Outside the Four Corners of the Room

When I was a kid, I used to play on my own. Wearing my “pambahay” and my mom’s office shoes, I pretended that I was a teacher. The thing is my students were non-existent. My dad even bought flashcards and a white board for me so that I can use it during play time.

Back when I was in high school, our school required every student to join a club for extra-curricular activities. There were so many clubs to join to, but the Young Mentor’s Club (YMC) caught my interest and attention because it was like a cue for me to fulfill my dream as a teacher. As a freshman student, I did not have any friends to join me in the club, because we had different interests. And so I braved all alone to join YMC with no idea to whom and where I will teach. Luckily, I became a mentor by the age of 13. It was like a recreation of my childhood days, but this time I knew for sure that I have students and I felt really excited about it. Every week, we were asked to make activity sheets for grades 3-6 about basic Math, English and Science. Any member of YMC can volunteer to teach kids at Santissima Trinidad (just along Singalong/Estrada, Malate Manila) every Saturday afternoon, and so I grabbed the opportunity to do so.

In sophomore year, recruitment week came again and with no second thoughts, I joined YMC again, but this time I encouraged my friends to join me and so they agreed. It was even more fun, because not only was I fulfilled teaching kids but the fact that my friends and I are enjoying too made it more exciting. Every Saturday was booked for “date with the kids + barkada”. Unfortunately, I transferred school in my Junior year, and I thought that it would stop there.

Graduation 2012 came, and I thought of becoming an educator in College. But then I told myself that I was once a mentor, and I can still continue being one, even if it is not by profession.

In college, everyone attended NSTP. And yup I can say that they did, just because it was a requirement and every student had to pass it. But for me it was different, it was a chance for me to help and continue my voluntary work. This time I got involved in environmental works, where in we had our coastal clean-up and tree planting activities which I enjoyed very much. We even had our immersion at Mexico, Pampanga wherein we lived with the families that adopted us and helped them with their chores at home. 

Everything we did was a learning experience, because it taught me how to be socially responsible. In our institution, it does not stop with NSTP. We also had Lay Apostolate, a program similar to NSTP, but this time we have adopted communities to visit from time to time. Everything felt nostalgic to my YMC days because I will be able to teach and share what I know to the disadvantaged children again. I got sad when Lay Apostolate ended because it meant leaving my students whom I got too attached with.

With my experience, I can say that volunteering is an opportunity to meet new people and learn outside the 4 corners of the room. I am very hopeful that anyone can make a difference as long as the heart and mind is willing to do so. For now, I consider myself as a work in progress.

Contributed by: Angela Harder, a 3rd Year Mass Communication student from St. Scholastica's College- Manila

Being on the Right Path

            My experiences with CSR have not begun since I entered college. I had a course of NSTP (National Service Training Program) which exposed me to different communities outside my comfort zone. At first, I did not resent it but found not so much joy in it as well. I was in between. But then we started to participate in planting trees in Sierra Madre Mountain in Tanay, conduct story-telling activities in Pampanga, housing and livelihood activities in Onyx, Pandacan and other kinds of immersion.

            On our second semester, we coordinated with Dagonoy wherein we will be teaching children aged four to six years old. We had different activities such as story-telling, singing, teaching of basics such as counting and reading and playing games. The expressions of gratitude in both parties are highly evident and appreciated.

            In my sophomore year, I also had Lay Apostolate. It is NSTP’s prerequisite. I came to appreciate this even more because courses like this teach you to develop a sense of stewardship and concern for others. My favourite experience in Lay Apostolate was when we had students and do a one-by-one session once a week. I became really close to Colleen, my student, and she even gave me a letter on our last session.

            The same year, I had a volunteering experience on the Red Card Against Child Labor campaign of ILO (International Labor Organization). It was on RCBC and we asked for signatures for a petition. There was also a photobooth where the participants hold out the red card saying that they are against child labor. Participating with the said movement came with a free baller.

