CSR: Individual SL Journal No. 2 (submitted Nov. 10)

Not Forgotten

“But the needy will not always be forgotten…” Psalm 9:18

When the CSR class decided that the Service Learning (SL) would be at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH), I realize that it will be my first community service for the people with disabilities (PWDs). Although I have had several encounters with differently-abled in the past and visited some communities with active PWDs as a guest, our service learning at TWH is a hands-on experience for me.

During my active involvement in conceptualizing and planning for our SL activity, I realize that for more than three decades, people here and abroad are supporting TWH commitment to the paraplegics. Our disabled kababayan may seem to suffer from physical paralyses—physically challenged—but they are loaded with gifts and special abilities that make them extraordinary. I saw a video of TWH residents compete in ballroom dancing. It was astonishing. I can’t even dance—how much more in a wheelchair! Last Sunday, I saw their talents in woodcrafts, metal works, and paintings. They were amazing! One can never tell if people with missing legs or arms made them! I even stumbled upon an episode in Korina Sanchez’s show featuring TWH. This means that people are interested in the treasures at TWH.

However, I recognized that TWH needs packaging—not their products but organization itself. Yes, some organizations are also helping them when it comes to facilities, advocacy, business opportunities, and funding; nevertheless, the need to repackage TWH is necessary.

I think Tourism must come in. Trade and Industry should extend extra help. If TWH can be packaged as an interesting tourist destination in Metro Manila with a nice showroom of its products then it could be included as part of the must-see places for local and international tourists. Vietnam did it with their Agent Orange victims; it created a special industry for them by promoting handicrafts made by handicaps.

For our SL, we desire to help TWH with its products designs by linking them with Philippine Design Center. Through this network, the design experts can assists TWH by orienting them with the trendy and marketable designs as well as how to package its products.

As I get more involved in the project, I become more aware of the PWDs situation, but what also moved me is the need of the children (both handicaps and children of PWDs) to be valued and to be reaffirmed. So I volunteered to conceptualize an activity for the kids since I can tap my friend who owns an international preschool in Ortigas to help our class with children’s workshop and activities. I believe that children are the hope of the future; they are the hope of their parents. Children should find their place in the community especially in an environment like the TWH.

Along the way, I realize that doing CSR SL that is short term has many benefits as well as challenges. First among its benefits, the class is able to work together as team and synergize our talents and resources. Second, the class is able to apply the concepts and principles discussed and covered in the classroom. Third, the class is given exposure to communities like TWH. For the challenges, I believe that the time is really short to formulate a more sustainable plan. First, we need to come up with a plan and work around an achievable-to-raise budget. Second, we have to get more inputs from our classmates, which we are having difficulties right now. But given some of the encounters we have had, I believe that we can still do better in the coming days as we prepare for the SL activity.

Tonight, we were able to improve our plans and promote our SL to two classes where we got some support and commitments. The video that I created as part of our promotion greatly helped in giving the other students an idea about TWH and our SL.

Working on the SL for TWH is a great experience for me. I know that we will have a good and meaningful time on November 22. We just need to be reminded of our purpose and our calling: to help other people at all times. We must not forget our responsibility to others. One day, we, too, will realize that we need other people’s help.

Moreover, I think we should reaffirm their concern and love to the needy, to the PWDs. Beyond their physical and financial needs, I realize that they need social support—to let them know that they are not forgotten.

Reference:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cainta-Philippines/TAHANANG-WALANG-HAGDANAN-INC/181091870037?ref=ts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFr8Po0RLzA

CSR: Individual SL Journal No. 1 (submitted Oct.27)

More Blessed to Give

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35 (New International Version)

I enrolled in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) course almost two months ago without any expectations but to learn. Although I have a wide range of volunteer experiences since star scout days, the CSR course gave me a deeper understanding of not only the business entity’s responsibilities but also its accountabilities to the communities.

The lectures, discussions, group dynamics and reports, etc., helped me see the realities of corporate practices: first, the community involvements of some corporate giants and NGOs to improve the condition of our society mainly through education and poverty alleviation campaigns; second, the adverse effects to the stakeholders and communities due to some businesses’ lack of responsibilities; third, the role of the government and its ineffective implementation of laws and programs; last, the countless ways we can do to help the marginalized people.

One of the many questions that we face, after going half way through the entire course: What can we do to help build this nation? One of my many proposals: We can help build our nation by touching one life at a time.

I think CSR (HRM 510M) has done that for us—touching one professional/entrepreneur at a time. The CSR course continues to convey a simple message: We can make a difference. And because of this course, my desire to make a difference, even in seemingly insignificant ways, has been fueled. I have a high hope that our class will embrace our call to be catalysts of change. Hence, we are not here to simply accumulate knowledge and earn high grades but we here for the experiences that will positively impact our business decisions and dealings with the communities.

As our class plans for our SL activity on November 22, 2009, I recalled the very words of the Apostle Paul, “we must help the weak” as he counted on the message of Christ, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Paul knew the secret of blessings: GIVING. So whether it is Tahanan ng Walang Hagdan, Hannibal, GreenEarth, GK Maralit, Counselling the Ondoy victims, or CSR SL, we are called to help the weak with the encouragement that we are more blessed to give.

Our upcoming SL activity is also an opportunity to apply the La Sallian values: faith, zeal for service and communion in mission. I believe that our SL is an avenue for us to check our level of CSR learning, to authenticate our depth of concern to the society, and to make an inventory of our talents resources. Attending the classes and engaging in discussions about corporate ethical practices and social responsibilities opened my eyes to the many possibilities that a single organization can do for its shareholders, its communities, and for the country. And what we are about to do, in a smaller scale through our SL, can be a great start to do something worthwhile (and hopefully sustainable) for the greater good of the community. Furthermore, our actions must steam out of our love and compassion for others.

I believe that organizations (both government and private) such as PBSP, LCF, the Commission on Human Rights, Lamoiyan Corporaton, and Tahanan understood the stakes and benefits of carrying for the communities. I think what they further realize and recognize is the joy of being a blessing. More than the public recognitions, I think what compels these organizations to help is the transformation they see in the lives of their beneficiaries. These blessings and rewards cannot be bought by any material wealth this world offers.

Today, I am truly grateful for our privilege to bless other people. I am grateful for the gifts and talents our Creator has given us. I am thankful for resources that we can use to bring hope and joy to others. I am thankful that despite our economic difficulties, our political predicaments, our spiritual crisis, our emotional setbacks, our disasters and calamities, God is still able to mobilize a number of people in various organizations to do good for others, even to the point of not expecting something in return. I hope we, too, will join the ranks of those have given themselves for the love of people and country.

If we just keep on seeking, we will discover that there are many ways to give; If we just make ourselves available, we will surely experience the joy of giving. If we sow something good, we will definitely reap an abundant harvest; if we learn to selflessly serve our fellowmen, we will live in a nation free from greed and pride. If we teach the next generation to love God and country, we will certainly see a land rising to its glory.

When all has been said and done, I have to constantly remind myself: One is more blessed to give than to receive.

I look forward to a more interactive SL preparation. I hope to get to know my peers better, to understand their points of view, to embrace their passions, to be united in one purpose, to have a synergy of our all our resources, and to open my life to a new adventure that CSR has in store for me.