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D U G N N O O N L G! U T The idea of Ateneans serving as tutors, to be a helping hand to poor children, sprung way back in 1969 when Mayor Vicente of Naga City asked Fr. James O’Brien to help him in putting up a school for underprivileged children. Fr. O’Brien invited students of Ateneo de Naga College to be a part of this project by teaching the students. Accordingly, the children flourished owing to the tutors’ dedication and care for them. In 1972, Fr. O’Brien noticed a similar case during his time in the Ateneo de Manila High School. In his encounter with the pulot boys, he discovered that they also can’t attend school due to their lack of resources and financial support. With his passion for helping, Fr. O’Brien proposed a tutoring program to support these boys by teaching them various subjects which marked the start of the wonderful project we now know as TULONG DUNONG. There were a lot of difficulties experienced in the first year of Tulong Dunong since systems and structures still haven’t been set. However, these didn’t hinder Ateneo in continuing the program but instead encouraged the institution to further improve and establish the program to help the disadvantaged. In its second year, Tulong Dunong extended its tutoring program to more schools and partnered with different communities to reach out to more students. What once started as an idea, is now part of Ateneo’s culture and tradition. Until now, Tulong Dunong continues to serve as a ray of hope for many and has inspired other schools to do the same as well. Aside from tutoring, the program has advanced to giving out scholarships to deserving students to further their education. Not only has the program helped a multitude of teenagers, but it has also impacted the lives of the Ateneans as they pursue a life centered on being a person for others.
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D U G N N O O N L G! U T We are all too familiar with the saying “actions speak louder than words,” and it is with this saying that the philosophy of Tulong Dunong can be related. In Ateneo, we are called not just to learn, but also to live out Ignatian and Jesuit ideals. In one excerpt from an article about Jesuit education, it was mentioned that “love is shown more in deeds than in words.” Tulong Dunong is the manifestation of this as it calls for active and steady participation from students of the Ateneo de Manila Senior High School to immerse themselves in community-oriented service programs. Being part of TD will help students realize the privileges that they have as they encounter poverty face-to-face; not just as numbers, headlines, or figures in population charts. They are more exposed to the world thus becoming more aware and educated about their community as the lessons discussed in classrooms are given a concrete social dimension. In this case, education becomes more genuine and relevant as it is not just read and understood, but also experienced. Moreover, TD instills the 5 Cs in ASHS students and they are formed to become men and women for and with others –such are values that they need as they go through life to better contribute to society. Tulong Dunong is, in short, more than just a part of the school’s curriculum – it is a way for students to translate their learnings into actions and embody Christlike service to the community.
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D U G N N O O N L G! U T Instead of Tulong Dunong being another school requirement, its aim is to lead students to discern more clearly where they fit into God’s plan and how they can be an instrument in bringing everyone involved to a deeper understanding of God’s loving presence in their everyday lives. We see TD’s work as essentially a spiritual activity, a search for God’s deeper truth, rather than a type of “do-goodism” for its participants. This program is a gift from God and a tangible expression and concrete manifestation of the work of Christ’s Holy Spirit in our actions and works, despite our flaws and limitations. Ateneans may find themselves physically and mentally exhausted but spiritually lifted nonetheless. They go to their children with a firm dedication to help Christ’s little ones. God has proven to us millions of times that He can never be outdone in generosity and He is bestowing on them different interior gifts such as enlightening their minds, motivating them for following their future careers, and different kinds of personal deepening. TD supports the development of Ateneans as loving, compassionate, and selfless individuals who gain meaning in their purpose and place in God’s plan. It is their personal understanding of the children's personal stories that makes them more connected with the kids as their dreams for a better education may lead them to ponder why God has blessed them with talent, resources, and opportunities to help others. It is through their actions that the children experience God’s love and it is through this love that they blossom. In turn, the tutors experience God’s love through the kids. In Tulong Dunong, there is mutual human development – both can benefit in the process of giving.