            When I reached my junior year in college, I took up the Principles of Development Communication course. My CSR experience under this course was when we coordinated with a community and explore their most evident developmental problem. The problem that we gave focus on was the livelihood for women. We coordinated with Jacinto and Lirio and DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) to be able to address this problem. This course gave me a clear sign that I should pursue Development Communication as my minor track.

            My Educational Communication course gave me a similar experience. We pre-tested educational materials such as story books with colouring activities and the like to pre-school students from a daycare in Dagonoy. The community was really accommodating and the children were very cooperative. We have conducted this activity through the help of FNRI (Food and Nutrition Research Institute).

            Looking back to my CSR experiences, I realized that I am on the right path because I love what I am doing. It does not really matter when things get difficult at times because the feeling of fulfilment is incomparable when certain goals for your beneficiaries become fulfilled.

Contributed by: Danielle Jane Teston, a 3rd Year Mass Communication student from St. Scholastica's College- Manila 

Volunteering is Contentment

It was December 2014 when my friend, Angel, who is the Outreach Liaison Officer of the Mass Comm organization invited me to our org’s outreach program-semi-Christmas-party for the children of Hospicio de San Jose, a foster home for elders, children and children with special needs. At first, I was hesitant since it was only officers were required to go and it was a free day for me where I can rest and be free from school-related stuff, but I don’t know hit me and accepted her invitation.

It was just near SM Manila where I have felt a heartwarming experience and was given the opportunity to make these beautiful children happy. I will not forget my reaction when I first saw the children entering that covered court. I was teary-eyed on my sudden realization that I am very blessed for the life I have today, and because of sympathy I felt towards the children. I am saddened by the fact that they have special needs yet are away with their biological families who should be taking care of them. I tried not to be emotional but when I looked around, I saw my orgmates tearing up and so my tears fell as well. That emotional moment made me more enthusiastic in bringing them joy on that Christmas season.

The first game we played was ‘Stop Dance’ wherein an Ate (which is us) and one child will be partnered up. I forgot to get my partner’s name but he was very jolly and competitive during the game. Despite his condition, wherein he cannot stand or sit up straight, he played attentively. Also, I had to hold his hand in order to dance since he also could not control his sudden movements. Unfortunately we did not win but he said he had fun, and I did too.

After the games, they ate the Chicken joy and soft drinks that we brought for them. Some of the children needed t o be fed by their caregivers and some needed ostracized food in order to eat. After some were done eating, I amused them with a magic trick I can do with playing cards, and even taught them the secret behind it. I have never been so enthusiastic performing a magic trick until that day. Maybe because they were really hooked with my performance or maybe because I was too excited doing that little magic trick for them, either way I was glad that they enjoyed it.  After everybody had finished their food, it was time to bid farewell but after we performed a little song number for the kids. Since it was Christmas season, we sang the famous “Star ng Pasko,” the station ID song of ABS-CBN. And I was not surprised that almost everyone knows the lyrics and sang with us. It was just a moment of pure bliss for all of us. Making the kids happy and seeing them happy really made my heart melt.

I would say that, that free day was not put into waste; in fact it was the most productive and fulfilling free day of my college life yet. I never regretted and will not ever regret the day I accepted my friend’s invitation.  The original plan was making these children feel a little less lonely on Christmas season but I was the one who was touched by the event and made my Christmas season a lot more meaningful. This experience made me more grateful with my life, and made me realized to be contented with even the littlest blessing I receive every  day. From that day on, I told myself not to ever think twice when someone comes asking me to volunteer for an outreach program, because I know and guarantee myself that it would be a wonderful and fulfilling experience.

