Text and photos by Geraldin Elican (Teach for the Philippines Ambassador) and Jett Torres (XU-NSP Program Head)
The desire of giving inspiration to our Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners is a process of weaving the light of hope. They hope to experience quality education and to be equipped with leadership skills.
To these ends, the Xavier Ateneo Night School Program, an ALS school, conducted a leadership camp with the theme “Empowering Learners, Discovering Leadership Within” on October 6 at the Gardens of Malasag.
The activity was facilitated by Geraldin Elican, Teach for the Philippines ambassador, in partnership with the XU School of Education - Values Education Class 18. The students conceptualized the module and facilitated the various activities.
The City Social Welfare Department (CSWD), through its aftercare division, supported the leadership camp by assuring social protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of the youth.
The activity was aimed at empowering the learners through basic orientation and leadership training seminar, understanding the individual strengths and leadership styles through collaborative and teamwork methods.
The participants were able to discover more about themselves, through self-awareness activities, and to recognize their personal dreams through kite-making and flying activity.
The community building also helped them understand the concept of leadership through brainstorming, working with others, and decision-making.
“Pareho sa langgam nga inyong ginagunitan, kamo ang maka-decide unsa inyong gusto mahitabo sa langgam, your future lies in your hands,” shared Rovelyn Taboclaon, CSWD section head of the aftercare division.
“This event is just the beginning of your leadership journey, this is just the first of the many leadership activities we will have," added Maria Victoria Trinidad, director of Arrupe Educational Center.
"As leaders who were privileged to be part of this leadership training, you have a special role to lead and be of help to your co-ALS learners,” Trinidad continued.
A processing session was held for the ALS learners on honing their leadership skills and on having an "inspiring perspective" in dealing with everyday struggles.
The Xavier Ateneo Night School Program hopes to provide an experiential learning to empower the youth, alleviate them from poverty through education, and help them become productive citizens of the country.
The program believes that these young people have the capacity and the potential to make a difference in their own lives.∎
XU NIGHT SCHOOL LEARNERS. The participants and facilitators strike a pose during the leadership camp activity at the Gardens of Malasag.
PROGRAM HEAD. Jett L Torres, Xavier Ateneo Night School Program founder and program head, gives his short but inspiring opening remarks as he encourages participants to engage, learn, and enjoy the leadership camp.
TEAMWORK. Xavier Ateneo Night School learners craft their own kite as part of the understanding the concept of leadership through brainstorming, working with others, and decision-making.
SELF-AWARENESS. Values Education student-volunteers facilitate the Color My Feelings activity. The activity enabled them to better understand and discover their own unique self.
WORKSHOP. Xavier Ateneo learners actively participate in the communication and listening skills activity.
INSPIRATION. Maria Victoria B Trinidad, director of Arrupe Educational Center, inspires the ALS learners by giving her closing remarks during the leadership camp. She challenged the learners to continue honing and empowering their own leadership potential to become effective leaders in their own family and community.