It was one of those moments when an enormous chunk of me has to be forgotten. When I refused to yield to sting and just feel the warmth and the challenges of being a woman for others.
This term, we were given a yoke to be selfless and be one of the “major” instruments in building a humble learning facility – that houses mostly reading materials. Saying yes to this yoke would mean rolling our sleeves and do certain things most of us would never imagine doing.
My project partners and I decided that we will sell “turon”, “kikiam”, “gulaman” and “sago”. For 2 and a half weeks, we were out selling our stuff. It was challenging knowing that most of the people in the campus would prefer Mango bravo over our "turon" but armed with sheer determination, we managed to get out of our comfort zone to become man and women for others.
This occurrence – when told to cynics would mean nothing but deep within these 4 humbled hearts, we were up for something that we will never put out of our minds. And I was right. During the whole course of selling, preparing and all those brainstorming, - we managed to pull through and we become somebody else. A better version of ourselves.
During a recent YM conference with my 3 other project partners, one of them said that she became a better person because of this experience. That having lived a life that is very comfortable, it was a huge fulfillment to have earned money on her own – without asking help from her parents. Another said that “this must be the reason why Bill and Melinda Gates are so much into philanthropy – there is such a great fulfillment in helping others that is so incomparable to having your own LVs.” The sole guy in the group said that, “masarap pala ang turon with gulaman and sago but nothing beats that high knowing that those kids will soon have great books to read and learn by.”
As for this blogger, surely – there is so much joy in lending not only our time and effort but our whole selves so that others may benefit.
It was a sight to behold how my project partners – all so young, become someone so passionate and super responsible so that things can get done – not for their sole benefit but simply to be of help for others.
I have seen how they struggle and how it can be quite embarrassing to urge people to buy turon (none of us have experienced selling stuff before) but despite all the struggles we faced, having remembered that the goal is to help others – yes, we managed to pull through.
To Steff, Lia, Brent – more than your “strangest” antics, I am most blessed to have shared this wonderful experience with you. Being the oldest in the group, you surely made me proud.
I am humbled and forever changed.
