CYDF Newsletter, Vol.2, Issue 1, 2007 August 2008 - Calantas ...

p2By: Rita Nabong-Mendoza, BS Bio, BSN, RNWhen we philosophically examine the meaning and definition of “what makes a humanbeing, a human being is,” it is said that “s/he is not only an individual but a social being”. As anindividual being, we have the capacity to make our life successful and fulfilled in the practice ofour chosen career. As a social being, we always find a soft spot in our hearts to also ask ourselveson “how far have we gone to share our success, especially to those less privileged in need of our“help” the most?”As reported, there are more than 4 million Filipinos in the “home” country living in abject poverty despite of theimpression that many find their luck working abroad. Poverty is not a word but a reality especially to those who findthemselves in abject poverty. We are not being asked to solve but are invited to share and try to help solve, so as to lessen ifnot to totally eradicate, abject poverty, especially in the Philippine rural areas.As a socially responsible being, we have the capacity to respond positively to the call (challenge) of helping toimprove the quality of life of those less privileged members of our society. When we look back where we came from and seethe horizon of where we are headed to, a shadow of the past reminds us that we ought to do something and confront thechallenge of helping to uplift the spirit of those whom we have left back home and help them carry the load of improving thehealth of the community that we call “home” and the land of our birth. So, let’s come together and try to bond ourselves inharmony to bring the message of hope for our young generation and let them know that we “think” of them and try torespond positively to the call, as we move on with our lives.But, some of us might say: “Am I my brothers’ keeper?” While it is true that we are not our brothers’ keeper, it isalso equally true that we care to “help” unconditionally because each one of us is gifted with a “human heart” that has acapacity to respond positively in times of their needs and misery. It is man’s nature to look after the general welfare andgoodness of his fellow human beings, be they your own relatives or not.We call upon those who care to listen and would like to respond with magnanimity on the plight of our countrymen“to help them help themselves so they can help others leading to breaking their cycle of poverty as they learn tobecome socially responsible”. CYDFI takes this upon itself as a Mission and its reason for existence: “A CrusadeAgainst Abject Poverty In Philippine Rural Areas”.The entry of the 1st CYDFI Scholar, Cherry Ann G. Estrada, from Phase 1 (High School) to Phase 2 (College)beginning SY: 2007-2008 at Far Eastern University in Manila indicates that the SUCCESS of the Scholarship Programof the Calantas Young Dreamers Foundation, Inc. depends on the timely SUPPORT provided by the Teodoro-FaustaCollege Scholarship Grant. This is the kind of support that the Foundation needs from the community that when itsscholars in Phase 1 (High School) move on to the Phase 2 (College).The effect of the methodology (SWREM Theory In Action) in empowering indigent but deserving talented youthshelp them help themselves through a Scholarship Program Model of the Foundation so they can help incoming scholars“When dream becomes a reality, then realitybecomes a dream. So, dream a betterdream, then work hard to make it real”.Excerpt from Movie Dialogue“Adventures of Sharkboy & Lavagirl”A Moment of Great Joy for Cherry Ann G. Estrada and her Mom has come formaking her dream come true as the 1st beneficiary of the Teodoro-Fausta CollegeScholarship Grant sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Herminio Mercado, the Pride ofCalantas. With support from kind-hearted individuals like the Mercado’s, there is nodoubt that the Mission of the Foundation will be accomplished. More power to thosewho respond to the “call-to-respond challenge” of the Foundation to Abject Poverty!leading to breaking their cycle ofpoverty as they learn to becomesocially responsible, with implicationsnot only to personal butcommunity growth and development,is a clear and shining model on howwe can “respond” positively to thechallenge of helping to address abjectpoverty in the Philippine rural areasbeginning with Calantas. The timelyresponse of the Mercado Family tellsus that there is hope for our youths inCalantas and other rural communitiesin the Philippines like Bo. Benedictosponsored by Vicky Manlulu-Hilarioof New Jersey, USA.