Andie
Hi! I’m Alessandra Mari F. del Rosario, but you can call me Andie. I teach Math and I decided to teach this subject because I want to impart the love and appreciation that I have for the subject to help the kids understand there is more value to be learned from the numbers and equations that we solve. I want them to learn the basics and fundamentals of the topics so that they can build a strong foundation for their future. I believe that it is my passion for learning and persistence that has helped me greatly in tutoring, as well as my resilience in the face of adversity. I always try to make the atmosphere light in class because one of the things that I give most importance to is having fun in the process of learning something new.
Yen Hello! I’m Genina Mariene R. Vega, but call me Yen instead. I decided to teach English since I want to serve as a helping hand to the kids in understanding the concepts and lessons in the subject I enjoy the most. I want to be a part of their journey in learning and appreciating English not only to help them easily navigate the subject in the future but to also manifest and teach the values English has for them. Moreover, my determination, creativity, and passion for helping have played a vital role in being a tutor to my TD Kids. These qualities of mine accompanied me in creating fruitful and enjoyable sessions for them to learn. I make sure in our discussions to make the lessons easily digestible for my kids and entertaining by incorporating various activities in between!
Venice A. Milan 12 years old expects to enjoy while learning participative especially in English submits homework
Ryzza Guen B. Guerrero 12 years old attended 1 session
Jhervie Raphael G. Geronimo 11 years old wants to learn a lot of things participative s especially in Math passes assignments
Ralf Gulay 11 years old expects to learn more and have fun attended 2 sessions
Kryztian Reign C. De Castro 11 years old attended 3 sessions attentive and active in discussion
Anklein Joy G. Campos attended 1 session
andie
see The session went really well! It was better than I expected because to be honest, I was really nervous and anxious about the TD program. I’m not exactly the best at handling kids, and a lot of people say that I have an intimidating face and aura, so I was really scared as to what the kids’ impression on me would be. I really wanted them to see me as their friend, and not as their strict tutor so I was beyond happy when they were all super participative. We first shared the objectives of the session just to give the kids a run through of the agenda. Then, Yen and I had two activities prepared for them and it seemed like they enjoyed them! For the “would you rather” ice breaker, the kids were super game to answer and they were even willing to explain their choices. Questions from – “gatas na choco o choco na gatas” to “pansit or spaghetti sa birthday” were asked and this really lightened the mood of the session. Afterwards, we proceeded with the get to know each other with Yen and I starting by stating our names, ages, and expectations for the program, and they were asked to answer the same prompts. Everything went really smoothly, but unfortunately 2 students got disconnected from the call. We were also able to play the game two truths and one lie that allowed us to bond together. They exceeded our expectations because we thought that they would be shy, but surprisingly, they all volunteered to play! We had enough time for the closing remarks and prayer, and overall, the session was really enjoyable. My only hope for the next few sessions is that the kids will be able to turn on their cameras so that we will know what they look like, but I do understand that it’s difficult, considering the different wifi and technical issues we may face.
judge I felt absolutely happy throughout the entire session. Before, I was a bit unsure as to how to go about this because it was scheduled after classes and this week was particularly tough, so I thought that I would be too tired to engage with the kids. However, I was surprised that I felt so excited when they interacted with us and when they were so participative. Whenever we asked questions, they would eagerly reply in the chat box and even share a few things about themselves. With the set-up online, it’s easy to leave your gadget with Google Meet open and proceed to do your own thing, but with these kids, they really listened because they were constantly replying to our prompts. I realized then that this is the very core of who we are; this is what we’ve been taught since we were children – that acts of kindness and service are irreplaceable and always so, so, so fulfilling. In fact, they are more than fulfilling. All those times wherein I read about stories of service for the community led to this moment and there is no experience that is quite like this, which is why I am beyond thankful for this experience. Growing up, the concept of “Finding God in All Things” has always been ingrained in my mind and here, I saw how true that is – how God is present in everyone and that when we do things out of the bigness of our hearts, then we are able to help others see God as well. Through the session that we had, I saw that everyone has a piece of tenderness rooted inside each one of us and that it is manifested in our actions towards the community.
