Equipped with the tenets of community involvement and people empowerment they learned in class, 44 students of Southwestern University Community Education and Development (CED) 1 headed by class adviser Norma Cubeta-Maratas embarked on a community outreach program entitled “Compassion and Care in Action” at the Gasa sa Gugma, a home for the dying destitutes of the Missionaries of Charity in Mabolo, Cebu City.
The project, anchored on the theme “Pagtagad ug Pag-amuma sa Nag-inusara Angayan nga Buhaton Ta!,” involved the students in providing brothers and sisters necessities such as food, clothing, medicines and cash that were accepted by the nuns.The entire class also presented entertainment and games which involved the elderly members of Gasa sa Gugma. Lolo Domingo, 65, sang “Kasadya Ning Taknaa” with the accompaniment of his old guitar. Lola Rosa, who is 106 years old, also delivered the welcome address in fluent English and showed unbelievable wit as well as dancing talents in waltz and cha-cha. Lola Inday, who is a mute but mentally alert, wrote on her note pad, “It's very boring here. I have always wished to see people from outside to visit us. God answered my prayer.” Touched by the smiles and gratitude expressed by the elderly, the whole class affirmed that it was an unforgettable moment of their lives. Some of the students pledged to revisit Gasa Sa Gugma during their free time. A moving statement posted at the office of the Missionaries of Charity, which reads “Wholehearted and Free Service to the Poorest of the Poor," made the students realize that showing compassion and care to people who feel unwanted, unloved and have become a burden to the society is not just a conscientious mission but a catalyst for an uplifting feeling of having helped unconditionally. /SWU AB English Student Gianne Rensen V. Antonio |
