David Thiele B.

Zinampan 11527900
TREDTWO EB1
Dr. Lolita Castillo
ERDA
Individual Reflection Paper

In preparation for our On-Site Community Service, a lot of orientations were held to

help us further understand the situation in our deployment area. We planned activities, such as

games and lessons, for our community service but we were warned about expecting too much

from our community. We were told that we would have to carry out with our activities in a tiny

space. We saw this to be a problem because we did not know how to implement our plans in a

tiny room. Another expectation before proceeding to our community is that it would be hot

and sticky. We already completed our National Service Training Program and we used to go to

the slums to help. When we arrived at the community, all my expectations were correct. It was

a super sunny day and our venue was a tiny space. Though we had a tiny space and super sunny

day, we made the most out of it. We accomplished our goals; to teach the children about Math

and Science, to foster unity between La Sallian students and the less fortunate and to share our

blessing by feeding the children. My perspective, values, and faith were affected by this

experience because it opened my eyes on how lucky I am. I was born with food on the table,

clothes on my back, and a roof to shelter me. It made me appreciate the things I have and it

made me realize that I should be contented with my life. Our deployment area was beside the

dirty water of Manila Bay, which lead to a lot of sickness. The community is filled with hundreds

of poverty-stricken people, who cannot pay for the medicine they need. The children lack the
proper role models to guide them to the right path, which leads to hundreds of dropouts.

Although there were a lot of issues in the community, I saw the potential deep inside the

children we taught. I saw the achievers lacking the necessary equipment in order to succeed in

life. As La Sallians, we have the moral obligation to inspire and help the less fortunate to

succeed in life because we are fortunate enough to afford quality education. We should

continue implementing community services in order to pass on the blessing we were luckily

given. My parents always taught me appreciate what I have and give back to the marginalized

sector. They always set an example on how to help others through little things and I admire the

way they treat others. As a Christian, I believe that service is the best thing we can do to our

neighbor. It is what Jesus would do and thus, I will also do the same because we should always

try to follow Jesus’ footsteps. The development of the less fortunate society is a development

of our beloved country. Social development can contribute to significant changes, such as

economically, in our country. Everywhere and everything we do outside the campus, we are

bringing the name and the values of De La Salle University. Through taking steps towards

development, we promote La Sallian values and contribute to the success of our nation. I

believe that, as our nation’s future movers and shakers, we owe our society. It is time to give

back to the country, who has given us so much. I really enjoyed our On-Site Community Service

because I love placing smiles on the faces of other. Being the head of the food committee, it

was really heartwarming seeing the smiles on the faces of the children as I was distributing the

food. I remember the two kids, sitting on the staircase, staring at the food. We had extra

Spaghetti, so I gave it to them and their reactions was really priceless. Knowing that those kids

won’t go to bed starving, makes me feel human.