Contributed by: Ivanca Tangpos, a 3rd Year Mass Communication student from St. Scholastica's College- Manila

Making “SOMEDAY” Happen

Honestly, I've lived a life where I have volunteered very little. I mean the most I've ever volunteered for was helping pack donations for typhoon victims. Actually being part of a team for a project meant to aid a community was something that did not happen to me until last year. However, my inaction did not mean pure indifference towards worldly issues. I’d like to think myself as someone at least mildly socially aware. I mean a feel a real uncomfortable feeling when I see the visible, tangible forms of these issues in our world: seeing beggars down the streets; innumerable rows of shanties; smog enveloping the air; and many more problems.  This persistent imagery of social ills has always disturbed me. Yet all I did before was think to myself that someday in the future I will be able to help change things. Yet as the years went on that “someday” just didn't seem to come. I would imagine how it would be like to actually help, yet nothing ever came of it. I didn't have any initiative before. Yet as I got older I came to realize that I had to make “someday” happen—it had to happen now. And so at the moment I am at a point in my life where I can make more meaningful choices and actually aid people in ways I've not done before.

Honestly, this is just the beginning so I don’t have many stories to tell. I can briefly talk about lifestyle changes I've been trying to commit to, but I feel like I’m at a point in my life where I can’t really reduce the consumption of my household to a degree I believe is adequate. In general, it is only now that I am actually finding opportunities to be slightly more socially active as I grow more aware of issues and as the root problems of these issues reify in my head. So what am I doing now? I guess I am looking for opportunities to volunteer and looking for the concrete ways I can directly help people. Volunteering in BCYF is probably the first extra-curricular I am doing that’s development related. Hopefully, this won’t be the last.

Contributed by:. Nicolas Santiago, a 4th Year Development Studies student from Ateneo de Manila University

Disclaimer: The author of this story permitted us to post his story online. The photo used here was uploaded through Facebook. 

Changing the World One Word at a Time

In college, I went to a former all-girl school. It was during our batch when our university started accepting male students for all courses because it was only for Music students before.
 
Being part of a university paper was one of my goals, but I was also reluctant of joining because of my tendency to get bored with grammar and assessment tests. Good thing, I became friends with the EIC (but I didn’t know that she’s the EIC when we became friends) and stepping in the organization turned easy. Hence, I still had to take the exam but at least in zero anxiety anymore!
 
Another reason why I joined the organization is I really do not want to entertain the idea of running the college council. I was being wooed to run as officer, but I’d rather be in a tangible output-related field that’s why I took the newspaper group. Plus, we can enjoy the perks of a good office compared to other student council officers. We also got the immunity from events, meaning we can get in without paying for tickets and still getting the front row seat and back stage pass with just one big, reusable and authoritative PRESS ID.
 
A year later I joined, I became an editor for literary. While I was hanging out in the office one summer day, our EIC gave me a huge responsibility: to head the first literary folio that was taking eons to get published and was handed over by many people already.
 
Upon publishing the first issue, I gained popularity in school. And my newspaper column also became a hit. I enjoyed the status because I doubled my number of acquaintances. But what I really loved is that my column reflected the things that other students also want to say. It feels good to be a writer and be the voice of people. Finally, the meaning of “catalyst of change” found its sense. I write because it helps change perspectives, to provide actions.
 
What a divine medium.

Upon graduation, my first job was in the magazine publication of the marketing and advertising industry. My fondness for advocacy-related advertisements grew further when I began featuring those works. I told myself that someday I will do something like that.

I moved out, went to another firm where I learned other facets of cross industries. I learned that some companies use “goodness” to offset their offense to the society and the environment. Take, for example, tobacco.

Hence, we cannot always be ideal but we can provide alternatives. We cannot say that a certain industry is entirely bad because we have to face the truth that they help other people through employment. It is just really a matter of looking at different perspectives.

As a copywriter, I found myself not really tamed down in exposing the truth. Rather, it challenges me to say those things in a creative yet mentally stimulating way. It is art, science, and ‘heart’ altogether. All the creative life solutions that I present, especially with CSR Life, are meant not just to provide alternatives but also to continue moving people towards better living. It is meant to influence. It is meant to chage methodologies. It is meant to be an aid in reflecting how far we have gone to make this world a better place, one person and one decision at a time.

