Mitch Alvarez, an ambassador for girls' empowerment, held an outreach event at a shelter for abused street girls. Activities included having the girls write about what makes them happy or sad about being girls, discussing hygiene, and receiving care packages. The author was invited to teach nail art, giving each girl a kit and showing them techniques like cupcake designs. Though they had limited time, the girls seemed to enjoy exploring their creativity and learning new skills.

1. I accepted an invitation to teach nail art for a cause.
Sharing with you my experience.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

2. “I Speak, I Love, I am” is a personal project of
Mitch Alvarez, the International Day of the Girl
Ambassador of the Asia Pacific Region on the World
Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

3. The goal is to empower girls by providing creative
and fun outlets for them. On May 18, 2013, Mitch
and her friends conducted an outreach program to a
shelter for physical/sexually abused street girls.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

4. That day, Mitch and her team promised the
girls meaningful conversations, laughter, and
perhaps some teary moments.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

5. They allowed me to participate in the activities they
prepared for the girls. The first one required them to
write down what makes them happy and/or sad
being a woman.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

6. The girls immediately went to their personal corners
to reflect on their answers.

7. As we helped them with their spelling and how to
express what they wanted to say, I found myself
reflecting on my own.

8. Some of the girls didn’t have any reason why they
need to feel sad about being a girl.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

9. Their answers were then posted on a wall to share
to everyone. We were all very anxious to read their
interesting answers.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

10. Some girls even drew! It was a good sign that they
took the activity seriously.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

11. There were reasons I never expected to read. The
girls surprised me with some of their answers. I
realized life can sometimes force you to grow up
beyond your age.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

12. There were reasons I never expected to read. The
girls surprised me with some of their answers. I
realized life can sometimes force you to grow up
beyond your age.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

13. Later, a few girls were asked to share their answers
for the entire group to reflect on.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

14. Jen took over the second activity. She discussed the
importance of personal hygeine. Each girl received
a loot bag containing toiletries and other personal
products they need.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

15. Every girl also received a haul containing a bible
and a personal letter written by sponsors.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

16. The month of May marks Mitch’s birthday and unlike
most, she wanted the outreach program to be a
celebration of her special day. Therefore, a cupcake
with a candle on it is in order. 
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

17. Happy birthday, Mitch! 
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

18. The third activity was to explore the girls’ creativity.
They were divided into 3 groups and were given
scraps to dress one member of the group.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

19. It was my turn to lead the last activity for the day. I
was invited to teach nail art to the girls. I knew that
an hour was not enough, but I had to give my best.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

20. I showed them a few simple nail art designs I’ve
done in the past to give the girls some enthusiasm
and encouragement.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

21. I believe a hands-on experience will be more fun so
I gave each girl her very own nail art kit. It included
a nail art brush, dotting tool, nail file, cotton pads,
palette, and acrylic paints. It also included a base
coat, top coat, and a bottle of nail polish. Simply Rins
18 May 2013

22. All polishes, base and top coats, were generously
sponsored by DAZZLE DRY Philippines. Since
drying time was not a problem, the girls only had to
wait a few minutes to start nail art painting! 
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

23. The girls got really excited and immediately played
with the tools when we handed them the kits.

24. It was a challenge to teach without a video demo so
I tried to attend to each girl to assist them when they
encounter some problems. Here am I showing a girl
how to properly hold a nail art brush ...
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

25. ... and how to handle a dotting tool.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

26. That afternoon, the girls learned how to do the
cupcake nail art.
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

27. I think they had lots of fun!
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

28. I wish I had more time with the girls and the proper
setup. But I hope they had a good time exploring
their creativity through nail art. It was a pleasure to
have shared with you the one thing I am most
passionate about.  Simply Rins
18 May 2013

29. Thank you, Mitch for the invitation and for letting me
be part of your wonderful project. It’s a first for
Simply Rins and it was a pleasure. 
Simply Rins
18 May 2013

30. Simply Rins
18 May 2013
All photos used in this slideshow were taken by my good friend Roz Racca.
Thank you very much for helping me document this event.