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My Social Responsibilities

By Dennis Rolan Labandia

Dennis Rolan Labandia is a freshman at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro. Here he shares his experience of serving his community through the NSTP (National Service Training Program).

In conformity with government regulations, Xavier University requires all freshmen to register for two semesters of NSTP during the regular enrollment period. This is a way of involving them in a commitment to be men and women for others.  In this sense, I feel my social responsibilities pertaining to an active social involvement in community work. This education promotes faith that is committed to the work of justice, preparing each one for an active life commitment as a person for others. It is geared to making the new generations become true catalysts of social change.

Life changing encounter

The people and schoolchildren in the community to which we were assigned welcomed us with all their hearts on our first visit. We greatly appreciated this. I feel the heartwarming experience of integrating and interacting with the adults and children who are willing to learn as we gather every Saturday for this program. This process of integrating with and empowering them is part of helping them become better persons and responsible citizens of the country. I do this by nurturing them, imparting to them what I have learned.

The hallmark of developing the community, especially the schoolchildren, towards the right path and enlightenment is heartwarming care. This care is greatly determined by the extent of our personal conduct and by our words and deeds. I see it as the manifestation of faith in and love of God and as a growing awareness of my responsibilities as a member of society and a citizen of our country. We work hand in hand with our assigned community in promoting and sharing the spirit of peace and unity.

Lessons learned

For me the experience has great value because it calls for the equal treatment of each human being and a respect for the uniqueness of each individual. It facilitates a greater understanding of our role as citizens in society leading to an appreciation of the future to be developed in the community. At the same time, the children in the community gain knowledge from us but also learn to distinguish their own ideas from those of their tutors.

This government program for all freshmen is a symbol of hope, as it plays an important role in molding the youth regarding our responsibilities as members of the community and citizens of the Philippines: the most sublime of human aspirations.

You may email the author at knights_7789@yahoo.com.ph

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