FOCAR_KALAHI-CIDSS_Compendium2016_final2

Empowerd Citizens
Multi-awarded
i-benguet sparks
inspiration as Kalahi
volunteer
Azriel Dolo with Jasmin Kiaso
His story truly embodies an empowered person. He began a journey as a simple volunteer who
later involved himself to different government and non-government programs implemented in
their barangay until he became a multi-awarded individual.
KALAHISerye 2016|| 33
F
or someone to render or express his
willingness to undertake a service
without getting paid or expecting
valuable rewards is a truly inspiring
act. A selfless act that is usually
associated to those we call “volunteers”
- bighearted and empowered individuals
that are often unrecognized of their
priceless service.
“Volunteers do not necessarily have
the time; they just have the heart.”
Elizabeth Andrew once said.
Volunteers are treasure to most
government and non-government
organizations that are into community
service and community-driven
development which includes the Kapit-
Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive
and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services (Kalahi-CIDSS, now a National
Community Driven Development
Program (NCDDP) under the Department
of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD).
Throughout the two-year
implementation of the Kalahi-CIDSS
program in Atok, Benguet, the purpose
of the program which is empowerment
is slowly being fulfilled. This is evident
on certain individuals and groups
in the community who had shown
exemplary performance and enhanced
their knowledge and skills by actively
participating in the implementation,
decision-making, and management of
development activities in the Community
Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC) of
the program.
Most of them are community
volunteers who willingly sacrifice
their time just to involve themselves
in the technical, financial and social
management of the program.