“How AMA Changed Me?

”
Mark Jhon Sierra Lorilla, RSW

My AMA Volunteer year helped me to discover more myself and allow me to experience what a
real volunteer is all about. Starting from the Day 1 of our Orientation-Seminar, we are trained how to be
mindful with ourselves and with one another. I remembered how Ms. Gamay always called the attention
of some of us during sessions when we forgot
that we also need to consider other people not
just only our own comfort. During meal time, we
are reminded of the dining ethics like getting an
amount of food that you can only consume. I am
always reminded as well that we should set aside
our mobile phones when eating as a sign of
respect. I saw how time management is important
to us since we follow routines and schedules. I
thought I am already good in time management
but only through this volunteer program, I was
able to improve it well.

Secondly, my prayer and spiritual life was improved.

Before I came to be an AMA Volunteer, I am already prayer-
type person. I always pray everytime when I need divine
intervention. AMA helped me to improve my prayer life since
they taught us the proper and different way of praying. They
also instilled to us the essence of thanksgiving and I am also
thankful that I am assigned in a parish, therefore, there’s no
reason for me to excuse myself from praying and attending the
holy mass during Sunday and special religious events. My
community partner also helped me enhanced my prayer life
since he is a Catechetics Major. Everytime I have a question on
certain part of the history of our religion, he gives me
enlightenment and that is how thankful I am to have Christian
Jelt M. Faunillan of Davao City to be my volunteer partner in
my mission area. I also appreciate to be surrounded with diverse
parishioners especially the old ones since I have learned so
many things from the wisdom they have shared to me. Moreover, I loved working with them since they
know far better than me and they became an example to me on how to be an effective and dedicated
worker.

On the other hand, I was able to reach out more with my family. I’ve seen how supportive they
are to me from the very first day that I decided to be part of the volunteer program. I become more close
and sweet to them, and because of this volunteer program I was able to say my first “I Love You” to my
parents and siblings. I become more family oriented and become more aware of my responsibilities as a
son and as a younger brother. I realized that they are truly one of the sources of my strengths since they
really provide my emotional support at all times.

Being the frontline worker of the Social Service Program

(Caritas Mariae Fund) of the parish became one of the most
significant role that I am very much grateful for. Through this
program, I have met different people from all walks of life. My
patience, understanding and as well as my dedication to my
profession was challenged. I always pray to God to give me more
strength and give me the heart to always see the goodness in others.

AMA Volunteer program helped me enhanced the way I

think and it widens my perspective and understanding on the
diversity of people
and life. I was able to think not only for my own good but
for the good of
others. It helped
me improve my
professional
background in
Social Work since
this volunteer
program allowed me not only to practice my profession directly
to my client but also it allows me to see things clearly and
examine my own self as a person. I realized that I need to be
empowered first so that I could also empower others. Indeed, this experience with AMA helped me to
become more aware of myself and others, and it is gives me a life lesson that other institution and
program cannot provide.

In general, this volunteer program really contributed a lot to the enhancement of my behavior,
attitudes and personality since it helped me discover the steps on how to be a better version of myself
everytime whether alone or with the public. It became a platform for me to showcase my skills and
enhance my confidence in
dealing with people, and I think,
this volunteer program is highly
recommended for those people
who seek for personality
development while doing service
for others since it gives any
volunteer a chance to know their
own self, to reflect and to
enhance their character and to
know their purpose. I am
thankful enough that I made a
right choice, and everyday I am
always grateful because I have a better version of myself and I loved the way that AMA Volunteer
Program changed me. Now that the chapter of my volunteer year will close, a new chapter that is full of
hope, love, undying service to people and faith will start.