invite us to take photos with them. Here are some of the shots taken. You’ll notice the sky gets progressively darker.
It’s time to load the bus. We’re followed all the way to the street. We want to go back another day! Avanai makes us feel so special.
Time for dinner. Tonight we decide to take a break from Filipino food
Another amazing day. Tomorrow we are back to the build site.
Thanks for following our travels. Please write your comments to us below.
Catholic Student Leadership 
so to be exact… this is a basketball/singing tour??
our second visit to Avanai was amazing! Our welcomes were amazing, the children held our names with pride and it made me feel special! I had fun dancing with them and playing games as well. The basketball game was hardcore, competitive and fun! I got really close to a few children especially Sophia; her face will always remain in mind and her smile in my heart! I hope to see the Avanai community once again and God willing I can give back to them in the future!
Dinner was great.. that fat chicken burrito, the apple crumble and ‘fat and chewy’ cookie! mmm! Amazing day overall
Avanai community welcomed us even better than the first time. When I was walking towards the kids I noticed that each kid had a leaders name and I did not see mine. I started to worry a bit and thought that they forgot about me but was happy to see my name with one of my favourites. The kids performance was amazing. It was really nice to see how welcoming they were.
The restaurant was familiar to the ones in toronto which really brought a joy to my face because I was getting tired of filipino food.. kidding! However I really enjoyed dinner this day and desert at banapple.
We loved Avanai so much, we just had to go back! Our second visit to the community was even better than the first with all the singing and dancing and their homemade turon and homemade fries. It was good that we were able to visit again and give gifts to the children as they showed so much appreciation and gratitude towards us which made me really happy.
I hope I can visit my friends at Avanai again in the future!
Have really enjoyed checking our email and following the travels each day.
Quite an experience for us – our compliments to Mike Consul and your photographer.
What memories you will have! Congratulations and God Bless you all.
Mollie Langdale (Lindsay Curtis grandmother)
Avanai was always so welcoming! They showed great hospitality the moment we entered their community. After hearing about the memorable build in Avanai during last year’s trip, I really hope we can make a positive difference to the AKC community as well. The kids were always excited to play activities and basketball which motivated me to work even harder at our build site. It is their love that builds the community.
I was so happy to see the Avanai kids one more time before our departure! I loved meeting them and I loved getting to play with them a second time even more. Seeing the kids so happy just because we came back melted my heart. When we go to communities like these, I have this hopeful feeling that soon we can help everyone else. I want to go back and see those kids grown up and working toward their bright futures!
Avanai community was just really amazing, locals were very hospitable, kids are full of happiness and the community was full of love. Avanai community was very unique compare to the other communities we visited. Kids were very talented as they perform in front of us. The people in Avanai gave me such an unforgettable memory of their community.
Our second visit to Avanai was so much fun, even better than the first visit. I personally really enjoyed being around the community leader. He seemed very connected with the community and was video taping us the entire time. I was so happy being around the Avanai children again and this time getting to play basketball with them as well! I will never forget the times spent in this community and their welcoming arms.
I’m going to miss this community!!!! They were so kind and the first thing that they did was the NICEST, SWEETEST, MOST LOVING thing ever. I was called by the best little girl in the world, Ryzza. She called my name and then ran to me and gave me a kiss. She was so happy to see me and I of her. I felt so happy and they were able to make me feel this way in a matter of seconds! I love this community and I feel like just giving them gifts isn’t enough. I hate looking at people and seeing that they have nothing. But whenever I see them, they are so happy. Their happiness gives me hope that they are alright but I still have the need to do something. This community is amazing and I wish to visit them again in the future!
Being able to return to the Avanai community for a second time was a blessing! They seemed happier to see us the second time and I felt even more welcomed into the community. They showed great hospitality and just going back one more time was amazing. Being welcomed with children holding up our names made me smile. Playing with the kids is always a great time and seeing their faces after we gave them gifts is priceless. The visiting the Avanai community is definately a highlight of our Philippines adventure and I hope that one day I can return to visit the community.
Visiting Avanai for the second time was even better than the first! I didn’t think they could top their first welcome but they did. They had all our names typed out on paper and a special kid close to us held the paper and called us on the mic. It was a great surprise and we picked up our relationships right where we left off. The kids were excited to play new games with us, things got pretty competitive. They were very thankful for the gifts and all the kids held our hands the entire night. I was pumped to be able to sing the community song again and the banana cue sticks were amazing. It was a sad goodbye but hopefully we will be able to visit again. IT’S US WHO BUILD COMMUNITY!!!
Our second visit to Avanai was exhilarating. Since we all knew how enthusiastic and energetic everyone from the community was, we were all so pumped to see them again. Each student had their names typed out which one lucky kid got to hold and call us up. The community again showed their great talents through the beautiful singing and dancing. We had new games this time to play with the kids and seeing them smile, laugh and having fun made me happy. When we were giving out the gifts, it was like christmas morning, i didn’t think their smiles could get any bigger but they did. I miss the kids already. All the best to the Avanai community, I hope to see you all again!
I’M SOOOO GLAD we got to visit Avanai again! They’re always filled with joy, happiness and great food! I was welcomed by a cute little girl named Ryzza (everywhere we go, there has to be 2 or more Ryzza’s, it can’t be just one). At first glance, she reminded me of myself. I actually thought she looked just like me when I was little! The feeling of being a celebrity never left; everyone was asking for pictures and autographs and I felt so nice! The performances they prepared for us was very entertaining LOL I could watch all day! The girl that sang with Erica had a very nice voice and talent, it’s impressive how she was able to perform on the spot. My group of kids seem to really enjoy the elephant game and Stella, they kept laughing so hard when someone is voted out. We had some nice homemade turon for merienda and my level of happiness went even higher! That is my favourite snack of alllll time, alongside banana cues. The basketball games were intense too, our all star team is the bombbb! When it was time to go, the little girls I met wouldn’t stop giving me kisses on the cheek and hugs; they wouldn’t let me go! It was so sweet of them to leave me souvenirs, I wish I had something to leave for them too. I’ll never forget about Avanai, I miss them so much!!!
Let the service begin again!