EDITORIAL ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPEMNT

- Perception on Community Development- (TYPE: EDITORIAL ON

INTERPRETATION)

“Community development is spending your valuable time

with people who you would want to progress with and as a
result, developing their skills as well as improving your
relation and communication with them. This also increases
a bonding relationship with others who would willingly do
the same for those who are in need of assistance.” –
(Duffel, 2019)
The ComDev (community development) displays people
who have shown compassion and comfort to others who
are in a desperate plea from the dangers that life had
shown them. With the help from these people who thrive
for a better future for everyone, their mission is to
revolutionize the old “out reach program” to a new program
that improves the status of the people they are aiding.
In amidst of all of this, the people -subjects of this
community development- also get to discover fascinating
things among the many basic subjects we students
regularly study. It is a thing that most students take for
granted and is greatly unappreciated. To that idea, this
program called “community development” was created. It
was once called an “outreach program” but people realized
that it was more than that. Instead of just meeting them
once and never coming to visit them again, they created a
brand new plan that will ensure a brighter future for those
who are less fortunate. They would regularly check up on
them and their condition while ensuring that they would
strive better for themselves on their own. It was like a
mother bird taking care of her baby until he could fly on his
own. For me, I have also experienced a similar feeling of
wanting to help a person out while carving them out to be
an exceptional person in the process.
After this had become official and was changed to a better
program, people have been launching these activities to
spread a better environment and life for everyone. All help
is appreciated and will be taken in consideration as it is
well cherished in the community. This type of attitude is
what is deeply needed in our current society.
I wanted to spread this because as a Thomasian it is tied to
our religion and our beliefs. We are Christians that are
faithful to our religion and would do anything for it as long
as it is good and in the name of the Lord our God. These
acts of kindness to aid other people during our own journey
reminds me of our saints that sacrificed themselves for the
benefit of other people. They would assist those that are
misguided and blinded by their sins. These saints will also
willingly do these little things that would bring a small
smile to someone’s face and unknowingly bringing a little
grin to their faces as well. The act of abetting someone
who truly appreciates that act of kindness- is just
heartwarming.
As Thomasians and loyal servants to the Christian
community, we must do the same. We must be an
example to others who are deluded and misfortunate so
that they may be able to help one another as well. In doing
so, I can’t help but see how community development runs
deep within the foundation of our beliefs and our religion.
I have joined and volunteered in many outreach programs
but I have only participated in two community development
programs. Among the experiences I’ve had in participating
in outreach programs, I could say that I was left
unsatisfied. Feeling that I had not done enough for the kids
I was aiding in that program. So getting to experience one
community development so far- was a change of pace and
a galvanizing encounter. We (the group I was with during
the time I participated in the community development
project) had done more than I could ever with the past
outreach programs meaning that this was more effective
and efficient.
I really do recommend this to everyone as this will leave
you with a full heart knowing that you have just changed
someone’s life by doing some simple things that most of
us can but often refuse to do. It may be a long quest until
you see the result but the progress and the journey matters
as well. You see them grow and evolve into a better person
compared to before, and to that I say that this is more
fruitful as to the previous project. It is a more productive
plan than got beneficial results for all.
In the words of Lyzander Lecxon Palma -a student from the
class of saint Barbara who had just recently experienced a
community development program - “the old outreach
program that we used to know has evolved into a better
version of itself one that has started to build a nurtured
and wholesome community”. Another student from the
same class, Sarah Quinol added, “this program enhances
the abilities and skills that you have already acquired in
school”. Lastly an officer from the class of saint Barbara
called Andrea Maglunob stated, “this creates better
interactions and socializations between two parties as this
also develops their moral values through those meetings”.
I believe that this is the truth behind the “Community
Development” and how much of an impact it makes on
multiple people’s lives as soon as this had begun and been
renewed. With all the effort and time we had allotted for
this project- now, I want you to think about this: “is all of
this worth it?”