OISCA
SCHOOL FOR GLOBAL COOPERATION STUDENTS
Last September 19, 2007, five
students from OISCA School for Global Cooperation based in Hamamatsu
City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan arrived in Manila accompanied by
their teacher to start their 6-months Tropical Agriculture training at
OISCA Mindanao Ecotech Training Center in Brgy. Bacuyong, Pinan,
Zamboanga del Norte.
This exposure to tropical
agriculture is a pre-requisite for graduation in the two-year course
offered to young Japanese youths. The school acts as a screening body
for future OISCA Volunteers willing to be assigned in the Asia Pacific
countries where OISCA has projects. In the1990’s, would be
volunteers are screened from applicants and then sent directly to
OISCA Mindanao Training Center as trainee volunteers. The lack of
sufficient time to orient and listen to the experiences of veteran
volunteers lead to low percentage of trainee volunteers becoming full
pledged OISCA Volunteers.
This program of OISCA started in
2000 and since then, graduates from this course proceed to become
Volunteers in some Asian countries where OISCA is present. The
extensive orientation and pre planned activities gives the students a
clear direction. Prior to their arrival, each one has his/her own
specific project. One example is a 3-month stay at a farmer’s house
to experience the day-to-day activities of a rural farmer and his
family. Of course, the student pays for his board and lodging
according to the average daily expenses of that farmer. Another is to
experience reforestation activities (both trees and mangroves),
receive primers about tropical trees and handicrafts derived from
forests from Resource Person that may be suitable to neighboring
countries. Still another may study and observe sanitation, hygiene and
lifestyle of women in rural areas for possible improvement and or for
future reference purposes.
The present deteriorating
environmental conditions are encouraging many young Japanese to
volunteer or at least briefly contribute to undo these man-made
destruction.
4
October
2007
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A
TIMELY ASSIST FOR ASIST
By
Efren Antiporda
The Abra State Institute of
Science and Technology (ASIST) recently joined with other state
universities in the country in venturing into the cyber space.
Thanks to the assistance of Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOV) Mr.
Dongho Kang. He has
placed ASIST in the know about information technology and broke the
barriers that isolated the campus for so long – the impregnable
mountains of the north and the lack of facilities for understanding
about information technology among ASIST faculty and students.
Dong Ho came to ASIST in September
2005. He is an
Information Communication Engineer from Chosun University.
Leaving a three-year lucrative career in the Nikkan Information
Systems Co. as a programmer, he chose to be assigned in the
Philippines.
With limited facilities he tried to
make use of the available resources ASIST could offer him in building
up its information system. He
formed the IT Team from selected five instructors and took up the
gradual transformation of its IT environment.
The team was trained in
computer hardware maintenance and repair during the first few months
to enhance their skills in handling troubleshooting jobs in the events
of bog downs and virus attacks. Dong
Ho then embarked in the development of ASIST’s website.
He provided the skills while the rest of the team provided the
content. After three
months, the website is ready and needed a vehicle to be connected to
the cyber space. Land-based connection is not appropriate due to mountain
barriers and Dong Ho was left with the option of using the satellite
as its connection to overcome this geographical limitations.
After scouting for the best offer
from various service provider, a Makati –based provider Easycom got
the deal for 17,000 monthly rental for its satellite – based
computer services. The
website was launched last December 2006 and I was its 800th
visitor so far.
Dong Ho is now eyeing the full
computerization of the school’s Management Information System
covering data on students profile, registration, enrollment, payroll
among others. On
top of this agenda is the retooling of ASIST’s IT instructors in
website development, visual basic programming, JAVA programming and
the use of Linux Operating System.
Before his tour of duty ends in
July 2008, Dong Ho envisions a fully installed information system
backed up by fully trained staff to sustain its operation.
His efforts has propelled ASIST into the cyber space and
brought prospects of a bigger and wider opportunities for its students
and faculty in catching up the world wide web.
7
September
2007
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The
Short-term Volunteer Program with JICA and Obihiro University
By Jose Arceo N. Bautista, DVM,
Ph.D.
, Project Manager
JOCV/JICA-DTRI-NDA-PNVSCA Dairy Development Enhancement Program
What was started as an
attempt to enhance the recruitment of young volunteers to the Japan
Overseas Cooperation Volunteer Corps (JOCV) has now evolved into a
regular program for dairy development in South Luzon. The Short-term
Volunteer Program (SVP) was conceptualized in 2005 with initial
arrangements between Obihiro JICA and the Obihiro University in Japan.
