SABLAN, Benguet – Two organizations from Saint Louis University (SLU) reached out to the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) residing in the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY), Sablan, Benguet, to assist the 17 male residents in their studies and nurture their passion on November 23 and 30.
Saint Louis University-School of Engineering and Architecture Honor Society (SLU-SEAHS) and the local group of Chiro Youth Movement at Saint Louis University initiated a two-day outreach program called Project Arapaap, where they provided tutorial sessions and fun-filled moments to celebrate the National Children’s Month (NCM) in November.
On both days, SLU-SEAHS, known for their free tutorials, specifically in Mathematics, spearheaded the one-on-one tutorial sessions where each volunteer was paired with one resident to teach specific topics. Since some of the residents are currently taking blended learning and others are relying purely on their modules, the volunteers acted flexibly to help them understand their lessons based on the resident’s given modules under several subjects, including English, Filipino, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Practical Research, and Entrepreneur. In addition to the tutorial sessions, for the residents to have something to read for leisure and learning, the volunteers gathered books from Baguio City bookshops and students who generously donated several books for the residents.
Aside from academic tutoring, there is also a creative tutorial wherein the volunteers taught the residents to enhance their skills and knowledge in doing arts and playing musical instruments, such as piano, ukulele, and guitar.
On the other hand, Chiro SLU brought its unique charisma of play and led several group dynamics games and activities in which volunteers and residents willingly and actively participated. Chiro also led a fellowship where they prayed, sang, and had bible-based storytelling, in which the volunteers and residents gave life to the story spontaneously by acting it out. Furthermore, the residents also joyfully performed the songs they had learned and practiced.
Chelo Abuan, one of the Chiro SLU volunteers who experienced having an outreach program for the first time, joyfully shared that she saw the residents’ potential and willingness to be better as soon as possible. She also added that joining the outreach program was worth it because, in the end, she could do her best to help others, and she took the chance to widen her perspectives regarding service. “For that short period of time, mas nae-encourage po ako to show positivity in all ways. Before rin po kasi I experienced being at my lowest and one thing na na-realize ko po is need talaga i-reach yung hand nung mga taong naffeel yun kaya as much as possible po, I wanna help din,” Abuan said.
Meanwhile, the residents expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the volunteers as they lightheartedly welcomed and learned much from them. They even asked if the volunteers would be back next Saturday. “Naapreaciate namin kayo sa pagpunta ninyo dito kasi hindi namin nakita na natatakot kayo sa amin,” a resident shared, holding back his emotions.
The residents are all males and have different grade levels: two in Grade 10, six in Grade 11, three in Grade 12, and six in the Secondary Alternative Learning System (ALS). Some of them are ready to take the 2nd phase of the RRCY rehabilitation program, the out-on-pass, where they will transition to a home and community program.
This two-day initiative served as the first partnership of SEAHS and Chiro, paving the way for them to build a rapport with one another and towards the RRCY residents. Volunteers expect Project Arapaap again next year to inspire the residents to reach their ‘arapaap’ and make “second chances” a reality. By Joan Dalacan
