When was the last time we stopped being so caught up with ourselves and started being involved in the lives of others with real needs? Do you know that joy is a by-product of serving others?
I, together with other volunteers, namely Via Fajardo, Dave Mariano and JR Federico, stayed in Brgy. Pinagbayanan in Laur the past few weeks. We went there to teach Basic Computer Literacy and Dance lessons together with Ms. Mayflor Artagame.
We were one of those volunteers that were selected out of a hundred applicants! I barely know JR and Via... and surprisingly, I was paired with Dave. I had to mingle and live with them for almost half a month... Luckily, they're such good people and our group was in good terms.
On the night of our arrival, together with the facilitators! :D
Laur is a farming community and dwelling in a place like that is new to me.
People there wake up as early as 3, 4 or 5. -_-
I'd wake up to the sound of the rooster and the smell of the pigs. What you'll appreciate every waking day is that the sunrise there seems to be glorious -- no buildings blocking the view... and lesser smog.
Ako ay nanibago dahil ang lalim ng Tagalog doon.
"Mag gayak ka na. Alis na tayo. Teka, di ka sasama. 'Di uubra."
"Sa ating pagpupulong nais kong..."
"ahhh ma'am, yari na po!"
We joined KADRE in their general assembly
KADRE, our partner organization, is a cooperative composed of farmers around Barangay Pinagbayanan that started out with less than 20 members. At the present, they're already around a hundred.
We're supposed to teach farmers but ended up teaching kids, youth and old women. woohoo go girls!
Our first day of classes! Off we go to R.D.C.A.S! =)
on my first day of teaching =)
So here's my partner for the Basic Computer Literacy Class, Dave :)
Our schedule day in day out is just like that... Teach kids in the morning then teach day care workers in the afternoon. It doesn't sound as exhausting but it was. On the brighter side, every session gives you a rewarding feeling every time you achieve your goals for the day or simply just knowing that your students got what you're trying to say.
Dance classes led by JR and Via =)
Of course at the end of the day or the week, we'll reward ourselves with some foods and other trips! --Like a walk around town or just have a splash at the nearby river!
after class -- haggard looking -_-
food trip with mah roomies!
with Annemarie and Ms. Meps
wasn't able to bid goodbye to this girl. Missing you badly, Annemarie :(
We also went to see the Municipal Hall and surprised to see how it looks better than any other municipal hall around Manila.
oh, the photo above isn't the facade of the building by the way. It's much more than that :p
I got a nice ride, right? leggo! riding the carabao like a donya.
This was around 4AM. We got up early just to see the process of milking them carabaos. Poor mommy carabao. It looks painful -_- Aghhh
On our first weekend, we went to Dupingan and did mountain climbing spontaneously. I ascended and ran to the top barefoot!
It took us quite some time to get to the top...
We also took a dip at the cold river just below the mountain with an inappropriate swimming attire -- leggings ftw!!!
It was one happy day with the youth participants =)
Sooo... have you ever crashed a wedding? 'Cause we did!!!
This kid is so adorable...can't get my eyes off him!!!! <3 P.S. He is not photogenic...he's way too cute in person!
On the day of our cancelled culminating activity, we went through the fields and caught some salagubangs! We also watched in awe some fireflies lit up! <3
Of course I won't leave without trying out something I don't normally do and that is...to eat inadobong salagubang! tada!!!
tried the Salagubang with Ms. Meps :p Never thought I'd do that x-p
The struggle with teaching there was having to teach most people with zero knowledge on the computer. There's the need to go hands on with each of them. Somehow leaves me with wishful thinking that I have a lot of body so I can simultaneously supervise one by one. My patience was tested to the extremes...
despite that, I'm happy knowing I've imparted something they can use. Seeing my students smile are priceless :p In return, I'm also grateful for the things I've learned along the way -- lessons that can't be grasped or perceived in the photos.
What inspired me is the students' eagerness to participate in the classes. Some of my students will have to wake up extra early and cross a mountain to get to our venue =) that touched my heart :')
Being in the summer of service made me realize there are a lot to be thankful for...
Pray, not only because you need something - but because you have alot to be thankful for :)
according to Brother Vic, there are two most important decisions in life:
first is to enter DLS-CSB, and second is to join Summer of Service
the team doing "the VIA pose" lol
Definitely the highlight of my summer 2012!
Laur and my team, you'll surely be missed... I know our roads will cross again someday :)