act I am ecstatic for the next TD sessions and I will definitely do my best in order to teach the kids their lessons. I know that teaching is not an easy job; in fact, everyday, I salute teachers for all that they do. I always thank my teachers for doing all that they can to help us learn what we should. While it is a difficult task to prepare learning materials for kids, research about the topics to ensure that what you’re teaching is right, sit in front of your laptop for hours, and speak for 30 minutes straight, I will take the extra mile and continuously strive to become a better tutor to them. Of course, mistakes are inevitable and maybe there will be times wherein misunderstandings will occur because of external factors, but rather than looking at these things in a negative light, I will, instead, take them as lessons because there will always be room for improvement. The previous session has inspired me to maintain my positive attitude because I sincerely believe that if the host/facilitator of the meeting is energetic, then it will set the mood of the entire class. I want this class to not just be a session wherein they will learn about numbers and fractions, but rather, a class in which they know they can have fun. Math is a subject dreaded by many, so I am determined that they will have the best experience. I myself learned to love math only in junior high school as grade school math was a struggle, so I hope that I will be able to impart even just a little bit of that love and appreciation for the subject to them. It is with this that I know God wants me to become not just a person for others, but a person for and with others. I want to be more involved with my community, and what better way to start than now? Teaching younger students is the best first step for me to do this, especially with the resources that I have.
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see For the first session, our main goal was to introduce ourselves and to get to know the TD Kids as well. We were able to achieve this by bonding together and playing an activity. This enabled us to know and be comfortable with each other. Moreover, the session went smoothly since the kids were participative in the activities. My only concerns were they weren't able to open their cameras, which was understandable due to the slow internet connection, and one kid not showing up in the first session. Overall, our first session together was fun, and chill since we go to introduce ourselves and meet the kids.
judge For the longest time, I wanted to do something that would help me give back to my community. Tulong Dunong is the perfect opportunity and avenue for me to do this. I realized how I was once on the same grade level with the kids, and how happy I am to be part of their learning experience. Furthermore, since I don't know who the kids were, I was exhilarated to meet and spend more time with them in the following sessions. Lastly, this session helped me see how God always gives us opportunities where we can be of service to others.
act To make the next session more meaningful, I would implement more engaging activities so the kids will continuously be participative in the discussion. For instance, I will add short games or prompts in between discussions to make sure that they are listening attentively. This will also make learning enjoyable for them since they wouldn't be bored in the tutoring session. Most importantly, for the next session, I think God is inviting me to be a tutor that doesn't only teach my TD Kids, but one who is also willing to listen and learn from them too. He is also asking me to be a diligent tutor to successfully get my message across to my learners to be able to leave an impact on them.
andie
see The session was really great and I was so happy with the outcome of our tutoring today. I could proudly say that this session was successful because my partner and I were able to teach our materials with ease and confidence, and the students were very participative. We started a bit late because the students started entering at around 3:03 PM. We decided to give them a bit of time to settle down and wait for the others, thus we officially started the lecture proper at exactly 3:10 PM. English was taught first by Yen and even from there, I could already see how determined the students were and I was really amazed by that. I was anxious because I thought that they wouldn’t answer our prompts, but for every question that was asked, they were ready with an answer, either by chatting in the chat box or unmuting themselves. Furthermore, during my part (I taught Math), the students were all very tenacious in answering the questions and what I really loved was the fact that they weren’t afraid to make mistakes and ask questions. I particularly liked that about them because it allowed me to further expound on some concepts that were still confusing to them. Overall, they were all really enjoyable to be with and though we don’t really have control over it, I wish that they would be able to turn on their cameras next time for us to get to know each other beyond voice and chat.
