“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.
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