Originally posted at my personal blog site last January 2007, this is my account of my first volunteering experience at Saturday Academy, a Hands On Manila educational program for the boys of Pangarap Shelter.

 

Just a week ago, I had started serving as a volunteer. At long last, it was indeed a good step in fulfilling the things that I have long wanted to do. Actually, I have even thought of it as a New Year’s resolution way back a year ago, yet due to some circumstances and major career adjustments, I wasn’t able to push it through. OK, so much for the New Year’s resolutions, but anyway, after dancing “Boom Tarat” in an 80’s outfit last Christmas party and so much more, I’m glad I have it started already.

The activity was supposed to be a study tutorial for kids and young adults who are residents of the foundation’s shelter. However, I was informed by the head volunteer that instead of the usual session, they will be conducting that day a jobhunting workshop for the kids who are going to have their OJT’s. And so I went, excited and quite nervous since I was a bit late (call time was 2pm and I was still on the road looking for the place at the said time). How are the kids going to be like? Are they like my former students? Or older? Or younger? Will I meet a lot of newbie volunteers like me? Questions like that roam inside my head while I was looking for the place along Taft Ave. Good thing I have found the shelter easily. As I went in, I was calmed by the warm welcome of Kuya Ed who was one of the residents’ guardians, as well as some of the kids who were playing along the grounds. “Kuya, sino sya?” One of the kids asked. As Kuya Ed introduced me to them, I saw smiles on their faces, not the mischievous ones, thank God, and I somehow felt relieved.

I climbed to the workshop hall and met the other volunteers. There were just three of them, me being the only new one. And so the workshop started. I haven’t done much during the session ‘coz the facilitator, Ms. Zarina, have been such an expert in that field that she was able to handle the whole discussion alone. I had just spent most of the time listening to the lectures, talking and munching (Thanks, Ms. Bel!) with the other volunteers.

What I’ve considered as the best part of that day was the mock interviews. After the lectures, we are being asked by Ms. Zarina to interview the kids so that they practice what they learned during the discussions. And so I assume being the role of an HR interviewer, asking questions like “What are your strengths & weaknesses?”, “Would you like to be assigned in places as far as Tawi-Tawi?”, and others. And I got some answers that were quite unexpected. Well anyway, at that time I just felt what my former interviewers have felt when I was on the hotseat during those jobhunting days.

So the day ended, meeting new people and getting new experiences. Right now, I’m looking forward to another day there. Or perhaps, try other activities that they offer for people like me. I’m just excited to give something back to others.