Nikki Dolfo, an undergraduate student of Ateneo de Manila University shares her memorable experience from her time as a volunteer tutor for Landas ng Karunungan, a tutorial program at the Sta. Maria Della Strada Parish. During her summer, she would volunteer as a tutor for high school students teaching english and mathematics. According to Nikki, they would then help benefactors in deliberating if they would provide scholarships to students. In this process, not only was she able to help students gain new opportunities through education, but this also enabled her to go beyond her comfort zone.
“I was apprehensive about joining the tutorial program because I didn’t have any prior teaching experience, and I didn’t know any of the other student volunteers at first.”. Despite her apprehensions, her experience as a volunteer tutor allowed her to do something far greater than herself. “Besides the honor of teaching these students, I was able to form genuine bonds and memorable experiences with them, which I will keep for the rest of my life”. She continues, “It was an experience that taught me so much more than any classroom lecture would have, and going out and meeting different people is always an enriching experience.”
She then continues her experience by saying, “Volunteerism, for me, started here.” For many, their volunteer experience can start at the Filipino Youth Volunteer Convention (FYVC) 2019, happening at the SMX Convention Center Manila this coming October 6th, 2019.
Volunteerism and Opportunity
FYVC is an event that seeks to promote and educate the youth on volunteerism. This year’s theme, “Youth at the Forefront in Unifying for Children’s Rights” seeks to spread awareness on the various rights of children around the world and how the youth can contribute to upholding and protecting these rights.
The event is in support of UNICEF’s advocacy and is in collaboration with various UNICEF affiliated organizations such as Archers for Unicef, Little Hands, UST Volunteers for UNICEF, and Barefoot Philippines. This one-day event, from 8:00am to 6:00 pm, will hold talks from experienced speakers, breakout sessions covering a diverse range of topics and activities for participants, as well as dozens of volunteer opportunities for them to explore. These breakout sessions shall cover different pillars, namely, Justice, Inclusivity, and Welfare.
The Justice pillar will discuss “Bata, ilang taon ka na?: Age of Consent and Statutory Rape”, the Inclusivity pillar will explore the topic of “Tagu-taguan: The Unseen Plight of Indigenous Children”, and lastly the Welfare pillar will focus on “Nanay- Tatay gusto kong asawa? Consequences of Child Early and Forced Marriages”. These sessions from various speakers seek to educate and open the minds of its participants to issues they may not be aware of concerning the rights of children and people in general. This event is open to anyone who wants to learn more on volunteerism and find opportunities on how they can contribute to an organization’s advocacy projects.
Like Nikki, this event can become an avenue for individuals to begin their journeys as volunteers. This can help them gain new opportunities, insights and perspectives on the act of volunteerism. FYVC is a chance for people to engage in something greater than themselves, learn something new, and above all, commit to an act of selflessness and immersive learning with others for the benefit of children and people alike.
ADVT
