By Adrian Joseph C. Sy and Kim De Vera
"Kung lahat ng Pilipino ay tulad mo, aangat ba ang Pilipinas?"
This was the question posed by Gawad Kalinga Executive Assistant Jonathan Sulit to iTamaraws at the opening ceremony of Volunteerism Week 2018 at the Student Plaza.
This event aims to strengthen the involvement of the FEU Tech community in different volunteer activities in order help our brothers and sisters in need.
Various non-government organizations are given the opportunity to introduce themselves and provide options for students who want to volunteer his/her time:
Project PEARLS spreads the gospel on peace, education, aspiration, respect, love, and smiles; Gems Heart Outreach Development Incorporated, meanwhile, empowers children, families, and communities by enhancing their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values on leadership, management potentials, and capabilities; National Youth Volunteers Coalition promotes youth volunteerism; Virlanie Foundation Inc. defends and promotes children's rights; Gawad Kalinga, focuses on nation-building and poverty alleviation movement; and Manila Red Cross Youth gives humanitarian assistance for the most vulnerable and facilitates a bloodletting drive.
NSTP instructor Jeffrey Santos said that being a volunteer is not easy as “it takes a great deal of determination to sacrifice your activities that you deem important just to be of service to others without asking for anything in return.”
Citing "bayanihan"' National Youth Volunteers Coalition National President Edward Era concluded that volunteerism is a big part of Filipino values.
"When one has experienced being in need, he can easily empathize with those who have nothing and serve as a motivation to help others."