ViVa PASDONG!

           The Cordillera Youth Network for Global Change (CYNGC) in partners with Saint Louis University- Prime Movers Society (SLU-PMS), Saint Louis University-SSC, Kings Colleges of the Philippines-Supreme Student Government (KCP-SSG), and University of the Philippines Baguio-Gawad Kalinga (UPGK-Baguio), GDC Quality Assurance Department-SITEL Baguio conducted an Outreach Program at Brgy. Pasdong, Atok, Benguet with the theme “Launching of Millennium Development Goal: UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR ALL” on November 30, 2013.

The said organizations assembled in the open Gymnasium of Capitol, La Trinidad, Benguet at 6:00 in the morning and arrived at Brgy. Pasdong at 9:00am. The vehicle used for transportation from La Trinidad to Atok, Benguet was provided by the Municipality of Atok.

The Brgy.officials and the community welcomed the group with their smiles and warm greetings. We were able to participate and witness their Brgy. Assembly, it started with an invocation followed by Pambansang Awit, Opening Remarks and an acknowledgement for the presence of the group by the Brgy.Chairman.The CYNGC president, Debraliz Gabol was also given a part to introduce the organization to the community and explain our goal in this Outreach Program.

After such, the students of Pasdong Elementary School gathered in the playground for the activities prepared for them. The first activity for them was the “Finding the Family” it is about making and creating an animal sound and finding their family sound with their eyes closed, 5 groups were created and through this, the creativity and wit of the kids and the facilitators was witnessed. The second game for all is called “Spider web” it is a getting to know activity using yarn. The yarn was being passed randomly through all the kids forming a web and the kids shouting their name whenever they catches the yarn, while holding the “spider web” the kids’ sang the Atok Hymn. This activity has been the symbolism of the unity of the community and their connections as students that they need each other for more learning experiences.

The next activity was a separate game for Kinder to Grade3 and Grade4 to Grade6. The Games/ activity prepared for Grades 4 to 6 are the following:

·         SENSE GAME: It is about testing the kids’ senses and memory. The sense that was tested was their sense of TOUCH, TASTE and SMELL. This was tested with their eyes closed and after finishing all of this they were gathered together as a group and write everything they remember touching, smelling and tasting.

·         STRAW and BOTTLE: 8 bottles are formed vertically in lined with each group. Students put 8 straws on the bottles and getting it again as fast as they can. The kids’ concentration was tested.

·         SACK RACE: Using a sack, the students wear it and jump forward until they reach the finish line and returning again to their groups jumping, all the group members did this as fast as they can. The strength and alertness of the students was tested on this game.

·         WATER CATCHING: Water placed on cellophane was used in this game. This is a pair game wherein they should be able to catch the plastic contained water and prevent it from falling. The concentration and trust from each other was tested in this activity.

·         LONGEST LINE: This game is forming the longest line using the things that they are wearing or all the things that they have. The creativity and thinking skills of the students was tested on this activity, they even used their own body to create the longest line.

For the Kinder to Grade 3, the activities prepared were the following:

·         SHO-ER FUN: It is a game wherein the kids’ leave their footwear on the other side of the area and they fall in line on the opposite side. The kids must wear their own footwear as fast as they can and return to their lines again. The kids’ familiarization and alertness was being tested.

·         DROP and POP: It is a game wherein the kids’ pop balloons as fast as they can. The alertness of the kids was tested on this activity.

·         CATCHING EGG: This is a pair game wherein they should be able to catch the egg and prevent it from falling. The concentration and trust from each other was tested in this activity.

·         LONGEST LINE: This game is forming the longest line using the things that they are wearing or all the things that they have. The creativity and thinking skills of the students was tested on this activity, they even used their own body to create the longest line.

Overall, the kids’ were very active, excited and very willing to give their best for the prizes waiting for them. The kids were able to adopt and follow the instructions from the facilitators. We have seen their enjoyment through their smiles and laughter.

The games ended with an inspirational message from the facilitators for the kids followed by the giving of gifts to the students awarded by Hon. Peter B. Alos, the Municipal Mayor of Atok, purely his presence was already a big gift for the students and for the community. The Program ended at 3:00 in the afternoon.

Hearing the kids say “Thank You” is music to our ears and seeing their beautiful smiles are now our inspiration in continuing giving hope and joy to more kids that will be the future leaders and successors of their own communities and own country. This Outreach Program is another successful activity of Cordillera Youth Network for Global Change (CYNGC) but this program will not be successful and meaningful without this following organizations and people. Saint Louis University- Prime Movers Society (SLU-PMS), Saint Louis University-SSC, Kings Colleges of the Philippines-Supreme Student Government (KCP-SSG), University of the Philippines Baguio-Gawad Kalinga (UPGK-Baguio), GDC Quality Assurance Department-SITEL Baguio , Liezl Gano, Lynette Ateteo, Clint Labon, Marilyn Bango, Rojan, Aris Enconado, Corazon Campoy and most especially the Municipality of Atok. They helped us in giving hope and attaining our goal of giving a “Universal Primary Education for All” to Pasdong Elementary School students.

The Cordillera Youth Network for Global Change (CYNGC) keeps believing that “If we want Change, Let it begin with ourselves”