Service Learning Activity: Manila Boystown

Our first plan was originally to do a fund raising activity so that we can help replenish the supply of commonly used medicines in the orphanage, however, the proposal was rejected since we needed to have more lasting activity that would touch the lives of others. Our team decided to look for a different center that could accommodate us and we come up with an idea to teach little kids regarding good manners and taking care of the environment in Manila Boystown.

Last March 19 is the date where we implemented our plan to teach the little kids. We have around 24 kids from ages three to eight that we need to educate. Our program started by giving out name tags and introducing their selves and house rules were given as an instruction to the kids. After the introduction we have a group game as an ice breaker. We hadastrory telling session about good manners and right conduct. After lunch we had an activity wherein the kids would have to choose between a sad and happy earth after showing different activities thy would destroy and save Mother Earth. Then we even ask the kids to pick up trash around the vicinity for their final activity. 

After we finished the whole activity we bid farewell to the kids hoping that they will value the learnings from us. During the whole service activity I felt pity to the kids since you can see that they longing for care and attention as their parents abandoned them and others were victims of child abuse. The kids were a bit harsh and tends to be envious with each other's prices. I can't blame them for their behavior because that's how they cope up with the environment that they live in. 

The experienced was overwhelming but also heart breaking why their parents can abandoned their child and leave them behind. It made me question a lot of things and how come they can do that? Is there no more love and longing for their child that they can do that? Or maybe they love them too much and because of poverty they opted to leave them in the shelter. Are all those kids in the foundling homes were given their basic rights? What are other activities does the city of Manila has for those kids? I may not answer all my questions right now but I have a strong feeling that with right guidance those kids will grow up as a functional individual of the society. 

Inconvenient truth: A Tale of Global Warming

During our class we watched a documentary An Inconvienient Truth. Al Gore was educating his audience regarding the global warming and its effects to human race, he also stressed that global warming is not a political issue but a moral issue of the society. 

The movie ended by Al Gore saying, @Each one of us is a cause of global warming, but each one of us can make choices to change that with the things we buy, the electricity we use, the cars we drive; we can make choices to bring our individual carbon emissions to zero. The solutions are in our hands, we just have to have the determination to make it happen." He challenges each and everyone of us to take part and make a difference for the better.

One of the biggest contributor of Global warming is the Greenhouse gases from our daily activities. Basic example will be the carbon emission from the smoke belcher vehicles in Manila especially when they are not properly maintained. The effects of Global Warming is very evident here in the Philippines, as we suffered prolonged El Niño, intense tropical cyclones like typhoon Yolanda and intense flooding all across the country. 

We should start doing our part to preserve the environment in order for the next generation to experience the beauty of Mother Nature. Simple ways should start from our own houses, like segregating and recycling waste materials. Proper waste management should be incorporated nationwide not just the local government. Each municipality should also plant trees and preserve those parks wherein they can plant more trees and other plants that would help eliminate carbon dioxide emission. The government should tie up with different offices such as LTFRB, LTO and MMDA to strictly implement NO BELCHING Policy and those who would be caught should be fined and at least do community service.

If we keep on taking forgranted our environment, there will come a time that humans and other living species will eventually disappear one by one in the ecosystem. 

Sustainable Development: Caring for the Environment

In 1987,Sustainable Development is defined as Development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by World Commision on Environment and Development. It promotes the idea of that economic, social and environmental progress is attainable within earth's natural resources.

As a future La Sallian leader we should think of this for our business like using led lights that consumes lesser energy and also installing solar panels to convert it to electricity. If you think of it, the idea may be costly to invest but you'll reap the fruits of it in the long run like the savings you'll get. Another example of sustainable development is using sustainable construction for the buildings or houses, the materials came from renewable and recyclable materials which would be energy efficient. 

If we take care of the environment and be an advocate we will have longer business, why? Society will support is with our endeavors and will patronize us more. Taking care of Mother Nature is also like taking care of our own business, since all the raw materials and resources are from nature itself. 

There are principles for sustainable development:

1. Living within environmental limits

2. Achieving a sustainable economy

3. Promoting good governance

4. Using sound science responsibly

5. Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society 

Human Rights [Silent Initiave: Pedro's Commitment to the Hearing Impaired]

Last Febraury 25 we commemorate the Edsa revolution that happened 30 years ago. There are a lot of stories regarding human rights violation during that time, freedom of speech were curtailed and different types of harassment and physical abuses happened. Why there were no equality back then, maybe because of greed and power to be contained by one individual. 

How can we achieve equality and human rights? RESPECT ONE ANOTHER is the answer, pretty simple but very hard to attain. Aside from respect we should be open minded with the differences of one another, understanding their point of view and where they are coming from. Each of us has the responsibility to promote social justice and peace in order for us to live in harmony and to preserve human dignity. 

Today's class we are the reporting group and discussed Silent Initiave: Pedro's Commitment to the Hearing Impaired. 

Lamoiyan is the company that manufactures HapeeToothpaste in the Philippines. With prices 30% lower than the leading brands, Hapee is the 3rd toothpaste brand in the country. Moreover, this is a company where corporate social responsibility is embedded in its vision and mission statements. Tangibly, they are employing hearing-impaired individuals to work in the assembly line and foster a culture of tolerance among its employees (i.e. basic training on sign language to non-hearing impaired employees etc). While there are both upside and downside to investing in the skill set of hearing-impaired employees, a threat presented in the case is the lowered costs of competitors by outsourcing marketing, accounting and operations to third-party agencies.

 

As a group we decided for Pedro to continue his initiative and leverage the skill set of his employees specially the PWD workers. Pedro gave them the chance that they deserve and proved that they are indeed capable of given the proper training. Only few PWDs were educated since it is costly to enroll them schools that cater special children. 

It is truly heart warming to know that someone like Pedro cares for the PWDs and takes responsibility in providing livelihood for them. Making the PWDs proud of themselves and functional member of the society.