THIS IS WHAT INSPIRES ME
Organizations and Charitable Acts: The Collaboration between the following organizations were completed under the supervision of the ISM iCare Experience :- Project Bantu (https://projectbantu.org.ph/): Grade 10 High school students from ISM worked with the kids of project Bantu. The service project consisted of two key components: improving their capoeira studio in Makati, Metro Manila through basic construction and artwork- and inviting them to the ISM campus to enjoy our facilities and create life-long bonds with the kids.
- Kalawaan Elementary School (https://www.facebook.com/kalawaanes136727/): Grade 11 ICare is an opportunity for ISM high school students to become more in touch with our host country through acts of service to the community. At the Kalawaan ES site, we aim to accomplish many tasks such as: upgrade their school library, form bonds with the students, teach the students, and decorate their school grounds with a vertical garden and mural.
- Child Hope (https://childhope.org.ph/): Grade 12 During my work with Child Hope, we are committing ourselves to working with and curating activities for children from the Child Hope NGO. The following excerpt from their website provides further insight on the advocacy: Help the street children. Be their hope. Metro Manila is home to an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 children who live and work on the streets. As an NGO committed to being a beacon of hope for these street children, we aim to transform their lives and make a lasting impact. Join our mission to empower these children through sustainable education, healthcare, and mental support initiatives. With your help, we can create a healthier, more nurturing environment where they feel loved and supported.
The Collaboration between the following organizations under the supervision of the ISM Visual Arts Club:
- Inclusion Revolution: Neurodiversity Art Show: Grade 11 The neurodiversity art show is a showcase of work made by local Filipino artists who are neurodiverse. This showcase include the works of the very talented Vico who we fortunately got to meet at the exhibition.
- KASAMA X VAC: Grade 11 At this Saturday service, the council of VAC was requested to attend an event hosted by Kasama club to teach the kids of staff at our school how to draw and paint. We encouraged creativity by letting them make a collaborative mural-like piece on a large sheet of paper. During this activity we allowed them to use an assortment of mixed media such as collage making and finger painting.
- Autism Hearts Foundation (https://autismheartsfoundation.org/): Grade 11, 12 Given the amount of service experience garnered at ISM, at the end of my Junior year I decided I was ready for a solo service expedition. I decided to take my first steps in the world of NGOs with the Autism Hearts Foundation founded by Dr. Erlinda Borromeo. The foundation serves as a platform and voice for children and young adults with autism. As of August 2024, I have been appointed as youth advocate and media coordinator of the Philippine branch. I had met personally with the owner both online and in-person to communicate my ideas and plans for the organization. To provide a sample of the inspirational work that goes on within the organization, two quotes from their website:
“As individuals struggle with the confusion and disorder that marks a world within the spectrum, nothing replaces the loving guidance of one’s own parents, and for the luckier ones – the steady presence of grandparents. As a grandmother of a child with autism, our family was no stranger to the pain and disillusionment that individuals go through upon discovering that a loved one with ASD will struggle with lifelong challenges including communication, and social skills among others. Determined to help my own family, and others like ours, Autism Hearts’ journey began in the Philippines and led us to the United States, where we continued to search for information, programs, therapies, and advocacy.”
“Our mission is to maximize the potential of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders to learn, develop, function independently, and participate in the full range of social and cultural activities for an improved quality of life.”
Activities of the organisation include:
- Weekly art therapy session which I personally take part in through teaching
- Taking autistic delegates to the United Nations to take part in discussion
- The creation of art for sale in the Philippines which I take part in as both a media director for advertisement and public relations officer to communicate with the museum our organisation is collaborating with (https://www.filipinoart.ph/newsroom/directory/details/fundacion-sanso/)
- Christmas tree lighting at Baguio Country Club which I have been invited to attend on November 2024; this event serves to showcase the wonderful art the artists of the foundation have created
- Successfully advocating for autistic young adults to be employed at different institutions