Contributed by: Lalissa Singson, a creative writer 

Disclaimer: This story was authorized to be posted online by its author

Thomas S. Monson has said, “We discover something about ourselves when we learn about our ancestors.” On a related note, our National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal was remembered in saying: “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinangalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.”

Such were my thoughts and experiences when I accepted the call to serve as a Family History Support Missionary for FamilySearch.

I am Larry N. Caduada Jr., graduating from the University of the Cordilleras with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. I am engaged in a myriad of volunteer work and leadership responsibilities, both in Church and in Society. I am also an Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. But among the many things that I have in this life, I am profoundly grateful of being a son and a brother in our family. I am the only boy in the family, and the eldest among 4 siblings. One can go as far in saying that I am their “Big Brother.”

Let me tell you about what I do. As I described earlier, I am serving as a FamilySearch Support Missionary. FamilySearch is a free service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [commonly known as “Mormons”]. FamilySearch’s commitment to helping people connect with their ancestors is rooted in the Mormon belief that families are meant to be central to our lives and that family relationships are intended to continue beyond this life. Because interest in family history is not limited by culture, ethnicity, or religious faith, FamilySearch’s resources are available to everyone who wants to discover more about their family and their heritage, from church records in Europe to oral histories in Africa.

As a non-profit organization, FamilySearch relies on the support of volunteers throughout the world. These volunteers help index records, provide personal assistance, and share their knowledge about genealogy research. [taken from http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/familysearch]

Being a Family History Support Missionary means being a part of a worldwide group of dedicated volunteers who assists patrons as they work to identify their ancestors and link families. We provide both guidance and answers to those who contact FamilySearch by phone, chat, email, or social media. All service is done in our homes using your own computer and telephones. Aside from this missionary service, I have volunteered as an Indexer. FamilySearch indexing is an online system where volunteers view a digital image of a record, then type in the names, dates and places listed on that record.  This digital data is used to create a searchable index that makes it possible for people to quickly find records about their ancestors. [taken from http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/fast-facts-about-familysearch-indexing]

Having accepted the call to serve in Family History since the age of 15, I have been blessed to have such an opportunity to use my education and my skills with the Computer and related technologies to be of help to people who are seeking for assistance as they learn about their deceased loved ones, and as they preserve memories of the past generations for the benefit of future generations. It has been a happy yet humbling moment for me to be serving others, and to see their joy as they learn from and make connections with their ancestors. I feel edified as they find such long-lost connections, and as they feel so grateful for having found and learned of those people who came before them.

I have also accepted different service opportunities and responsibilities, be it in Church, in School, and in the community. I have served as a College Governor, as a Mentor, a Trainer, a Coordinator and Organizer for different projects and activities, and many more. I accepted these tasks, responsibilities and callings because I see this as an opportunity to share my talents, skills and knowledge, for the improvement of the lives of others. I have that personal disposition of striving to make things better for those who are around me. It gives me a sense of fulfilment and gratitude to God, having been an instrument of being a blessing and an answer to someone’s prayer. It is an expectation for the present generation, that when we will leave this world, we have made it a better place for those who will come after us.

From these experiences, I have learned the importance of hard work and sacrifice, as well as the need of being sensitive to the needs of others, and to go for an extra mile for someone who may be in need of our help. It is also important to be a good follower, and a good listener. Being a Young Single Adult in the service, we work with fellow missionaries, volunteers, and even patrons who are advanced in their years. I just find it exciting and fulfilling to be working with these people who are loving and understanding, and who have much to offer to us, the rising generation, in terms of their wisdom and lessons from their experiences.

