on kalsada...
it's 1:30am now. i came home just about an hour ago from the apo view hotel for this semester's kalsada team building. i would expect that most of you guys don't know what kalsada is. but, i am not going to define kalsada here. i'd much rather describe it for definition will only tend to box it in. so, i'll say that kalsada is not just a group. it is not a formal organization, a society, or a club under ateneo. we are not an ngo. the volunteers are not social workers as well. we are just a group of friends; friends who desire to also become friends with our less privileged kid neighbors who live in brgy. 29-c, jacinto, davao city.
kalsada didn't start without a vision and that vision was to become real "men and women for others", true ateneans so to speak. ate erika, our so-called foundress, manilenya, jesuit volunteer, former teacher, quintessential atenean, and a very dear friend of mine, was actually the first one who thought of teaching street kids who live near ateneo. she somehow saw the need in helping these unfortunate children and says that not only were they problematic financially but physically, emotionally, and spiritually as well. now, when she was teaching in addu, she texted some of her students to ask for help. it so happened that kakai, one of my dearest friends, was that one single student who replied. since they were looking for more helpers, kakai asked us (her friends and CS classmates) to volunteer. the rest is history.
from day one 'til now, i am overwhelmed by how kalsada has grown. not only have we become true "kabataang alay sa aral at dasal" but all of us KVOLAs (kalsada volunteers and acolytes) and KKs (kalsada kids) have formed a most special bond of friendship rooted in christ and ignatian spirituality. imagine, from five to twelve volunteers in less than a year! this just goes to show that God is blessing us and that He, indeed, has a plan for us. even our most beloved fr. bob hogan, SJ has expressed his interest in helping out kalsada and even another JVP (jesuit volunteer of the philippines), ate monyeen, has extended her hand by facilitating a team-building session. i really really am awestruck! my heart is overflowing with so much gratitude for these generous people.
being a kalsada volunteer, i recognize what st. ignatius and his companions have always said: to desire for Magis (Latin for "more"). magis is simply "desiring and wanting to do more for God, for His greater glory." ad majorem dei gloriam. with this in mind, i also remember what mother teresa has said about helping the less fortunate ones in society. "we do it for jesus for we see him in the poor and in the poor in him. we do it for jesus. we do it for jesus." our work/service in kalsada, we do for jesus because we desire for magis.
i am so proud of kalsada and thankful for the new KVOLAs, who are abi, kenneth, kcy, paul, carl, and cathy and the ever-present oldies who are ate erika, tetle, arian, kakai, and jedd.
guyz, padayon ta! padayon lang!
for the greater glory of God.
be proud you are an atenean who truly lives as st. ignatius did!
kami na jud ni. wa nay lain. lahi ra jud.
kalsada didn't start without a vision and that vision was to become real "men and women for others", true ateneans so to speak. ate erika, our so-called foundress, manilenya, jesuit volunteer, former teacher, quintessential atenean, and a very dear friend of mine, was actually the first one who thought of teaching street kids who live near ateneo. she somehow saw the need in helping these unfortunate children and says that not only were they problematic financially but physically, emotionally, and spiritually as well. now, when she was teaching in addu, she texted some of her students to ask for help. it so happened that kakai, one of my dearest friends, was that one single student who replied. since they were looking for more helpers, kakai asked us (her friends and CS classmates) to volunteer. the rest is history.
from day one 'til now, i am overwhelmed by how kalsada has grown. not only have we become true "kabataang alay sa aral at dasal" but all of us KVOLAs (kalsada volunteers and acolytes) and KKs (kalsada kids) have formed a most special bond of friendship rooted in christ and ignatian spirituality. imagine, from five to twelve volunteers in less than a year! this just goes to show that God is blessing us and that He, indeed, has a plan for us. even our most beloved fr. bob hogan, SJ has expressed his interest in helping out kalsada and even another JVP (jesuit volunteer of the philippines), ate monyeen, has extended her hand by facilitating a team-building session. i really really am awestruck! my heart is overflowing with so much gratitude for these generous people.
being a kalsada volunteer, i recognize what st. ignatius and his companions have always said: to desire for Magis (Latin for "more"). magis is simply "desiring and wanting to do more for God, for His greater glory." ad majorem dei gloriam. with this in mind, i also remember what mother teresa has said about helping the less fortunate ones in society. "we do it for jesus for we see him in the poor and in the poor in him. we do it for jesus. we do it for jesus." our work/service in kalsada, we do for jesus because we desire for magis.
i am so proud of kalsada and thankful for the new KVOLAs, who are abi, kenneth, kcy, paul, carl, and cathy and the ever-present oldies who are ate erika, tetle, arian, kakai, and jedd.
guyz, padayon ta! padayon lang!
for the greater glory of God.
be proud you are an atenean who truly lives as st. ignatius did!
kami na jud ni. wa nay lain. lahi ra jud.