Give, and it will be given to you
"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Luke 6:38
Our Service Learning activity at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan last November 22, 2009 made me realize that there are indeed great opportunities to serve others through the graduate school. Though I regularly get myself involved in community work for the children, youth, and young adults, my TWH experience is a significant event because it was my first official community involvement with the persons with disabilities.
Opportunity to influence others
Although it has limited resources and technical skills to address the major concerns of TWH such as funding for rehabilitation (after Ondoy) and for operation (business activities), the class still contributed something worthwhile and meaningful to the people at TWH, both to the adults and children. Being there for a few hours and making the people important—as the theme “kayo ang star!” clearly expressed our aspiration for that day—is a privilege for us. To recognize them and to let them know that we care make them feel assured them that there are people who truly concerned of their welfare.
As part of the team in charge of the children, I saw a great opportunity to influence young minds. I remember the saying: I want to touch the future therefore I teach. Children are the hope of tomorrow, but we must remember that we are the hope of today. So investing my time with the little children was indeed an occasion to build the future. They may belong in a marginalized community right now, but I believe that if they will have the opportunity to be educated and to be exposed, there is a possibility that a number of these TWH children will be good leaders someday. That’s why I treasured the time that I spent with them.
Also, the opportunity to influence others means that we can rally people behind us for a good cause. We influence people to run with the vision. And we took that opportunity to share our SL to some DLSU business students, family and friends, colleagues at work, and others. As a result We were able to raise about sixty one thousand pesos (P61,000) and received donations in kind through class contribution, DLSU business students gifts, corporate sponsorships, and family and friends pledges. The class campaigns was not only to raise funds but also to increase awareness of the activities that business students can have in the graduate school especially doing community service.
Opportunity to collaborate with community partners
We cannot do it alone. We need other people to help us achieve our purpose. And in the case of our TWH SL, we tapped the Preppi School to teach the TWH children. And this is one principle we have learned in class. To use our networks with entities that are competent in their respective endeavors. Through them, we can effectively implement our programs and our activities.
Also, I was able to engage the free service of a corporate logo designer to make our SL’s backdrop design. Since this is voluntary work and for a cause, my friend agreed to do the design for free.
We need to partner with people and organizations in order to attain our goals and to have a greater impact in the society. Doing these collaborations gave me a glimpse of how I could better construct and implement a good CSR program for my company in the future.
Opportunity to build relationships
The class became cohesive because we were geared toward a common goal: to make a difference. It’s not because we are required to do SL but we want to make a positive change in the lives of others. And because we have a prevalent purpose, we have developed better relationships among ourselves.
It is when we work with people that we get to know who they really are. Through our SL activity, I was able to interact with my classmates in a deeper level. And I am grateful for the opportunity that our SL activity gave.
Opportunity to use talents and abilities.
Quoting from Madsen’s SL in Management Education, “…most [business educators] use the pedagogy to provide students with opportunities to develop their other competencies important for successful business professionals such as critical thinking, writing, speaking, analysis, teamwork, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving (Godfrey and Grasso, 2000).”
I have seen how everyone contributed in the SL using our strengths and skills. I believe that this is how we can successfully address the community needs. I was so glad to see everyone helping one another and everyone doing even the simplest task of carrying water. It was a joy to see everyone serving, to see everyone going out of his or her comfort zone to extend hand—and heart—to the community.
Opportunity to learn by experience
I am thankful that the CSR class is not limited within the four-corners of our classroom. Our learning went beyond classroom discussions and reporting. It was really a real-world learning. And because of this, we gained educational depth and understanding of our responsibilities to others.
Opportunity to thank God and to celebrate Christmas
Furthermore, our SL is a time to be thankful for what the Good Lord has given us—our gift of life, our talents, our education. We ought to be grateful that we are in the position to bless others. He also has given the great honor to serve our friends at TWH. And Christmas approaches, it reminded me of the real reason for the season: Jesus Christ—One who demonstrated the greatest love that we can experience. Having an early Christmas celebration made our SL more meaningful because we celebrated the life of Christ. I could not think of any person who exemplified service moved by compassion and love for others better than the One who laid His life down for us to live.
My whole CSR SL experience gave me a better understanding of my role as a business leader. We make use of our resources to improve the lives of our stakeholders and to influence our community. Indeed, when we give, it will come back to us in good measure-- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. In fact, we will always have something to give. That is the secret of success and significance.
May we always learn to give ourselves to others and experience the joy of touching lives. May we use our influence in our respective companies to craft CSR activities that will contribute to the transformation our country. May we never forget the important principles and valuable lessons we have learned [and we will learn] in the graduate school and may we have the courage to apply them wherever we go. May we all be inspired to build businesses to be a blessing. J
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