judge During the session, I realized that with determination and perseverance, nothing is ever truly impossible. As I’ve mentioned, I really thought that I was unprepared for this TD session because I was so busy with my academics and extracurriculars, but nonetheless, I persisted. I felt really content with my performance, but more than that, I was so happy with how engaging the session was. Not only did these kids learn Math from me, but I also learned something from them. I realized that asking for help is okay because we’re not exactly superhumans, and therefore, there’s nothing wrong if we admit that we’re having a hard time. It is also through this that I saw God because I think that God is present in all things; after all, he is our Creator, but I particularly saw Him in these children with their love for learning to better themselves as students. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you have helped others, even if it’s through the smallest ways, and I know now that small acts of kindness can go a long way – and this is something that I will carry with me until I grow older.
act In the next TD session, I will make sure to prepare a few days beforehand, because even if the session went well today and I only had 2 hours to get ready, I could not say the same for future sessions. I was already very familiar with the lesson that I tackled today, but who knows what will happen in the future? In this case, I will ensure that I know the slides, lesson plan, and exercises by heart so that I won’t panic during the tutoring. After the really great session that we had, I am more than motivated to do better as a tutor and as a friend. I hope that I keep the atmosphere wherein the kids are not shy to ask questions and make clarifications. As a student myself, I know it sometimes gets embarrassing to make clarifications, so I hope that they will feel welcomed all the time. I know that God is asking me to become a tutor that puts Magis in her actions – to give more. I have always thought that Magis is writing 10 sentences when only 5 is asked, but I’ve come to realize that it’s not really like that. Rather, it’s about giving your best and doing all that you can to make a difference within your community and yourself.
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see In the second session of Tulong Dunong, we started tutoring with the TD Kids. For this week, I discussed the topic “Identifying real or make-believe, fact or non-fact images.” First off, I started the discussion with a motivational activity to introduce this week’s topic. Then, I head straight on to discuss the lesson. I made the kids participate in the discussion by letting them read out the content, asking them questions, and many more. After that, I made them answer a few drills to test their knowledge. I ended the lesson by wrapping up what transpired during the session and announcing the reminders for next week’s meeting. I enjoyed teaching the kids, especially because they were participative and attentive throughout the discussion. Moreover, we also got to know each other more and be comfortable through this session.
judge One of the things that I really appreciate about my TD Kids is how attentive and participative they are while I am teaching. Their engagement made me enjoy and strive more in teaching them better and making sure that they understood the lesson. As a student, I hardly understood what teachers felt when their students aren’t participating in the discussion until I was put in their shoes. This made me reflect on myself and encouraged me to be a better student by taking part more during discussions. Moreover, this also helped me realize how good of a learning experience Tulong Dunong is since I get to teach students first-hand. In this session, I saw God through my TD Kids. Their attentiveness made me remember that there are people ready to listen to what I’m going to say and that what I’m doing doesn’t only matter to me, but also to them.
act In the next session, I will continue to make my discussion enjoyable to my kids by making them engage through various activities. I am an avid believer that learning should be fun so I will add more inclusive activities to encourage them to actively participate throughout the discussion. Furthermore, I will also add pair works or games so the kids can learn to work together and be more comfortable in collaborating with each other. This will also help them to bond more, given the limitation set by online learning. Moreover, I think God is inviting me to be a more creative tutor to make sure that learning is enjoyable for my students. He is also encouraging me to be a patient tutor to my kids when I am interacting and talking to them so learning wouldn’t be too hard and taxing for them to manage, given my guidance.
andie
see I’m really amazed by how each session seems better than the last, and I could say that I’m really proud of us for the session that we conducted today. The kids arrived earlier than usual, and I’d like to think that I was more prepared for this tutoring as compared to last week. As usual, Yen and I decided that English would go first so that the kids won’t be drained as English is relatively lighter than Math. When I was the one teaching, I was a bit anxious if the kids would still have the energy to participate, especially since it was getting late, but as always, they surprised me with their willingness to learn. I really appreciated that they were open to trying, making mistakes, and admitting that they found a few concepts confusing. I also think that because of my previous experience, I’ve come to know how to minimize, if not completely get rid of, the dead air in class. Also, whenever there’s a need to shift topics, I’ve also learned how to be better at transitions so that it won’t be too messy for the kids’ understanding. We actually took a group photo at the end of the session and I was glad that I finally saw the kids. My only concern is the absentees, especially the 2 kids who have been absent for consecutive sessions, but overall, it was such a fun and enjoyable experience.
