Of Freelance Writing and Donating

by Kristine

Freelance writing for clients outside the country allowed me to have my own Paypal account. And having my own Paypal account with funds meant disaster.

Why? Because of online shopping.

But somehow, I think that Paypal account gave me the option to easily help others, animals and humans alike, who need our help.

Having my own money from freelance writing which I could access anytime made me think I could buy anything from eBay, Google Checkout, Amazon and other E-Commerce websites. While I strongly, strongly resist my urges to shop (which I did…most of the time), I still treat myself (and my cats and dogs) to some bargains that I find every once in a while.

But with the onset of typhoons which have devastated my country for the past couple of months, I really restrained myself from shopping and did one thing that I could do to help: DONATE.

While a lot of people are helping out pack things in relief centers, I was at home, typing away my articles, checking more freelance writing jobs, and donating to organizations, charities and even to PAWS to help our fellow Filipinos and animals to at least get back on their feet after Ondoy and Pepeng.

Since I’m living in the suburbs of Metro Manila, I couldn’t go to those places where they need volunteers even if I wanted to. When Ondoy was here, even NLEX was flooded and I couldn’t go to help pack those things or to go to areas which needed help. So all I did was to donate.

It felt good sharing your hard-earned money to help other people. And not only people, but also animals, BTW. Donating to PAWS was also very touching – probably the most touching donation I’ve made.

After donating a seemingly little amount to PAWS via MeFindHome.org, I thought that was it. I didn’t donate a big amount of money, so I wasn’t expecting anything in return. But I was so, so, so touched when I received an email from the Program Director of PAWS, Anna Cabrera, thanking me for the donation and asking me if I can come visit PAWS so that I can see where my donation would go and to meet those furballs.

Being an animal lover, I was saddened by the sight of dogs and cats being stuck on roofs, hungry and cold. As I am writing now, I still choke back on tears because I can’t think of my own dogs and cats being in such condition, and I still cry when I read stories of rescued animals from MeFindHome.org, like this particular story about a highway kitten named Shaun that I was reading just this morning, and this story about Einsten in Provident Village.

Animals are living things, too. They need shelter, love, company and food. Living and growing up surrounded by animals from dogs to cats to birds and guinea pigs, I’ve always had a strong advocate for animal rights. That’s why PAWS is and will always be close to my heart.

I didn’t think that freelance writing would let me help other people. I guess that Paypal account with my earnings didn’t only make online shopping easier for me – but also made me help more people (and animals!) easier and faster.

What about you? What have you given to our fellow Filipinos as a help from your freelance writing jobs? How did your freelance writing profession help you to help human and animal typhoon victims? I’d love to hear from you!