Send Hugs to the Children of Marawi

The Department of Health (DOH) recently reported that evacuees, or bakwit, from the war torn Marawi experiences depression, trauma, and a host of mental disorder. DOH says that this is the effect of the bakwits’ the ongoing war between government forces and the Maute terrorists.

The DOH and DSWD are doing various interventions to help the bakwits cope with the depression. They do drawing, Zumba, sharing of experiences. Volunteer doctors and psychiatrists were also on board to help the refugees.

Unfortunately, these efforts are not enough. Thus, 1000BearHugs with the Dominican Province of the Philippines launched a toy drive campaign to help the most affected by the war in Marawi: the little children.

1000 Bearhugs is a special reach out to kids by kids put the spotlight to children displaced by disaster and conflict.

To children, teddy bears and stuffed toys are imaginary friends who are effective comfort givers in times of extreme stress and fear. These cute and cuddly toys will help them heal from trauma or tragedy.

1000 Bear Hugs only accepts toys that are:

1. Adorably cute and in good condition.

2. Huggable size (minimum of 6 inches height and maximum of 24 inches height)

3. Clean and ready for distribution

They do not accept the following toys:

1. Non-stuffed

2. Scary-looking

3. Pigs or wild animal replicas

4. Weapon-like (i.e. teddy bears holding a gun)

5. Battery-operated

6. Damaged or soiled

Those who are interested to send hugs to the children of Marawi may drop their cute and cuddly toys at the Sto. Domingo Parish Information Center, which located along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.

The collection period is from June 15 to July 15.

For more information, you may send a message to @1000Bearhugs at Twitter.

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