One FEU towards Nation – Building at Hospicio de San Jose The incipiency of the One FEU towards Nation-Building Creating a World without Boundaries project was finally fulfilled last August 17. A genesis of a new advocacy program of FEU collaborated by 7 different organization riding with one banner “Volunteerism”. It was a Sunday, a day for most students to have their leisure and catnapping time. But for 40 other FEU students, it was a day that definitely changed the course of their daily Sunday routine. A day to spend time with the children of Hospicio de San Jose. Student - volunteers came in a number of groups at the University Conference Center to have their feast of sumptuous lunch. With the atmosphere clearing up the excitement, all was ecstatic about what’s going to happen in this heart-moving event. At exactly 1:30 pm, the volunteers geared with their clear mind and open heart took off to their destination. As the student- volunteers arrived in Hospicio together with some of the international students of our university, one can’t deny the heartwarming fact that somehow a certain brotherhood was easily instituted for one goal, hence proving the theme: “Creating a World without Boundaries.” The event started off with a tour headed by Mr. Ferdie Veluz, the head of the institution. He walked the group showcasing the different facilities of the place, living us at awe. In every halls of Hospicio, there were nursery rooms home to abandoned babies, some undergoing certain conditions like cerebral palsy. A question arise in each minds asking “How someone so little underwent through so much adversity already at the first pace of their life?” Left behind by their own family, the Hospicio became their refuge of survival. As the tour continued, Mr, Veluz quoted that Hospicio is a “Womb to Tomb Place” where in all varieties of age groups have taken refuge to the place to seek care and guidance through-out their life. Along the journey, the student - volunteers visited the young and the old, shouting off a discrete feeling of the help needed in the place, Mr. Veluz said that the place is in need of support and volunteers are very much appreciated for the lack of teachers in the place. He added that the place were funded by NGO’s (Non-Government Organizations) but now is at a current halt due to the poverty and dilemma the country is fighting through. The student - volunteers had the opportunity to mingle with the abandoned kids usually aged three to five in their nursery home. As the volunteers connected heartstrings to the kids, you can see a certain vibe of happiness not only in the child but in the volunteers themselves as well. With their eyes overflowing with excitement, concern and happiness, the moment was one fulfilling picture. After that the pilgrimage ended. A program prepared by the FEU volunteers took place for the children of Hospicio with special needs. The program started with a prayer to thank God for the opportunity to help. Next in line was a speech from Mr. Nathan Sison, FEUCSO president the pioneer of the said event. He acknowledged Mr, Veluz for giving FEU students the opportunity to spend time, even at least for a day to make some of the FEU students realize the importance of volunteerism and the very essence of why such thing has been conducted. After the acknowledgement speech, Ms. Stephanie Gana, Institute of Education Student Council President, took the mike and continued with the program. Being a Sp.Ed Major, it is Ms, Gana’s forte to accommodate the community. With all the volunteers paired with a person with disability, a sudden moment of equilibrium took in motion. Where all social standards are neglected, ignored for a moment, like all is equal. An Icebreaker followed, that is headed by IE FEUCSO representative, Jezreel Ortiz. Mr. Ortiz delivered a jolly and igniting dance number with the song of “Happy” giving out an outbreak of smiles and laughter to the volunteers and their buddies. After that, a gift giving ceremony was next in line. Gifts coming from the volunteers was given to the children and teens with disabilities, giving them a token of gratitude for allowing us to dwell in their own simple world. After that harmonious and heart melting moment, the food came. At that point, it was clear as day, that all the walls have fallen down. Walls such as anonymous feelings with each other from stranger to another, the essence of brotherhood and unity engulfed the shallow area. With volunteers, feeding their buddies, a feel of happiness that even the word itself cannot comprehend struck each one by one. It’s a feeling when you give a scoop of spaghetti and feed it to them, it’ll give them a smile. A smile not only with their mouth, but their eyes as well, and as you look into their beautiful set of eyes you can see your soul reflecting back at you. A fortuitous feeling that almost too overwhelming to satiate, a sense of fulfillment that creeps out in the deepest of veins. A moment of impact, a moment that defies us and who we are. Everyone got the jolt of having to touch another person’s life and giving them a moment of complete and utter amusement. And when it’s time to say goodbye, when the bell finally rang, it was time to say our parting words. With children having autism, cerebral palsy and down syndrome in the wake of our bid of farewell. It was like they exhaled it to themselves, a gesture of “thank you, Thank you for our little infinity” a sweet cliché out pouring with joy, for a moment we meant the world to them. The final words were spoken by FEU ISO president Andrea Antonio. Then photo op followed as a token for the memorable experience. “Thank you” said Mr, Veluz and the new friends we have gotten into this day. As we rode back home to FEU, all was wearing a smile, and an irreplaceable memory of today lying on top of our mind and soul. The volunteers became a refuge to another person even for just a short moment. In the end, one can say that in the first part of One FEU towards Nation – Building, the essence of volunteerism was achieved. Ms. Gana stated a striking quote in her farewell speech, Today I quote “Someone cannot help everybody, but everybody can help someone”. May this fruitful project start an expedition of more eye opening events. And may somehow unleash the real identity of what a Tamaraw is: having the spirit of volunteering for others. Article by: John Giordan Sta Maria and Nathan Sison
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:30:22 +0000
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