Another lesson that we can learn is the principle of optimism and gratitude. Life may be full of trials and challenges, but when we choose to be grateful and positive, life becomes better, and we gain the strength and the disposition to rise above our challenges. Focusing on things that matters most in our lives also greatly helps us. Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said: “If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.” [taken from https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng]

It is also important to be a good leader. The world needs leaders who are willing to follow and listen, and who uphold moral principles. I am striving to follow examples of leaders who embody such principles. I believe that an effective leader can inspire confidence among his associates, and can help them build their own self-confidence and skills, and to become better at what they do. It is also important to be quick to learn and observe, and then quick to serve. Such is a wonderful principle that I have learned from a respected mentor and friend of mine.

It has been said that when one learns and understands who we are and where we came from, we can make this world a better place. I testify that this is true. I have seen that such understanding has changed my life for the better. It has made me grateful for my family and for their example, their love and their sacrifices that they have made so that we can be successful in life. It has also given me that perspective of placing importance on families, and to look forward for a bright future.

Being in the service of others is truly a wonderful blessings and opportunity for me because I know that as we strive to be in the service of our fellow beings, we are serving the Lord. And such service is truly worth it!!!

To everyone else out there, let us stand, wherever we are, for what is right. Let us be the forefront in serving others. There are people who are in need of our help. They need our help. They need us. As we work together, in our respective fields, skills and responsibilities, we can indeed make this world a better place for everyone.

Going through Tough Times: My Story as a Volunteer (Part 1)

                                    

Robin Williams, in the movie Dead Poets Society, played the charismatic professor John Keating who inspired his students to become lovers of poetry to the point of living their best potential in their prime as young idealistic boys. This role played by the great actor inspired more educators to go beyond the normal mode of teaching to give their students a hand in growing themselves in wisdom through life experiences, rather than just growing their grades. After all, life is not defined by abstract concepts, but by the lessons that actual events provide.

Carpe Diem. This quote in the movie left an indelible mark to me as a High School student. The posted challenge to go beyond one’s limitations to get one’s desired goals gave me a sense  of perspective as to how do I would act upon the fulfillment of my personal vision. Of course, as a volunteer, I have tied my vision to public service.

Before watching that film, I was just your typical introverted student intellectual cowering through tons of reading material in the school library hoping to know every single fact this world would provide. During that time, I was already contented with the fact that I was performing well in my academics. I find it not necessary to take part of any student group since this would distract me from my pursuit for higher grades. Yes, this was what I though the only thing that I will and can do. It was not a good idea for me then to go out and venture, not until the weekly sessions with the kids.

My very first volunteer involvement was in a Day Care Center in Project 4 where I taught forty toddlers how to create their own stories through games. This was a requirement in school that I need to accomplish, hence the need for me to drag myself at first. In the first sessions, as young as they are, I started tickling their imaginations by inventing my own stories. Without a storybook in my hand, I started to create doodles of characters while dramatizing the story through my changing voices.

At first, the children found it weird to hear such narratives not found in any traditional story books. But, as I placed various elements together from alien space ships to flying animal creatures, the children started to laugh so hard that their favorite superheroes such as Astro Boy and Batman became part of the same universe. From the blue heavens to the black Makati skyline, my stories went around the world in the same rate as the children rolled in the floor in excitement of what would be the next scene of the story.

After doing this for five more times, the children can already relate the plots to the point that they are depicting the characters even during their free play times. I can’t believe how my characters gave them a space to dream their own scenes. When I was about to end my duty in the center, even though I was saddened to the fact that I would not meet them as regularly as before, I became joyful to the breakthroughs that happened to me and to the kids.

As they became more creative and attached to the stories, I then started to believe that through volunteerism, I was able to express my core gifts from God without expecting a return. It is by giving that I received the grace and the gift of purpose. Soon enough after this, I started to teach public school elementary students.

To be continued in another article.

Contributed by: Kevin Dela Cruz from Checkmyschool.org

Disclaimer: This post was approved my the author of this blog article