Written by: Bernardo Isaiah Escalona III (DLSZ 2028) and Ibarra Lee Coro (DLSZ 2030)
“Reach out and help others. If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. Be a vessel, be the change, be the difference, or be the inspiration. Shine your light as an example. The world needs more of that.” Germany Kent
Inspired by the Lasallian core values Zeal for Service , Concern for the Marginalized, Contribute to Society, and Compassion to Others, the grade school SRCC headed by the Grade 4 Level Representative, Ibarra Lee Coro (DLSZ 2030) and Social Action Level Contacts Rolando Raphael Belmonte (DLSZ 2031), Lorenzo Lirio (DLSZ 2029), and Bernardo Isaiah Escalona III (DLSZ 2028) with the guidance of the grade school SRCC adviser Ms.Rosalyn Chavez implemented the project School Spirit for All last August 2021. The project aimed to reach out and provide school supplies to the children of the DLSZ agency-hired personnel. It was also done to show appreciation and recognize the efforts of the said personnel. Additionally, it promoted generosity and showed the kind-hearted quality of Lasallian students.
To get funds for purchasing the school supplies, the group solicited cash donations from Pre-Kinder to grade 6 students from August 9-20. Fortunately, there were many students with good hearts who donated cash that totals to P55,800 which enabled the group to purchase school supplies for the 78 beneficiaries, the children of agency-hired personnel who are in the elementary levels and at the same time purchase 10 sacks of rice for the agency-hired personnel who had to stay in the Alabang Campus during the ECQ and MECQ periods. Packing the school supplies in an expandable envelope was also done by the volunteer grade school, high school, and senior high school students.
Volunteers pack the school supplies for the children of agency-hired personnel.
The school supplies kits and the drawstring bags from Batch 2029 were turnovered to the representative of the 5 groups of our agency-hired personnel (Roseaire, City Green, DIARS, Eightarms and Fieldmen) last September 18, 2021 in the presence of Ms. Ruby Ramos (Academic Services Department director) , Ms. Elma Dollente (Physical Facilities Office head), Ms. Rosey Chavez, and Mrs. Iris Escalona in school while Ms. Carol Ramos (SCAO head) and the SRCC project heads joined the Google meet call.
Ibarra Coro, in his message during the event said:
“Last school year, we saw our classmates and our teachers during ODL, but we wondered about our ate’s and kuya’s in DLSZ, how you are and your families?
Brix , Raiden and I, thought of a project to unite or boost school spirit for the student body and we also thought of how we can help other students who may have a hard time attending school because they may not have enough resources due to the pandemic.
Came the idea of a project that is not “for” the student body, but instead “from” the student body. A project that everyone can participate in even if there is a pandemic. A project that can give us an opportunity to be servant leaders. A project that encourages the generous hearts of Lasallian students and at the same time to give appreciation to the other members of our DLSZ family… you dear ates and kuyas in school.
After we got all the donations and after packing all the school supplies, we realized that a lot of students want to help and want to serve. We are very glad that the entire DLSZ family gave their full support.”
The agency-hired personnel representatives expressed their gratitude during the event and here are some excerpts from their message:
“ Nagpapasalamat po kami sa pagiging generous ninyo sa mga anak ng inyong mga ate at kuya.” – Ate Raquel (Raquel Valencia – DIARS)
“Kahit sa ating sitwasyon na pandemic ay gumagawa kayo ng paraan para maipadama na ang pag aaral kahit anong mangyari ay di dapat pabayaan” – Kuya Sab (Sg. Antero Sablon – Eight Arms)
“Nagpapasalamat kami kahit online kayo at hindi tayo nagkikita ay di niyo kami nakakalimutan meron pa din kayong binigay para sa aming mga anak” – Kuya Rafael (Rafeal Galo – City Green)
Ates and Kuyas receive the packed school supplies.
The School Spirit for All project exhibited the true Lasallian spirit of the students who reached out to their fellow students and showed their compassion to others during these challenging times. May the School Spirit for All inspire and encourage everyone to continue to spread joy and lend a hand to others, even in the simplest of ways. This just goes to show that, even in this pandemic, we can still be the spark of change we want to see.