The College of Education – Student Body Organization (CE- SBO) proves that in the month of love, giving extends beyond exchanging sweets and flowers as they commenced their outreach program at Sta. Rita West Elementary School, Agoo, La Union last February 22, 2023.

The organization gave school supplies to the 58 Grade 1 learners and initiated games and storytelling activities. The kit contained a pad of paper, a pair of pencils, an eraser, a box of crayons, and a sharpener.

The CE-SBO were also joined in by the captains and representatives from the various education programs of the College. They were spearheaded by their officer-in-charge, Myla Servito, a second-year student of the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) major in Filipino.

“Doon sa pinuntahan namin, nakita namin na iyong mga gamit nila na mga lapis ay maliit na lang. Kaya parang napakalaking blessing para doon sa mga bata na makatanggap sila ng mga ganoong bagay kasi nagkaroon sila ng mga bagong school supplies,” Servito said when asked about the purpose of the activity.

Provincial Public Information Officer, Mark Michael Patrick Garcia, described his experience at the event as personally fulfilling, for it has been two years since he immersed himself in such activities. “There is fulfillment, too, on my part to see them (kids) happy with the gifts that we gave to them,” the third-year BSED major in English student added.

Also, Mrs. Lorna Difuntorum, the officer-in-charge of Sta. Rita West Elementary School that day was hopeful that in the next CE-SBO outreach program in their school, all grade levels will be catered to.

“We will do our best,” Servito remarked. “Kapag po papalarin next year, gagawin po ulit yoon (outreach program) na kung saan ang pinaka-objective na po naming na mabigyan ay lahat na po ng students ng Sta. Rita [West Elementary School].”

The organization is open to cater other schools as well. “Since OIC pa lang po ako ngayon, ginagamay ko pa po ngayon kung paano ang paglabas ng pondo… kapag po nakapag-produce kami ng mas malaking fund hindi lang po yoong Sta. Rita West [Elementary School], pupunta pa po kami sa mga mas malalayong school na kung saan hindi po talaga naabot ng tulong,” Servito said.

Sta. Rita West Elementary School was their target recipient even before the project was approved.

Besides extending their generosity to the chosen school, the outreach program also became a platform for Servito to observe and identify potential leaders in the college. “Nakita ko with this outreach na ang dami pala pwede i-produce na student leaders sa College of Education.”

When asked about the future projects and activities of the organization, Servito shared that they are planning to conduct leadership training for the education students and student leaders alike as well.

Prof. Nestor Ulpindo, CE-SBO adviser, assisted the student leaders throughout the outreach program. (by Robert De Guzman, The College Forum)

Photos by Alfred Lacebal, CE-SBO, BSED OIC Auditor