The target was to provide initial exposure to prospective applicants
to motivate their entry into the JOCV corps after finishing their
baccalaureate degrees. The Philippine partner identified that will
provide exposure to volunteer life was the JOCV/JICA-DTRI-NDA-PNVSCA
Dairy Development Enhancement Program based at the University of the
Philippines Los Bańos. In August of 2005, ten (10) young students
from Obihiro University arrived with their professor, Dr. Shinzo
Miyoshi, for a 3-week immersion in volunteer activities in the project
areas of South Luzon. Perhaps the experience was something worthwhile
and new to the Japanese students that a second batch was hastily
arranged for March 2006. Four (4) students under the SVP arrived for
another 3-week stay in Laguna and Batangas. After the second batch,
discussions were made among the proponents for the extension of the
program to six (6) weeks. Thus in August 2006, six (6) young
volunteers from Obihiro University arrived for the extended SVP. The
fourth (4th) batch will soon be coming in Aug 2007, with
six (6) young volunteers.
Basically what is the SVP offering?
Junior and senior students
of Obihiro University Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences
are assigned to the project areas under the supervision of the
Technical Teams of the JOCV/JICA-DTRI-NDA-PNVSCA Dairy Development
Enhancement Program. At their arrival, the students receive initial
briefing from the PNVSCA, understandably on volunteer activities in
the Philippines; the NDA, for a briefing on the status of the dairy
industry, and the Project for the introduction of the activities in
the areas of assignment. Te
chnical briefing is then
given to the young volunteers matching their field of study with the
expertise of regular volunteers and Filipino counterparts. Aside from
the workload that is based on the Project activities in Milk Hygiene
and Mastitis Control, Breeding and Reproduction, Animal Nutrition and
Pasture Development, the young volunteers are also immersed in the
Filipino customs and traditions by way of home-stays. Most of the
time, the young volunteers adopt quickly and perform their workloads
well considering the short period of stay. A mid-term and final
presentation of activities is conducted by the Project staff where
most of the accomplishments of the young volunteers are critiqued. The
young volunteers oftentimes bring new ideas and positive
recommendations for the improvement of the Project activities and
dairy practices in general. An added benefit of the SVP comes by way
of free lectures on relevant topics given by accompanying members of
the Faculty in special seminars organized during the period of
deployment. Special lectures on animal breeding, animal reproduction
and nutrition have been delivered in August 2006 and will be repeated
soon for the fourth batch from Aug. 15 to Sept. 21, 2007.
It is the hope of the Project, in
consonance with the objectives of JICA and Obihiro University that the
JOCV corps will be staffed by these young volunteers in the near
future.
22
August 2007
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Information Technology have
drastically changed the way people live in the 21st
century. It has permeated
almost every aspect of our daily activities.
But in a developing country like the Philippines, there is
still a wide digital divide that prevents schools in remote areas to
take advantage of its potentials to improve the educational system.
This is the urgent task ahead facing Alfred Baldwin, a computer
whiz from the United States Peace Corps (USPC).
Alfred Baldwin works with
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Program of the Maulawin
National High School in Pagsanjan, Laguna.
The program is part of the Department of Education’s
continuing efforts to provide universal access to quality education, a
priority concern of the government’s ten point development agenda.
The program aims to improve teaching methodologies and
presentations using digital and computer applications.
Alfred started working at Maulawin
in June 2006. He spent
the first few weeks integrating himself with the educational system
and work environment.
He took off by starting with the
very basic - Computer Maintenance. He conducted a one day workshop for
seven teachers on Computer Trouble Shooting.
The course equipped the teachers with fundamental know-how on
maintaining their computer in cases of bog downs and virus attacks and
simple hardware fixing know how.
The course is in fact just a preparation for a bigger plans he
has.
Alfred took advantage of the popularity of the VCD players in
the area and used it as a learning aid for teachers.
He developed an animated powerpoint presentation and creatively
converted it into a VCD format making it user-friendly and requiring
only a TV and a VCD player to operate in the absence of a computer.
It is good for teaching science and other subjects needing
visual stimulation such as physics.
He has already demonstrated some prototypes which prove to be
very attractive to teachers. Teachers
are excited over the prospect of keeping their lessons in CDs.
Alfred then turned his attention to
students’ needs for resource and reference materials.
