On volunteerism
Posted by: Keith Buenaventura
in the category Volunteer Views
Keith Buenaventura is a sophomore student at Ateneo de Manila and a Pathways student leader.
When I was an incoming fourth year high school student, I ran for a position in our student council. In fact, it was me who initiated the formation of a party composed of students from higher sections while our opponent party came from the lower sections. My excitement to see the fruit of our campaign changed to bitterness and disappointment when our party got all the positions in the council except for the presidency. I was annoyed with how the majority of students decided and voted in that election especially when the president-elect won by promising to remove the gap between higher and lower sections. The voice of the lower sections prevailed when they decided to end discrimination and unequal granting of opportunities. It was only when I left high school that I realized that they only wanted change; that they only wanted to be given a chance to prove that they too deserve attention.
I never knew what the students from the lower sections felt and experienced. I didn’t know that the school discriminated against them and treated them like the school’s weaknesses while those in the higher sections are the school’s strengths. I didn’t know that most teachers ignore their will to learn and that they hold the impression that these students don’t work hard on their studies. I on the other hand only know that they are students who only fairly (or sometimes badly) do on exams. I know them to be students who occasionally get failing grades in a subject or two.
What I didn’t know was that failing grades did not imply their lack of interest in academics. They just probably have an inadequate background and they needed patience, consideration, or even concern and affection from the people who look at them negatively. All they want is a chance to shine.
Last March 2006, I and other Batch 4 participants of Pathways to Higher Education Program from Marikina joined SERVICE (Student Enthusiasts Rendering Vision and Impact on Competitive Education) and volunteered as subject tutors. I became a homeroom adviser of one section and for almost two summer terms, I tutored students from lower sections of public high schools in Marikina. I saw their potential by giving them an equal package of advanced learning opportunities. In one way or another, they eventually were able to express and develop their gifts that had been kept unnoticed for a long time; the same way Pathways has helped us help ourselves and others more. With this program, I learned that I don’t just give back or pay forward the blessings and opportunities that Pathways has given me. If this had been the main reason for volunteering, I am sure I couldn’t have committed myself to the program. I stayed in SERVICE because of its objectives and philosophy of equal education packaging and distribution. And I promise to stay as a volunteer for SERVICE as long as I see discrimination against students of lower sections.
Because of the form of education in the country, only those who come from higher (or some call “star”) sections experience care and concern from the school. This system only leaves unnecessary, oftentimes wrong, impressions among students. It is not fair that students who do not come from higher sections are at the bottom line when it comes to enriching their thoughts, skills, and talents. This discrimination leads to an unequal distribution of education. But I know that this can be changed. What is at stake is the perception those students from lower sections form (or project) about themselves – their thoughts, skills and development. I know they are not stupid or slow. Only when we realize the importance of equal treatment of all students can we start to reformat the education system and prevent it from deteriorating.
Through SERVICE, students from lower sections find other people who believe in their capabilities. The program is an inspiration from the leadership training seminars that Pathways gave us and the ANI (Alay ni Ignacio) experience. ANI is an Ateneo-based program conducting free summer tutorial classes every year.
With this kind of programs and projects our government can invest on our youth – through education that can change and mold society. Through SERVICE, I hope to see sparkles of hope and equality again.
I began my life of service thinking that no person is ever honored for what he received. Honor is the reward for what he had given. I need to carry out these plans and I hope that you will support me in my dream to someday change the education system in our society. I know this is not easy; sometimes, it is even a thankless job. But with firm belief in my capacity and with Pathways, who share with me a love for the young people and a vision to see our Marikina community full of educated and competent individuals, I know everything will be worth it. And someday, students and educators will realize that we did our best for the Marikeño and the Filipino youth.