judge This session made me reflect on a lot of things. Perhaps the biggest reflection that I have made is the similarities and differences between my take on online classes and the kids’ take on this, as well as how teachers must feel while teaching. It really struck me that they were so enthusiastic with class and I admired that about them. I hope that they hold on to this joy for learning, even despite the circumstances that we are in because it really is contagious. To be honest, these days, I’ve started dreading school and I don’t think I’ve ever disliked it this much. There’s too many things to do, and often it feels like I’m begging the universe to spare me more seconds so I could finish all my requirements. Seeing how excited the kids were really ignited my love for learning, and I’m really happy that I got to experience this firsthand. Further, since I was the one teaching and facilitating this session, I now understand how teachers must feel when their students participate in class, unmute themselves, ask questions, and turn on their cameras. I truly have the highest respect for teachers because teaching hasn't always been an easy task, but with the setup now, it’s 10 times harder. Truly, teachers are heroes and everyday, they create a difference in a child’s life. In line with this, this is also where I saw God because of how these kids made me realize the small pleasures in life, as well as how big of an impact teachers make in the world. I believe that God made us with the purpose of teaching others, touching their lives, and at the same time, learning from them.
act I could sincerely say that I’ve gained a lot of new insights throughout the TD sessions. I’ve definitely improved since the first session because I could talk to the kids now with ease. Before, I was really scared and even paranoid because I did not know if they would like me or not, but the feeling of fulfillment after a successful tutoring session is unlike any other. I really tried my best in every session and evaluated my performance so that I could be a better facilitator and teacher. I put myself in their shoes, being a student as well, and at the same time, I got inspiration from my teachers as to how I could keep my students engaged. I really wanted them to understand the fundamentals of the lesson because although basic, they are building blocks for their future. I think that God is calling me to become a tutor that exemplifies Cura Personalis. While this may be the end of my TD journey, that doesn’t mean that there’s no way for me to serve my community anymore. As Ateneans, we are poised to adhere to certain expectations that society has set for us, and we sometimes forget that our biggest purpose is to treat others with genuine love and care. I truly hope that I get to have another experience like this again because in a lot of ways, this has helped me become a better person. As Jose Rizal once said, “the youth is the hope of the future.” The fact that I am able to help these children even by just teaching them fractions is a big thing already because this can help them for their future, and in turn, they can contribute to make the world a better place, and I hope to work with them hand in hand to achieve this.
y e n
see In this third session, I discussed the topic “Identifying the values suggested in visual media” for the English subject. Starting with a motivational activity, the kids guessed which pictures don’t belong to the group. These gave them a glimpse of the topic that we tackled right after. Subsequently, I started the discussion of the lesson. The TD Kids were participative and were able to engage in the discussion by reading out the content and answering the questions and prompts I give them. To test their knowledge about the lesson, I made the kids answer a few drills. I concluded the English session by giving a rundown of what we discussed and giving homework assigned for them to do. However, my main concern for this session is half of the kids weren’t able to attend. It is unfortunate since I was excited to see and bond with them today during this tutoring session.
judge Honestly, before going into the tutoring session, I was already feeling tired and drained since my other requirements are already piling up because of the finals week. I thought teaching the kids would take my energy more, but that wasn’t the case. When I was teaching them earlier, I felt a sense of happiness and excitement which surprised me. I realized that teaching them didn’t take my energy, instead, it gave me more energy to be able to tackle and overcome all the things I have on my plate. My kids’ participation and presence gave me a sense of comfort amidst the turbulence I was feeling beforehand. Their enthusiasm to learn inspired me to do the same as well and to remember how fun learning is. Moreover, this session made me see God through my TD Kids. I feel like He sent them to me to comfort, cheer and give me peace in these trying moments.