Using a software for library management called “Green
Stone”, he developed the Virtual Library Project which connected the
school’s 22 computers into a working network. All reference materials on computer subjects and English are
made accessible through the library.
Indeed Alfred unraveled the secrets
of computers to the teachers and students of Maulawin National High
School. They gained new
appreciation of its potential and has now become a daily part of their
campus activities. Alfred
has dispelled their hesitations and doubts toward slowly closing the
digital divide.
16
August 2007
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FARMERS
NEWFOUND FRIEND
By
Efren A. Antiporda
Livestock
farmers of Laguna have every reason to be happy. They have found
a new friend and ally to help them in their daily livestock worries
and woes. He seems like an ordinary new kid in the block if not
for his accented tagalog which he is still trying to master since he
came to the town of Sta. Cruz, Laguna last year. An animal
scientist by profession with a generous volunteer heart in person.
He came to the Philippines with a mission to share and respect under
the banner of the Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOV).
Mr.
Jeong Seokhan is assigned at the Provincial Government of Laguna.
He is assisting the Provincial Government’s Animal Production and
Health Program. The program aims to improve animal production
through natural and artificial breeding and safeguard animals against
diseases.
His
work covers activities such as vaccination campaign, training of
farmers, animal disease monitoring and treatment and de-worming and
Artificial Insemination.
One
of Jeong’s important accomplishments is the design and conduct of
training on basic management of piggery for local backyard raisers
which he and his team used to train some 20 swine raisers in the town
of Lumban and Sta. Rosa. The training is in support to the
Province Swine dispersal program.
Jeong
also assisted in the control and prevention of Bird Flu virus in the
province. He conducted avian surveillance and collected blood
samples from around two hundred (200) birds and other poultry animals.
The samples were then tested at the Lipa City Regional Animal
disease Diagnostic Laboratory. So far, the result indicated no
presence of the dreaded virus.
“Jeong
is a big help to the program,” according to Dr. Michael Cortez of
the Provincial Veterinary Office. He added that the volunteer is
very supportive and works actively with the Extension Services team.
Jeong
similarly, has expressed satisfaction over his assignment. He
likes his work and the camaraderie among the staff. A farmers’
friend, he enjoys the friendship of all the farmers out there in the
fields.
30
July 2007
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A
Teacher’s Teacher
By Efren
Antiporda
The
deterioration of English proficiency among Filipinos has become a
serious concern for the government. The Department of Education (DepEd)
fully cognizant of the growing malaise is taking up measures to
improve the system. Drawing
lessons from pre-war pedagogy up to the latest research in curriculum
design, schools have beef up their English teaching strategies to
improve the students proficiency in English.
One of these schools is the District of Victoria in
Laguna.
The District of Victoria is
currently implementing a Reading Program which aims to arrest the
declining English proficiency of both the teachers and students in its
nine (9) district elementary and four (4) high schools.
The district has a total of 89 teachers at present.
USPC volunteer Keith Solle is
assisting the Division’s Reading Program by providing capacity
building for the teachers including developing teaching aids and
reading materials.
Keith started his assignment in the
Philippines in June 2006. His
first month was devoted to school visitations and orientations in the
different schools in the district.
The experience is reminiscent of his earlier works when he was
in Thailand as an English teacher.
The mountain sceneries and the swaying coconuts does not differ
much. The cheerful faces
meeting him everyday reminded him of his students and colleagues.
He feels so at home. The
only difference this time is he is a volunteer with very modest
survival allowance.
Keith adapted the teaching methods
which he developed when he was in Thailand. The module entitled
“Improving Pupils Reading, Listening and Overall Reading
Comprehension” serves as the basis of all his trainings.
Among the trainings he organized were a four-day Teachers
Training on Improving Skills in Reading and Writing and a training
session on Advance Conversational English. Eighty-seven (87) teachers
all in all were trained by Keith during his first year in the
district.
The methods he used are
participatory enabling active engagement of teachers and the students.
One particular method is the oral exercise in English where the
student will start off with a sentence and somebody will pick up a
word from what he said and start his own when his turn comes until
every student was able to say his or her piece. Another method is reading comprehension.
Students discuss among themselves the content of the reading
materials to practice their verbal and reading comprehension with the
teacher acting as a facilitator.
Lessons are focused on basic grammar, pronunciation and drills
in oral reading, story telling and tests.
