CES-based org’ KSP conducts Community Immersion,  Service Learning

To promote one of the four fold functions of the institution, UNEP Community Extension Service (CES) summer class of 2014 conducted a Community Immersion/Outreach Program at Living Rock Village, Perpetual Help, Iriga City held May 24-25, 2014.

The said class consists of 4th year BEEd and BSEd students, at the same time the members of the Kabalikat Sa Pamayanan (KSP) Organization headed by Ryan B. Cerillo, the incumbent president. The newly formed organization was initiated by Mrs. Evelyn O. Ibias, their instructor in CES and the UNEP NSTP Coordinator.

Highlights of the Community Immersion were the service-learning, gift-giving, sharing of life experiences, storytelling, and feeding.

On the first day, activities were the straw bag, coin purse and pencil case making. There were eight groups, each group was composed of two to three members wherein they were tasked to impart to their assigned family the knowledge and skills learned in the course, CES, through service-learning.

Other skills taught in the subject were cupcake decorating, eco bag, pot holder and rag making. However, the members of KSP chose only those activities that can be done in a specific period of time.

Moreover, outdoor activities occurred ahead the immersion were the care giving to children with special needs at Bicol Development Learning Center (BDLC), hiking activity at Mt. Asog and Brigada Eskwela at Sagrada Elementary School, Iriga City.

The activities during the second day were the storytelling and feeding. The big book reading was led by:  Mr.  Kevin  A. delos Santos,  UNEP  High School English Teacher and the Editor in Chief of Frontline Publication, S/Y 2012-2013; Likewise, Richelle Payra and Warren Embestro, both BEEd 4 students had a story telling using another big book. The selected Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), UNEP Chapter members with Mrs. Joan Sombrero, GSP outfit adviser/ troop leader also conducted a feeding program and gift giving of used clothes to the children of LRV as part of the Outreach Program.

The two-day activity was made possible in cooperation of the Barangay Official of Perpetual Help headed by Brgy. Capt. Eduardo V. Dimaiwat Jr.; the inhabitants of LRV ; and the UNEP KSP Organization. Therefore, as the closing program those important persons were acknowledged and representatives per group were given the chance to extend thanks for the warm welcome shown to them by the host family.

“A special thanks to ma’am Evelyn Ibias, our instructor, who unselfishly shared her guidance, support, effort, time and expertise to us. You are the best ma’am. Thanks and God bless. And also deepest thanks to all my classmates for your full cooperation and support for me as your class president. I love you all,” Cerillo wrote in his reflection. 

In connection to this, a radio interview last May 31 in the UNEP hour every 9:00 a.m segment of Radyo Amigo,  Mrs. Ibias along with her student who undergone immersion namely Kristine Daza, Warren Embestro and Richard Sena were given the opportunity to share their unforgettable  experiences and realizations about the said immersion.

In conclusion, the activities imparted were indeed a success to the whole CES-based org., the KSP.