Patricia Erika Lim
I have joined many outreach activities and encountered different kinds of people. Growing up in an area that is close enough to be considered as a depressed area, I could understand well the situations that often most people, especially the students of an exclusive school, would only see in an outreach activity. These everyday experiences aided me to determine what kind of help we could extend for our final CWTS implementation.
As we tread again the steps that brought us to Bahay Nakpil, I couldn’t help but wonder what our two-day implementation would bring us. The first time we got to Quiapo, I discovered a lot of things about the place and most especially the people. I enjoyed the activities we had for the children. We got tired the first time we conducted an activity, because nothing prepared us for the energy of the children there. They were so excited for what we were to do. And I thought, would it be like the first time, with children so enthusiastic and energetic?
The summer implementation was just like that and more. Nothing prepared me for the bulk of the children that went there and see what we will do for them! They enjoyed everything, the plenary about sanitation, the mini-tutorial session and the art workshop. I guess, it’s the thirst for knowledge that made them excited about everything; that the students who went there care for them and willing to spend time with them. It’ not about the materials or the giveaways that pushed them to attend the two-day activity but it’s the thought that “we matter to other people.”
During the first day of implementation, we decided to have a plenary about sanitation. It’s not to offend them but to teach them the proper ways to care not only for themselves but to their environment as well because sanitation is not only about brushing your teeth or washing your hands. It is also about proper waste management and disposal. We asked somebody to pray so that the activity would start. A Muslim boy was asked to pray and the way he prayed was so different from what we are taught as Catholics. After that, a catholic girl prayed. As they prayed, everybody was silent. It didn’t matter whether you are a catholic or a muslim because for them, they are all equals. The plenary ended and we gave out toothbrushes with toothpastes. They clamored for it and everybody wanted to have a piece of it.
The second day is for the tutorial and the art workshop. Everyone is so participative and they enjoyed how the lessons went. They teased each other when they answered in a nice way. The children made everything fun. The art workshop acted as the venue for the children to express their creativity and to learn how to express themselves. Some of them even got the artistic talent. They made their own piece of art. The children enjoyed as they kneaded and molded the clay we gave them.
Sometimes, people took for granted other people’s lives. They never got out from the comfort zone that they usually inhibit. The implementation for CWTS provided the necessary experience for the students to care, to help and to make other people matter. We got nothing out of the projects we planned but the thought that we made the children enjoy for the span of two days is worthy enough despite the tiredness we felt after all has been done.
Almira Beatriz D. Alipon
I had never given much thought on how lucky my state in life is. I live my life attending on the requirements laid by my parents. I do that to make them proud of me. I get what I want when I ask for it. I go to an exclusive school. I shop whenever I want. I have driver to drop off and fetch me. These are the things that make me happy. But who would have ever thought that one day, my source of true happiness happened without lavishness, that all I had to do was to be part of a team and mingle with children.
It was April 18, 2009 when I first walked through the hall of Bahay Nakpil. I loved the place for the fact that I’m an old-fashioned admirer. I knew I’m about to experience new things with new people with new goal. I kept on reminding myself the purpose of being there – to help. Of course I had experienced helping but this was different. Here, I felt a need of passion for it, to make them feel my motivation and sincerity.
When we were oriented, we waited at the living room which was an atmosphere of calmness. We heard nothing but the little noises coming from the neighboring houses and people loitering outside. There were two children introduced to us first. They hid their faces because of shyness. We were new to them and so are they to us. After all the forcing done, finally, they introduced themselves. Here came the children, to my surprise, we were outnumbered.
These children of Bahay Nakpil – like the typical – were loud. But I noticed that despite their loudness, comes a unique trait about them, they were happy to see us and did not show a trace of boredom. This got me going; it made me double my goal. I wanted them to enjoy the time we are with them. They played games and after that, we served them the merienda we prepared for them. It was time to go home and their temporary goodbyes were filled with gratitude for a day of fun.
On our second and last day of implementation, we went to National Museum. The children were enthusiastic to see what’s inside. I thought it would bore them but I was not disappointed, they were appreciative. They showed eagerness to learn new things. It was lunchtime when I saw them restless. It was in a park where they played in a playground. It seemed that they wanted to take home the whole park.
This experience made me feel conscious on how my path goes. Sooner, I feel I will have to thank my parents for being wonderful persons, for fulfilling my necessities and for loving me unconditionally. It was an achievement for me to be able to reach out to other people and for doing little things that surprisingly made them happy.