Journal # 2: Service Learning Proposal

June 9, 2012

            Our service learning proposal is due on June 13, 2012 and my groupmates have suggested the following:

• 1.    Invite all the contractual employees of De La Salle University, who lost their jobs due to their end of contract and those who are currently working, and provide a seminar or workshop for all of them care of HAPINOY (http://www.hapinoy.com).  This can serve as a lesson for them on how to alleviate poverty and providing them a venue for personal growth and business training at the same time.
• 2.    Have a tie up with World Vision by providing them a booth inside De La Salle University and allow them to introduce their program, “Sponsor a Child”
• 3.    Help out in St. La Salle Pre-school since this institution makes a difference on the lives of the kids living around De La Salle University by providing them quality education.  
• 4.    Make an awareness program on the fertilizer products that Starbucks give out in their branches, while devicing a plan to recycle their plastic frappe cups.
• 5.    Conduct a fun run in association with a bigger organization.
• 6.    Be an ate/kuya to an orphan (Brother Sun Sister Moon outreach program).  This is an interaction with the kids through EconOrg.
• 7.    Conduct a socio-civic activity at Reception and Action Center, wherein we can hold tutorial sessions and interactive activities for the children living in that institution. 

Out of all the different suggestion, we decided to go with my activity, which is to conduct an socio-civic activity at Reception and Action Center (RAC).  Last year, my organization, the Business Management Society, held an activity at the same institution and I was the project head for this.  With that, I pretty much know the procedures in holding activities for this institution and at the same time, I have the contact person for RAC, which will make it easier for us to coordinate with them.

The vision of RAC is: “The center is a temporary shelter and clearinghouse that caters and recognizes the needs, rights, dignity and potential of the less fortunate and displaced children, youth, adults, elderly and families responding to the Buhayin ang Maynila Program.”  Seeing people with no shelter truly breaks my heart.  It saddens me because I feel like our government is not entirely helping our countrymen to improve their lives and alleviate poverty.  Thus, I became attached to this institution since they serve the neglected individuals around Manila.  Unfortunately, the people living in RAC do not have proper hygiene and grooming, and so they need our help in enhancing their home life services. 

I believe that this service-learning project is a stepping-stone for me in helping our society.  I have been interested in the topic of philanthropy I tend to think of ways on how to be able to contribute in enhancing the quality of life of other people, especially other Filipinos.  Even as a student, I know that I can be of service towards others.  I just need to look for the perfect organization that will cater to this.