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Yvonne Ryan - one of our Pantene winners |
We had people wanting to spend the money on shoes, champagne, exercise gear, better bras, as well as people wanting to spoil their families, friends and children. It was all very fun and it was great to see women thinking about treats for themselves and the people around them.
One of the winners was a lovely lady by the name of Yvonne Ryan who said that if she won she'd take her haircare savings and donate items to children in need overseas.
True to her word Von headed to Bali this week and took with her a bundle of treats to give to the children in a Balinese orphanage. She used her "Pantene money" on rice, colouring books, toys, textas, lollies and clothes to help brighten the lives of children who have so little.
She also took sanitary items for the teens and toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Von says "The children basically survive on donations with only a little help from the Government. Five ladies run the orphanage and were so grateful." She went on to say that the most needed items are rice, sanitary products, toothpaste, shampoo and washing detergent.
I was so excited to get a message from Von sharing her experience on Facebook on the actual day of her orphanage visit.
This isn't the first time Yvonne has done this. She did something similar in Thailand last year even handing out care packages to strangers on the streets in some of the areas that experienced particular struggle.
It also won't be her last. She's already planning a return visit to the Bali orphanage in July.
When I asked her how she manages her luggage on these trips she told me she just takes carry-on for herself and dedicates her checked luggage to her gifts. She also said that her baggage did "go slightly over" in weight terms but once she explained the purpose of her trip the airline waivered the excess luggage fee. She buys the rice on arrival.
To be honest I hadn't given Yvonne's mission much more thought after the Pantene competition had closed and our winners had received their prizes. But true to her word she has payed it forward and is now celebrating her win with us all over again.
Thank you so much Von! You've definitely shown us how we can all Shine Strong.
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A table full of gifts for the children at a Balinese orphanage |
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sleeping arrangements at the orphanage |
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Children loading up their gifts |
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Isn't this little girl gorgeous! |
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Wearing her new princess nightdress |
This is fabulous - we can all do a little more...
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story and woman! WE should all do this a little more but it is great to see someone actually DOING it and actually paying it forward. Oh if there were only more Von's in this world :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic thing to do.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome person, I bet the kids loved her visit. Kindness goes a long way.
ReplyDeleteIf only the world consisted of more people like Yvonne. Makes me want to be a better person and do something for someone else, not for me.
ReplyDeletesuch a wonderful result from a blog giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteAi @ Sakura Haruka
What a lovely lady and a nice impact from your blog comp.
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful, what a wonderful thing to do with her extra money.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful soul! I love selfless acts like this. X
ReplyDeleteThat;s awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness what an amazing soul she is, thanks for sharing that good news story x
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully generous woman. We need more people like her!
ReplyDeleteamazing Von and thank you Pantene such an amazing company for making this possible to happen :)
ReplyDeleteI finally worked out how to post a blog!! Thank you all ladies for your lovely comments, l am so lucky to be able to travel to be able to help the less fortunate. The children are totally amazing and very grateful, their eyes just light up when they receive gifts. My garage was getting quite piled up with clothing and essentials for the next trip but l have taken a lot to Melbourne for friends to carry. Their are 13 of us going on our next trip so we can take lots. l have a few friends that are giving me money for a bag of rice and when we get their we are going to the supermarket to fill a few trolleys of personal needs for the teenage girls and treats for the children. l will send through photo's of the children . I firmly believe one person can make a difference!!!
ReplyDelete