act To make the next session more fruitful and remarkable for the kids, I will ask them prompts in between the discussion, either related to the lesson or about themselves. Through this, I get to test if they are still attentive to the discussion and more importantly, to get to know them a little bit more. Aside from this, I will manage my time better for the next session since there are instances where I go beyond the 30-minute mark, resulting in a little overtime for the session. By doing this, I get to be warier and vigilant of time since everyone’s time is valuable. Furthermore, in the next session, I think God is asking me to be a thoughtful tutor to my kids so our sessions would bring more meaning and impact on themselves. He is also asking me to be a conscientious tutor to be a better model and inspiration for them.
andie
see This session was a bit rocky at the start, but I’m glad that we were still able to make it successful. I really thought that the previous TD session would be our last already, which is why I panicked when I heard that we would have another TD session today. This week has been grueling and all sorts of exhausting because all of my (oral) Major Assessments were set to happen on Monday and Tuesday, which is why come Wednesday, I was already really tired. I had no energy left, but nonetheless, I still persisted. Fortunately, the materials that I was going to teach were the ones that I made so I was already familiar with everything. During the session, only three kids attended and they were the same ones from the previous sessions. Jhervie, Venice, and Kryztian were the ones who were consistent from day one. I really wished that the others could attend as well, but I do understand that not everyone is on the same boat and they might have other things on their plate. In this session, I decided to teach first and I was really happy that the kids were very participative. I was also pleasantly surprised that they still remember the lesson from last week clearly because both last week and this week’s lessons were related to each other. Their active participation goes to show that they really listened and that meant a lot to me. All in all, despite it being a challenging day for me, seeing how enthusiastic the kids were really brightened my day and made me feel so fulfilled.
judge Since this was a particularly difficult week for me, I realized that an hour could make all the difference in the world. I was unsure whether I could top my tutoring last week because that was really my favorite session, but I’m glad that I was still given this opportunity because I was able to better myself. I was surprised that in that 30 minutes when I was teaching, I was actually doing something good, despite how small this act was. In those 30 minutes, I was able to teach the students division of fractions. In those 30 minutes, I was able to learn and discover more about the world. Perhaps one of the most important discoveries that I have made in TD is that foundations are the most important thing in the world – not just in academics, but also in terms of relationships with others and even yourself. How will we be able to do or build something grand if we do not understand the basics? This is why I really made sure that the kids understood everything before even proceeding to the harder parts of the lesson – it was a gradual build up for them and it did not leave room for the kids feeling overwhelmed. I felt really fulfilled because they really showed that they understood the lesson and even if it’s just something like fractions, I was still able to help them understand it. It is a known fact that everyone wants to achieve success because why would we deliberately choose failure, right? We all have our own definitions for success… and what is success for me? Success is when I know I have made a difference in this world. I believe that this is also where God has made Himself present once more – in the acts that we do for our community that will leave an impact on the lives that we have touched. In this case, I know that it is our TD kids and I could not be happier.
act Since this is the last TD session, I could not help but feel sad because of how short our time together was. However, I learned a lot of things that I know will last me a lifetime. I could really say that TD is one of the highlights of my grade 11 life because it was not just one meeting – there were multiple events that led to this – orientations, consultations, readings, preparations – and thus, it is a continuous learning experience. Every week, there is something new that I could learn and it never ceases to amaze me. I am so proud of the progress that I have made with my TD kids and more than anything, I am beaming with happiness because of how well they now understand the lessons. I know from past sessions that God is calling me to become a tutor that embodies the spirit of a true Atenean – one who is not a servant of leadership, but rather, a leader in service. Teaching is something that I find to be one of the most admirable things in the world because you are molding a kid and changing their lives with the things that you do and the words that you say. Even if it’s something as short as what we had, I am sure that something beautiful was made there. It might have been in the way that I was able to connect with them, hence making them confident to voice out their concerns, or the way I was able to help them understand Math – but either way, it’s something that I hope to continue in the future. I know that this will not be the last time that I’ll teach because there are many more opportunities for me to do so. In those moments, I hope that I will exemplify the values that I have gained from this experience, as well as continue to learn more in order to always show the best version of myself.
