THE COMMUNITY

 I used to think about the community as a vacation – better yet, an escapade. An escapade in a sense that I can escape from all the stress that school has to offer. Don’t get me wrong, I do not regret entering med school. But this semester, I was overwhelmed. It was far more different than what I was used to during my freshman year. The stress made me entertain the thought of escaping to the community. Funny as it may seem, when in fact last year, I preferred to stay in Zamboanga, in school, than be ‘deported’ back in Diplahan. But this year, it was the opposite. I really wanted the sem to end, for finally rest and community seemed synonymous to me.

But it dawned to me that, this isn’t really my purpose. This isn’t really the purpose of why our school sends us to far flung areas, a bit different from what we are used to. The essence of being in the community is to serve. That is for the community people. And what’s in it for us? I asked the same question. Every time we get back in the community, I always feel more thankful for all the blessings I have. Even the simplest things are accentuated in the community. I realize that there are times that I feel so unsatisfied with what I have in life. I sometimes complain regarding simple things like commuting to school, not having my favorite viand for dinner, and some other petty things. When I arrive in the community, I get to see other people who, despite the simpler things they have, seem contented and thankful than I am. They usually commute and endure a long commute time in habal-habals, which are uncomfortable, they have simple food and their work is difficult compared to my student lifestyle, but still they seem more contented than I am. I realized that our exposure is meant to teach us to be thankful and at the same time be humble. With the humbling experience comes the desire to help the community people. And I hope in the coming exposures, my group and I can establish the real purpose of our stay in the community. It is not merely an escapade, but a goal to help the community live a healthy life.


-Sarah

Loving the community

As part of the school's curriculum, we have a community exposure every semester for 1 month. Thus, we spent our 3 weeks at  Bgy. Songcuya , Diplahan , Zamboanga Sibugay and we had a glimpse about the life in the rural area . when we arrived , i was surprised by the people since we have our new kitchen and comfort room .  I remembered from our first exposure is that the place was small but it is enough for us to call a shelter. Our kitchen and bathroom are located outside. When we would like to eat our lunch,we have to cook with a piece of plywood that serve as a shield against the heat of the sun.But 1 year has passed,the people have full of surprises for us . In our second exposure , there were improvement, our stove was now inside and they prepared a bed for us . Then now they alloted a budget for the kitchen a and CR.  it's really amazing that the people are very generous and hospitable. What I have experienced there was pure generosity . In fact, they taught me how to be give without expecting in return. They also taught me to live simple and to value relationship.

In this exposure we implement some of our plans in the community. We formed a core group and listened what the community people wants. I was apprehensive if they wanted the project but it turned out the people are very cooperative.I also admire our bgy. Capt and the people since they are really supportive in the projects and they wanted it to be implemented right away .

 In our exposure, We were like teachers. We prepared teaching tools , study the lesson proper and even practice with my groupmate on how we shall teach the students and mothers. I enjoyed teaching the day care students about the food groups and singing with them the bahay kubo song .  We also had mother's  class giving me  the opportunity to enhance my public speaking skills and to discuss about breastfeeding and nutrition. I admit it is really hard to teach in the vernacular language although my bisaya was not fluent but the mother had fun and at the same time learned . I also enjoyed chatting with the mother while they are cooking    for the feeding program.

We still had more activities to be implemented like the toilet bowl project, health teaching about BP reading to the BHW but it was cut short because of inevitable circumstance.

-crystal joy