Reflection: CSR Service Learning Activity by: Nile Alric N.

Allado BABA2B

Let me start with this metaphor about life which popped into my mind when I climbed up a tree at my classmates family farm during the service learning activity. Life is an orchard. The experiences are the fruit-bearing trees and the fruits are the lessons you learn from these experiences. This quote may not be worthy of being quoted but it is true. Life itself is an aggregate of experiences. Inside each experience are learnings that can help us clear the fog that blurs our vision about life. The quote above best explained by my experience during our CSR service learning activity. Over the course of this activity, I have learned and realized many things that made me ponder and improve my understanding on things in life. First and foremost, preparation is not just a plan and delegate activity. We dont just sit together in a room, talk about what to do and assign whos going to do the tasks. We need to put these plans into to action as soon as possible. I pointed out this realization first because it was the one that struck me the most. Honestly, I am not good at planning. At first, Im used to doing things at the last minute. I dont care when I am going to do it as long as it was planned. I was like an avid believer of a famous Ilonggo saying: Hindi magiho kung hindi paglukpan. This whole experience made me think otherwise. I started to learn the true meaning of preparation and how it is important in making an activity successful. Second, I learned about giving more than receiving. In this world of equal opportunities, not everyone can grab onto those opportunities. We are indeed very thankful that we are blessed with more than what we need but sometimes it is not good that we keep these extra-blessing to ourselves. I have realized that God gave us more because it His way to bless others. He wanted to touch our hearts so that we could touch the lives of other people. This experience was an achievement for me because I got a chance to give back to God by sharing His blessings to others. It was also a fulfilment when I saw smiles on the childrens faces.

Lastly, I have realized that, in every experience, you learn a thing or two about friendship. A new experience means new friends or a stronger bond. In my case, its both. During the service learning I found friends in those children, especially to a little girl named Charice whom we fondly called Julia Montes. With the fun we all had with the children made me forget the stress the exam week has given me. It created some sort of a dimension where we can enjoy with our little friends as if we were of the same age. Not only did I made new friends but I also felt that my friendship with the CSR class became stronger as ever. I realized that the moment we gathered at the assembly area all in their shirts, it looked like we were going to attend a funeral. And yes, it was a funeral - a service for the death of our misunderstandings with each other signifying a more fortified friendship. A friendship close enough to call it a family. I am happy that I have known these people. I am even happier that I got to spend the last day with them after a semester full of rollercoaster rides. As a conclusion, life is made up of experiences. These experiences are moments when we learn many things. But there are special points in time when these experiences become kairotic moments. This service learning experience is one of these kairotic moments. This may not be a life defining moment but it made see life on a clearer view. I am grateful to our CSR teacher for giving us a chance to experience this kind of activity, checking up on us even when she is not around, and supporting us wholeheartedly. I am also thankful to my CSR classmates for working together as team in making the possible and successful. I will never forget this experience and I hope that we could do it together again.*