y e n
see I personally thought that our previous session is the last session for Tulong Dunong since it is our finals week. I was surprised when we heard the news about the session this week. I had mixed feelings at first because I was already exhausted with the finals week, but I also thought that at least I’ll be able to see the kids again and bond with them. Fortunately, the lesson that I discussed was the one that I prepared so I didn’t worry much about it. I discussed “Detecting biases and propaganda devices used by speakers.” The session was fun and engaging thanks to my kids who are very active and attentive to the discussion. Despite my worries, the session went smoothly and I was able to wrap it up on a good note. However, I’m kind of sad since I wasn’t able to see nor say goodbye to the other kids who rarely attend Tulong Dunong. Overall, I’m glad that this session went well since we got to bid farewell, and thank our kids for joining this ride with us.
judge Since I was already burned out before this week’s session, I thought it would add up and make me more worn out. However, when I saw my kids and started teaching them I felt a sense of relief and comfort from them. This was the breather that I needed this week. One hour of Tulong Dunong forced me to not stress over finals week, which I really appreciate. It took all my worries away and let me focus on something instead of the pile of homework that I have to do. Furthermore, I realized that I already got attached to my kids even though we only spent a few weeks together. I felt a sense of sadness when I was saying goodbye to them. I hope that throughout our sessions, I was able to leave a mark on their lives and still remember me. Moreover, in this session, I realized that amidst our challenging moments, God is always there for us by surrounding us with people to lift and cheer us up.
act Thinking how this is the last Tulong Dunong session really bums me out. I wish we got more time to spend with our kids to learn together, make memories, and bond as well. This whole experience was full of lessons that I know I will carry in my life. I only didn’t help my kids learn, but I also learned a lot from them, which I think is what makes this experience special. I will engrave on my mind and heart the lessons that I’ve learned on this program so that whenever I got the opportunity to teach again, I’ll be able to use this wisdom to be a better tutor. Overall, I think God is asking me to be a tutor that sets a good example for my kids. That they may see His love and care for them through my actions and dedications to teach them. Furthermore, God is asking me to be a tutor who works hard and goes out of my way to use the resources that I have to pay forward and bless others as well. Through this, not only do I get to embody Him but also spread His message to others.
Dear Future Tutors, You are about to embark on a journey that is filled with lessons, and trust us when we say that this is going to be one of the best experiences in your life. You will meet new people, connect with them, and create new friendships. We’re sure that you’ve long anticipated this program. Ever since we first made our lesson plans, putting what we’ve prepared into action and actually saying out loud the words that we wrote seem daunting. The many what ifs that consume us—what if I won’t be able to teach well? What if the kids won’t like me? What if they won’t participate?—are normal because this is something that we’re unfamiliar with. But in TD, you will be able to experience love at its fullest form. Love is more than just what we read and write stories about; it is service for the community and the ability to touch the lives of others. We hope that you learn to appreciate every session. Time is short and there will be days when you would want to skip TD because of the mountain of academic work that you have to finish, but you would not believe how much of a difference one hour could make. In that one hour, you will be able to teach kids their lessons and discover more about yourself as a student and as a person, too. It’s not going to be easy of course—you will encounter different challenges, but it’s all going to be worth it. Remember that in TD, just because we are the tutors does not mean that we won’t learn anymore. Be open to learning! Leave room in your life for improvement and don’t pressure yourself to become the perfect tutor in the first session. However, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t study and prepare the materials beforehand, but throughout the program, we have seen ourselves grow alongside the kids. We wish the same for you. Tulong Dunong is an avenue for growth, change, and most importantly, love. Enjoy this experience because this is truly one of a kind! Love, Andie & Yen of 11 - Perez
o m i n o r e G e i v r by Jhe
by Jhervie Geroni mo by Jhervie Geronimo
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