MAG BAYANIHAN TAYO! GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE YOUTH STUDENTS

Hello everyone! I am Zam and I am proud to be a youth volunteer.

Growing up I realized how fortunate I am to have to have comfortable life and a loving grandparents that has always been by side throughout my ups and down in life. I couldn't ask for more. My grandparents has always raised me to be a Good Samaritan and to always help other people especially the needy ones. That's is why I always love to volunteer and help in our community.

We are a nation of people that generally inclined to help one another and to uplift the society. We may not all be good Samaritans, but neither are we heartless toward our neighbors, right? Besides that, I have always had a soft heart for young children that really needs help and our attention. Upon knowing that our Municipality and the youth organization in my Grandmother's town will be having and out reached program for the children in San Juan Elementary School here in Dumingag, I decided to joined without any hesitation.

Supported by the local government of our town, we went to San Juan elementary school to do our thing and that is to volunteer and help these young children. Reaching out to them is something we can do to help them. This school is located at the top of the mountain, no cignal and these children will have to walked Atleast 2 to 3 hours just to be at school.

Although the scorching heat of the sun faces us, it did not stop us from our mission of helping them. The bags are heavy as we brought school stuffs, slippers and some foods for them. But seeing these kids running to our direction was a heaven. I can't really contain what I feel that moment. As it was very powerful feeling seeing and looking through their eyes the excitement and their innocents smile. It was a rare moment for me to be a little emotional as early as we had arrived.

Welcoming them

One of the most important areas where volunteer work is needed is working with children, right? We have a responsibility to the youth of this country to make sure they grow up as an essential part of the community. By the way we are escorted by the Barangay captains by the way, these are the children and pupils of the small elementary school. All of them give us their warmest smile as we start the event with the welcome program.Talking to them was a glow of sunshine.

This is the lecture series in which my co volunteer discussed to them the important of proper health care for everyone. We can really feel the eagerness of these pupils to learned. It did not took us a lot of time because they were all very cooperative and participative in discussion.

Foods for their Stomach

I couldn't described exactly how these kids reacted when we told them that we will give them some foods. They where just their feet and ready to get the plates. We served them arozzcaldo and hotdogs as their lunch. There is no avoiding a child’s eyes looking up at you, an amputee holding out an empty Plate and smiling towards at you when you gave them foods.

By just looking at them eating, I stomach was already full. It was just pure joy watching them. I asked some of them, what food they wanted to eat. They replied to my fried chicken from Jollibee. The kids were just very honest that they have not yet tasted one. That really breaks my heart. I promised them that next time we visit here I will talk to the local government for their simple request. I personally believed that I made a connection with a particular child, dining together is a great way to spend time with them builds and strengthen intrapersonal relationship.

Gift Giving

The gift giving was probably the best moment during our outreach program. These are the gift we carried throughout here. It was all worth it. These slippers would surely help them. We know how they really struggle walking just to be in school, This slippers would provide them protection for sure. I am also very thankful for the big help financially of our LGU.

Their eyes light up when they even saw these gift and school supplies. They were all excited to received and used their new supplies. The kids formed a line in receiving their gifts. I can now proved that it is really better to give than to received.

My Refection

Helping and making other people happy is the best feeling you could ever feel. Through my short time, I really feel the beautiful essence of life.The simplest and the most valuable thing you can give to a child is time I believed. Putting other people's needs before you also strengthen yourself. But serving doesn’t just make your heart feel good. Studies have shown that there are mental and physical health benefits to serving, like reducing depression, lowering blood pressure and lengthening your lifespans according to health.com and this is the most important things , right?

It's nice to think that you make other people happy and inspired, it is also good to be reminded to be grateful all the time that we are lucky enough in life.

Thank you and let's us all remember the essence of Bayanihan❤️