With this method, students became more involved in classroom
activities. Around
80% of the teachers in the Division are now applying the methods
learned during training. The
teachers said that Keith’s training really helped them.
It has not been an easy task for Keith.
Volunteering in a developing country is totally different from
doing a professional paid job. When he accepted his assignment in the
Philippines, Keith knows the challenges and the conditions he will
face. He can sense some
mute resistance specially from among senior teachers who have been
used to the old techniques but he is ready for the surprises and his
secret is in knowing only the right person who can help you.
Keith now feels a sense of
fulfillment knowing that his efforts are gaining grounds and that
somehow, the teachers have acknowledged his modest contributions. A teacher at heart, Keith has never felt so proud to be a
teacher’s teacher in his own humble way.
24
July 2007
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Teaching
the Hows and Whys of Numbers
By
Efren Antiporda
Filipino
students have preference for audio and visual stimulation in the
classroom. Memory works tend to focus on the remembering aspect
rather than the analysis and understanding of the subject. They
don’t ask why. This is particularly true when it comes to
studying mathematics. Math would be a lot easier if it can be
explained by the “why” aspect of the equation.
This
is the fundamental philosophy that guides Ms. Masae Iijima, a JOCV
volunteer working in the Department of Education City Division Office
in Balanga. Bataan. She led her students to ask the fundamental
question “Why” to stimulate their interest and love for numerics.
Since
she arrived in the Philippines in August 2006, she devoted her time to
observation in formal and non-formal classes from August to October.
With the support of the three (3) mobile teachers, she started
teaching mathematics in the Alternative Learning System since October.
She
noted in the review classes that “the basic topics of mathematics
were hardly understood, “which meant that” the review class became
more like “lessons”.
Because
of this, she adjusted her lessons to focus on understanding the basics
because she believes that to achieve successful and sustainable
understanding, the emphasis should be placed on the understanding of
theories and formulas and how they can be elicited from simple facts.
Her
lessons center on fractions, decimal numbers and percentages.
Because of this method, it was observed that the students found
mathematics simple and manageable.
Iijima
has developed a battery of math modules, reviewers, flash cards,
training sheets and math exercises that covers topics on National
Elementary Achievement Test, Process to Solution, Reviewer for
National Secondary Assessment Test, Calculation, Decimal Numbers,
Ratios, Percent and Fractions. There are around 37 training
materials she developed between the period October 2006 to February
2007 all in computer presentations.
Aside
from the ALS Program, Ms. Iijima has included special groups in the
community that needs informal education such as conducting review
classes for GROs and high school students and elementary students in
Balanga. For 10 months she taught reviewer math to 12 GROs in
Balanga City as part of her project. She devoted 3 hours weekly for
them. She also has conducted review classess two months before
final exams to around 240 high school and elementary students.
Aside
from the Alternative Learning System, the Balanga City Division runs
other programs. These include Basic Literacy Program, Functional
Literacy Program, Continuing Education Program, Philippine Exam
Placement Test.
Ms. Iijima’s also assist the regular and mobile teachers in
Balanga City working in these programs.
According
to Ms. Alicia Rueda, her counterpart, Ms Iijima is grooming a certain
out-of-school-youth named “Kay” to be her assistant in editing the
planned Balanga local daily which will be published as part of the
livelihood component of the program.
The daily will be for sale to generate funds for the ALS needs.
The
City Division is grateful for all the support of Ms. Iijima.
She is well loved in and out of the school because of her
friendly demeanor.
She is a hardworking volunteer who shows genuine concern for
her counterpart workers, the out-of-school-youths and the students
alike.
To them, Math lessons has never been the same.
16
July 2007
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A
Jewel in the Campus
By
Efren Antiporda
KOV volunteer Gi Seok Kwon reminded
me of “Jang Geum” the legendary Korean food wizard during the
Joseon Dynasty serialized in the popular Korean Telenovela “Jewel in
the Palace”. Gi-Seok is
assigned at the Bataan Polytechnic State College (BPSC).
He started way back July 2006 to continue the project formerly
assisted by his KOV colleague In Ae Cheong.
Gi-Seok or David as he is fondly addressed in the campus is a
food scientist. He holds
a Master’s Degree in Food Science and Technology from the
prestigious Seoul National University.
He is, strictly speaking a
“technical” person who looks more at the chemistry side of
food preparation in addition to its gastronomic appeal.
