Demonstrating their commitment to community service and cultural preservation, the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Education (CLASE) at the University of San Agustin organized a one-day outreach program for the Aeta community in Camanggahan, Guimbal, Iloilo. The initiative, involving faculty from different programs and units, aimed to provide holistic education and support across various age groups within the community.
The outreach program featured tailored activities for different segments of the community, including children of the Igmedio Drapiza IP Elementary School. Faculty members from Psychology, Library Science, Languages, Humanities and Literature, Education, Communication, Chemistry, Social Sciences, Political Science, Foreign Service, Philosophy, Biology, Physical Education and Math departments led the activities conducted 13 August 2024, ensuring a well-rounded and impactful experience.
For the Igmedio Drapiza IP Elementary School pupils, a social media etiquette workshop was conducted by the AB Communication program. As digital access becomes increasingly available, it is crucial for young people to understand how to navigate social media responsibly. The session covered topics such as privacy, respectful communication, and the potential risks of online interactions.A session on sports, teaching the pupils the basics of volleyball, was conducted by the Physical Education Department. They also donated sports equipment to the students. Meanwhile, Education, Languages, Literature and Humanities and the Library and Information Science faculty discussed proper handwashing and hygiene, storytelling and good nutrition for younger pupils of the same school.
On the other hand, faculty from the Social Sciences Unit, Philosophy Political Science, and Foreign Service departments facilitated workshops and a focus group discussion for mothers and fathers on identifying and addressing community issues and lobbying the local government unit concerned. The discussion focused on the legal and cultural aspects of ancestral land ownership and use, as it relates to its preservation for future generations.
The Chemistry and Biology Departments, meanwhile, conducted a critical workshop on chemical handling and safety to the members of the community engaged in farming and other manual labor. The session emphasized the importance of understanding the safe use and disposal of chemicals to protecting their health and the environment.
The outreach program was designed to be both educational and empowering, addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by the Aeta community.
“It always feels refreshing to go to the barrio, breathe fresh air, cross the river but most importantly seeing the beaming smiles of the IP members keep us all motivated to share and give more of what we have – knowledge and skills…We’ve found family in them. The Augustinian spirit lives on!” Professor Rhane Magpantay, a faculty of CLASE, said of the experience.
“We did interviews for the impact study to validate earlier responses…The residents of the IP community I conversed with expressed their gratitude for our partnership, not for the material things we provide, but for the way our interaction with them has empowered them to become more confident and ambitious individuals. They feel inspired to achieve more because we have faith in their abilities to succeed on their own,” Professor Ma. Cristy Daguay, Social Science faculty and current director of the Social Advocacy and Community Engagement Office (SACEO) said. “We need to do more them, though, especially since the top three identifies issues are water, land (they want to own one), and a permanent means of livelihood. Some would also say safer and easier access to the town,” she continued. The SACEO and CLASE offices also donated supplies and food packs for the Aeta community.
This outreach program is part of an ongoing partnership among the University of San Agustin, Department of Education through Camangahan Elementary School and Barangay Camanggahan. The College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education, headed by its dean, Dr. Nenelyn de la Fuente, is committed to providing continued support through follow-up activities, resources, and mentorship to ensure that the knowledge shared during the outreach is effectively applied and sustained – MRB
