The Relaunch of ASSET’s Project ABC at Sinag-Tala Elementary School

It has been four (4) years ever since I became a part of the organization called ASSET (Alumni Scholars for Service Excellence and Transformation of Metrobank Foundation). It is a non-government organization which was established for the purpose of upholding social awareness and environmental concern to the youth as they thrive for excellence in their respective academic and professional fields of endeavor. Being a part of it molded me into become determined and dedicated. I learned the importance of fortitude amidst adversity.

As the organization continuously supports a mission centered on leadership towards social responsibility, it seeks to develop the innate potential to excel among Filipinoes. To realize this goal, the organization seeks not only to create opportunities for the members to interact and share ideas among themselves but also to encourage them to become actively involved in the task of nation-building by initiating socially-relevant activities, community projects and outreach programs.

One of these programs is PROJECT ABC. It provides free tutorial sessions to public school students who have difficulty in reading. The first leg of the said project was held at Marcela-Marcelo Elementary School in Pasay last summer. Since the first leg was found to be successful we decided to relaunch it at Sinag-Tala Elemetary School in Quezon City this October.

We began the preparations and meetings weeks before the launch. We had the final preparations done last October 3 at Metrobank Foundation. Opening day came, October 4, 2008. It was really a big day for all of us. ASSET members were there too help: Jasper, Carmelito, Von, Earl, Peter, Louela, Decee, Juvey. Even Ms. Jackie from MBFI was there to witness the event. Who forget Mike, my co-counselor at LSM who also volunteered for the PROJECT. We never imagined that we would get thru that day but we did! GRACIOUS!

And so, the weeks passed by, tutors come and go. I never thought we would reach the fourth session with complete number of volunteers. Thanx to my to: Karl, Ate Tere, Kuya Manuel Mike and Maui who unwavering responded when I asked them for help. Every session was certainly challenging. Teaching the children how to read requires a lot of effort and patience. Seeing them every Saturday afternoon taught me a lot of things. I learned to be more grateful for God’s blessings.

There will be more sessions to come and I hope that as I teach these children I learn more from them.