David’s works at the BPSC
includes the development of food processing products, research, food
chemical analysis and the improvement /expansion and maintenance of
the Mini Food Processing Center.
At present, he is handling demonstration teaching to second
year college students in the area of nutrition, food preservation and
meat processing. He is assisted by Ms. Bernadette Gabor for nutrition and Ms.
Rosemarie Ongoco for food processing.
The mini food laboratory of the
BPSC lacks the essential equipment to fully function as a center for
food processing. David
initially assessed the requirements of the center and made a cost
analysis and canvass of available equipment in the local market.
The center needs pressure canner and vacuum sealer and
shelf-life testing facilities. These equipment are critical to the
operations of the food processing center which at present has
capability to process several food items such as talisay nut brittle,
pomelo pith jam, tocino, sardines and pastries.
David submitted a proposal for the grant of said equipments to
KOICA.
While waiting for the acquisition
of said equipment, David is considering other plans to devote his time
efficiently. In addition
to his regular teaching demonstration, he is considering reviewing the
BS Food Technology Curriculum in time for the next school year. His
inputs to the curriculum design is essential for the BPSC’s
implementation of its new school curriculum on food technology.
Another area of concern for
David is the translation to English of Korean books on food processing
to serve as manual for his local counterparts.
David is also contemplating on the
production of “Philippine kimchi” using local vegetable
counterpart. Another
novelty is the introduction of meat processing to produce sausage and
bacon, something that BPSC has yet to try in its kitchen arsenal.
According to BPSC President Dr.
Delfin Magpantay, David is very active in campus activities. He
is outgoing and relates well with the BPSC students and staff.
He finds no difficulty in working with the volunteer. David
enjoys his work at BPSC and really find expression of his creativity
in the art of food preparation.
25
June 2007
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The
Regional Youth Rehabilitation Center (RYRC) of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development in Barangay Ayala in Magalang, Pampanga
is one of DSWD’s facilities for juvenile offenders.
It is a regional drop-in center for rehabilitating and correcting
young people who have gone astray without the cold bars and solid
walls of the penal system designed for adult offenders.
It was here that I found myself
visiting not a juvenile
offender, but a United States Peace Corps volunteer, Mr. Joshua
Corbett. I saw him early
on my way to the Center. He
was riding his bike, his daily means of transport in reporting to the
RYRC. The Center is about 20 minutes by bike from the town proper
of Magalang.
I found Joshua and his counterpart,
Mr. Robert Gatmaitan, upon entering the compound of the Center.
They were expecting my arrival.
My first impression about Joshua is
that he is the type of guy you would not expect to stay long in an
isolated and very quiet place where silence is occasionally broken by
the birds and murmuring wind so to speak.
He is young and adventurous. But I was impressed to hear that
he loves the place and learned to adjust to it.
He was joking when he remarked in crude tagalog “Ganyan
talaga ang buhay”, which
I thought to be a lighter
way of saying that his assignment as a volunteer
wherever it is, is something he has committed himself to.
Joshua is around two month shorts of closing his two-year
volunteer stint in RYRC. He
is completing his assignment this June.
There are 52 residents in the
Center. Two years ago,
there were around 80 residents but there is a drastic drop in
admission since last year with the signing of Republic Act 9344 or the
“Juvenile Justice Welfare Act”. The law moved for the
“diversion” of 15 years old and below offenders to other
corrective facilities.
Joshua’s work involves training
the 20 staff of RYRC in the following areas:
·
Behaviour Modification Training - a two to three day session
that reorient residents about their values and attitudes in life.
·
Stress Management Training- a full day course that provides a
fundamental approach to cope with various stressors.
·
Anger Management Training
·
Counseling Techniques for the staff and Houseparents
·
Group Therapy
·
Sexual Offender Training that delves on the theories about
sex offenses; reasons behind sexual offenses; strategies for dealing
with sex offenders; sexual offender’s mental cycle; rationalization
of sexual offenders etc.
It
was not easy for Joshua to organize these trainings. The staff
are busy most of the time due to case studies and progress reports
that they are preparing for every resident. This is aggravated by the
demand for their physical presence during court hearings.
In
the pipeline is his work on the development of Modules for Life’s
Skills which he hopes to complete within two weeks. It was based
on a book and involves about essential life skills such as decision
making, assertiveness, values, peer pressure, sexuality, etc.
