Monique Brouwer’s Brick Game

Have you played the famous Brick game? The goal of the game is for us to place uneven blocks together to make “a perfect horizontal line.”

This is how our friend, Monique started her journey to He Cares. Read on and learn the wisdom she gained.

Pao: Hi Monique! Welcome to the Philippines. Now, for the benefit of our friends, tell us something about your self.
Monique: Hi! My name is Monique Brouwer and currently I am volunteering for He Cares. I am 21 years old, and still a student in the Netherlands. This September, I will take up my master in Organization Science at the University of Tilburg.

Pao: Whoa! So how did you find our little foundation in this big world of ours?
Monique:  Ok. There is no school for half a year, (Don’t ask me why, because the story is too long). So I decided to do something useful with my time. I always wanted to go abroad, to have some “life-changing” experience and get to know other people and culture. That is why I joined AIESEC.

Pao: What is AIESEC?
Monique:  AIESEC is an international student organization, which creates traineeships all over the world. I decided that I wanted to do a development traineeship. First, I really wanted to go to Brazil, but my Spanish was not good enough to go there. Then I chose Asia, because of the number of traineeships located within the area. I choose the Philippines because of her natural beauty and it is an English speaking nation. (And what did you know?!!!) He Cares is listed on the database.

Pao: Quite a journey there! On a daily basis, what are your tasks at the foundation?
Monique: My colleague Saki (another AIESEC volunteer from Japan) made a catalogue for He Cares jewelry. (So I hope you will all have a look and buy a lot). Currently I am working in the Donate a Brick project. The project is about raising funds for a new center. For additional information, go to www.hecaresfoundation.com/donateabrick  

Pao: With your daily interaction with the street children, what wisdom have you gained?
Monique: I have to admit that the culture shock was big at first. There are so many differences between the way you live your lives and how I go about my daily routine at the Netherlands. Sometimes this can be a barrier when working together. But I think it is a valuable lesson to learn other culture. We just have to be more open and understanding with everybody.

An example would be the reality of poverty. I have never seen things like this before, except on television. Those children living on the streets, it really breaks my heart. I also noticed the big gap between the rich and the poor. I think it is a responsibility of the rich to educate the poor and get them out of that circle of poverty! But that is easier said than done.

On a personal level, I am learning more about myself, who I am, what are my character strengths and things I can work on. Understanding would be perfect example. I am not really a Christian, I have to admit it. However, there are a lot of good points that we will learn from the religion, like patience, forgiveness, and care for others. Although I don’t believe in God, it provides a set of guide lines on how to lead your life, most especially when times are tough.

Oh, another important thing I realized is the value of networks and relationships. I will take this social aspect back home to further my study.

Pao: I salute you for that! Do you have any parting words before we end this discussion?
Monique: When I am back in the Netherlands, my social responsibility for He Cares does not stop there. I think I can even do more than when I am here. I will sell the jewelries, and create more funding of our center.

Pao: And there you have it folks, our friend Monique who gives hope to our needy family members by building a shelter for the needy. Thank you for allowing me to do this interview.

Monique: No problem Pao. By the way, do you have some spare change? How about donating a number of bricks right now?

Pao: Sure! But let me first count my cash. I need to allot something for my fare.

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