Smiles sent across the miles

The children in five villages in the Philippines are receiving clean water, food and medical and dental assistance thanks to Mission Love Seeds.
But sometimes a child just needs to laugh and smile.
And Barbi Carroll, president of Mission Love Seeds based in Destin, found a way to send smiles to children in the Philippines.
“Some generous soul donated two  children’s swings made from  tires,” Carroll told The Log. “One in the shape of a horse and the other is an ox.”
Carroll knew the swings needed to get to the Philippines because the children have nothing to play on, and most had never even seen a swing.
The horse swing made its way across the miles packed in the bottom of a shipping box, with clothing tucked inside the horse’s head and body so as not to waste space.
Last week, the horse swing was hung in Admiral Village and will also be used by the children living in Dumpsite, next door to Admiral.
“Some of the kids didn’t smile, because they were uncertain of it,” Carroll said. “Most have never even seen a swing.”
The ox swing will be sent at a later date to the children in the villages of Pantay/Galilee.
Mission Love Seeds also ships small toys, such as Matchbox cars and trucks, Barbie dolls and Beanie Babies.
“The children love the Beanie Babies,” Carroll said. “Most sleep with them and carry them around all day. During our visit in March, some of the little girls brought their Barbie Dolls still in boxes they received from sponsors two or three years ago. They were happy to just look at the doll. One of our team members took the doll out of a package and handed it to the child to play with. You should have seen the smile on her face.”
To make a donation, contact Carroll at (850) 865-1055, e-mail www.missionloveseeds.org or visit missionloveseeds.org to see the work they do.