It is possible to learn while one is serving a community, while it is also probable to serve while you learn. Be that as it may, the Office of Community Engagement and Service-Learning of Silliman University hosted students from International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo, Japan; and from George Mason University (GMU), Virginia, USA for its program from June 26 to July 25 and August 9-15, respectively.
Each university sent 16 students to the service-learning program.
Students from ICU rendered service to long-time partner agencies and communities, such as the City Social Welfare and Development Office’s La Casa Esperanza and Dumaguete City Youth Home; Little Children of the Philippines Foundation Inc.; Gawad Kalinga Jamalipayon Village in Jawa, Valencia; and Barangay Boloc-Boloc, Dauin.
The following students, Blaire Bethel Borromeo, Heini Borromeo, Mel Franz Contreras, John Louie Delmo, Abigail Faith Maraat, Umirica Partosa, Urseevi Tubio Jr., and Mercidita Yanquin accompanied the ICU students as their “student buddies.”
Meanwhile, GMU students participated in service-learning activities with the Little Children of the Philippines Foundation, Inc.; Dumaguete City Youth Home; Gawad Kalinga Jamalipayon Village, Jawa, Valencia; and Barangay Boloc-Boloc, Dauin.
The GMU students were accompanied by Dr. Al B. Fuertes, GMU’s Global Education Program Director and 2019 Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee; Helen Gaspar; and student buddies John Louie Delmo, Karla Encarguez, Rowena Lasuta, Abigail Maraat, Atty. Ceres Mangibin, Rawan Minalang, Ivy Pantinople, and Nikko Jay Venturillo.
Service-learning is a teaching pedagogy that facilitates community immersion, cultural understanding, and a broadening of one’s perspective on local issues. Participants are able to stay with host families, participate in a community’s day-to-day activities, and assist in livelihood projects.
The partnership with ICU and GMU for its service-learning program began in 2008. – NWI