Reminiscing
his two-year stint, he figured that the value he added to the Center
is the intensive psycho-social interventions that he introduced to the
staff. The application of these new skills to the residents
altered the environment in the Center. Residents demonstrate a more
outgoing behavior now coming out from their previous clamshell
existence in their own cells.
Joshua
learned a lot from the experience. He admitted that his
leadership was honed and his ability to relate with people progressed
significantly. He is happy to have made an impact on the lives
of the residents through providing them with essential life skills to
enable them gain new perspectives and cope with challenges in their
lives.
4
June 2007
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The road going to The Haven is a not-so havenly idea. One has to
negotiate the long and dusty road via the only means of public
transportation – the tricycle to reach an isolated fenced building
within the compound of the vast Pampanga Agricultural College, at the
base of Mt. Arayat in Magalang, Pampanga. 
The
place is home to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Regional Center for Women and Children who
have suffered injustices and abused such as battering, forced
prostitution, sexual abuse, armed conflict, illegal recruitment and
other forms of deprivation. The center provides care, protection
and rehabilitation to these women and children numbering around
seventy at the time of my visit.
As
I craned my neck through the half–opened steel gate of the Haven, a
young American wearing a wide grin greeted me with enthusiasm.
She is Carrie Spilecki, a US Peace Corps volunteer. She is
expecting my arrival. She led me into a small room barely
furnished except for the noticeable mural of the world map partly
finished. She is accompanied by her Project Manager Ms.
Priscilla Tiopengco. I was offered suman and soft drink before
going down to official matters.
Carrie
has been working with Haven since June 2006. She is a
psychologist specializing in behavior modification. The place
seems to fit her person who enjoys solitude as she appreciates the
quiet and scenic view around the area. She always has her
mountain bike handy in going back to the town where she resides.
Carrie
works under the Youth Development and Livelihood Program. Since her
integration in the program, Carrie has been an efficient member of the
DSWD staff consisting of three Social Workers and five Houseparents.
She is assisting in the areas of counseling, crisis management,
leadership building, livelihood skills development and resource
generation.
Focusing
on staff capability building and organizational strengthening of the
center, Carrie conducted the following training for the staff:
·
Stress
Management. This is a two-hour module to enable the social
workers and houseparents understand how to cope and manage with
stress. This session is then echoed by the staff to all the
residents of the center.
·
Behavior
Modification. This is half ay module for the eight staff
members who later trained 30 residents.
·
Group
Therapy. She developed the module and the staff conducted
the therapy to around 30 residents of the center. The therapy
enabled the residents to express their fears and trauma and face the
realities of their conditions to enable them to figure out how to
resolve their crisis and alter their attitudes in life.
·
Life
Skills. This is a ready-made module consisting of 11
chapters about essential aspects of living such as communication,
values, sexuality, self-esteem, relationships, setting goals etc.
It is conducted on a daily basis for one (1) to two (2) hours to a
group of 8-10 residents.
·
Art
Therapy. Twelve (12) residents have been treated with this
method so far. The concept uses art to enable the residents to
express their fears, their likes and dislikes and their deepest
feelings which they cannot verbalize. The method enables the
residents to confront their subconscious self and thereby understand
themselves in the process.
Carrie
also occupies herself with sourcing funds for the Haven. She is
currently working on the following:
- grant-proposal
writing and submission to either United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) or PCPP funded grant to hold a
girls’ Leadership Camp Workshop in June to be held in
Nueva Ecija Home for the Girls. The camp will include ten
(10) residents from Haven Pampanga,
She
felt hampered by language but her counterparts were able to interface
for her. She figured that her intervention has open the once
private world of the individual residents. Once it was hard to
crack the impenetrable silence of the victims. Their constant
state of denial and fear has been changed by the various therapies
which helped in the residents’ rehabilitation and transformation.
The
volunteering experience has touched Carrie dramatically. She
felt she could not do enough for the residents. She gained a new
appreciation of herself which she has taken for granted for so long
i.e. how fortunate she is for enjoying so much of the good things she
is blessed with. She sensed feelings of guilt knowing that there are
people marginalized by poverty and unfortunate circumstances.
This realization fueled her desire to help the residents as best as
she can.
I
left the place with a heavy heart in knowing and feeling the pains and
loneliness suffered by the people I met for a very brief moment.
But I was carrying the hope that Carrie planted in their hearts.
The hope that things will never be the same for this people touched by
the generosity of Carrie.
24
May 2007
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