The UP Psychology Society (UP PsychSoc) has long been a beacon of hope and support for children with special educational needs. Their project, InDAK, has become a flagship initiative, emphasizing the importance of accessible and relevant special education and mental health wellness services. With their partnership dating back to 2008, UP PsychSoc has been actively involved with Batino Elementary School, a center dedicated to children with special educational needs. This article delves into the motivations, challenges, and successes of the InDAK project, based on an interview with Joaquin Guevara, a dedicated member of UP PsychSoc. The Genesis of InDAK UP PsychSoc’s partnership with Batino Elementary School began in 2008, with a shared goal of advancing psychology through self-expression and vocation. Initially, the organization focused on sensory activities such as texture and scent-based sessions to assist students with visual impairments and learning disabilities. Over time, the objectives evolved to include supplementary activities that complement classroom learnings, helping children to socialize and energize themselves such as arts, puppeteering, painting, singing, and theater, alongside sports and dancing to hone fine motor skills and spatial awareness. Overcoming Challenges Transitioning to a predominantly face-to-face setup in the academic year 2023-2024 posed several challenges. The InDAK team dedicated the initial months to establishing logistical systems and partnership communications. With the groundwork laid by the previous year’s committee and the support from the UP NSTP-NSRC Office, the organization navigated budget constraints and logistical hurdles successfully. Despite scheduling conflicts due to academic calendar mismatches, transport strikes, and national holidays, the team focused on enhancing session quality through internal production works, increasing volunteer turnout, and setting engaging activities. Participation and Engagement The active participation of students and their families has been a cornerstone of InDAK’s success. Students eagerly engaged in activities, particularly those related to art and dancing. Guardians played a crucial role in behavioral management and interaction, working closely with volunteers to ensure children’s engagement. This collaboration fostered bonding between parents and children, enhancing the overall impact of the sessions. Practical and Recreational Activities In the current academic year, InDAK activities included beaded bracelet making and mural creation. […]
Yearly Archives: 2024
Bridging Gaps in Education The “Batang KNL” project was developed by UP Red Cross Youth in collaboration with the Krus Na Ligas (KNL) Association for Hope and Unity and Lakas ng Nagkakaisang Kababaihan sa Barangay UP Campus. Derick Cabotage, External Vice President of UP Red Cross Youth, shared that one day, a member who had been working with the KNL mothers’ association reached out asking if they would consider helping with their community learning hub. Despite the lack of formal training or qualifications to teach at the time, the team decided to visit the Learning Hub to see what they could do. They met Tita Wilma, Tita Maricris, Teacher Joshua, and some of the kids in the community and decided to move forward with the project. Following consultations with everyone in the organization, the initiative gained momentum, and their story with the Learning Hub began to unfold. This strategic partnership was crucial in identifying the needs of the community and ensuring that the project was tailored to address them effectively. A Community-Centric Approach At its core, “Batang KNL” aimed to support grade school children who needed extra lessons and who were eager to learn new skills outside their regular school curriculum. Recognizing the diverse educational needs of children in Krus Na Ligas, the project created a safe and nurturing environment at the Krus Na Ligas Community Learning Hub, where children could engage in various learning activities. Innovative Learning Strategies The project adopted a holistic approach to education, incorporating academic support with fun-filled activities. Volunteers from the UP Red Cross Youth, along with members of their partner organizations, dedicated their time and effort to offer a wide range of activities. These included: Challenges Encountered Throughout their 8 month-long journey, the learning hub faced numerous challenges. One of the most frequent issues was coordinating schedules and finding volunteer teachers each week. Sometimes, recruiting volunteers was easy but other times it was a struggle. The team often had to support each other and, although their work was incredibly fulfilling, it was also tiring at times. Due to difficulties in finding available members to […]
Noong ika-4 ng Mayo 2024, ginanap ang ika-18 na Gandingan Awards sa Charles Fuller Baker Memorial Hall, UP Los Baños, Laguna. Sa nasabing pagtitipon, muling iginawad sa Serbisyong Tatak UP ang titulong “Most Development Oriented AM Program” para sa natatangi nitong kontribusyon sa lipunan. Noong nakaraang taon, nakamit ng Serbisyong Tatak UP ang naturang parangal dahil sa episode na pinamagatang “Kagawasan at Kalinaw: Plight of the Lumad” na angkop sa temang “Kabuhayan, Buhay ng Bayan”. Samantala ngayong taon, nagwagi ang entry na “Framework sa Pakikipagtulungan sa mga Komunidad: Oh My Gulay sa CHK NSTP-CWTS Ecogarden”, dahil tinatanghal nito ang mga pagsisikap ng mga mag-aaral mula sa CHK NSTP-CWTS na magkaroon ng isang matatag na eco garden sa kampus na suhay sa temang “Agrikultura: Mga Kwento ng Hamon at Pag-asa” na naglalayong magbigay ng pagpupugay sa agrikultural na sektor sa bansa. Kabilang din sa nominado para sa kategoryang “Most Development – Oriented Youth Program” ang STUP episode na pinamagatang, “Gurong Pahinungod” at ang “Kahampatan: Intervention Ethical Framework in Working with Communities” para naman sa kategoryang “Most Development – Oriented Educational Program”. Nagpapasalamat ang tanggapan ng NSTP Diliman sa Gandingan Awards sa patuloy nitong pagkilala sa programa at sa DZUP na siyang pangunahing katuwang ng tanggapan sa pagtataguyod ng programa. Higit sa lahat, nagpapasalamat din ang tanggapan sa mga nagbahagi ng kanilang kaalaman sa bawat diskusyon, mga naging tagapag-padaloy ng usapan, at mga naging tagapagtangkilik para sa kanilang walang sawang pakikinig sa programa. Ang pagpaparangal ng Gandingan Awards sa mga tampok na episodes ng Serbisyong Tatak UP ay nagsisilbing hamon at inspirasyon sa amin upang patuloy na magbigay ng tapat at masikhay na paglilingkod sa bayan! #TatakUPDNSTP #SerbisyongTatakUP #NSTP By: Marielle M. Lagulay and Latrell M. Felix
The Sanay Agap Iglap, coordinated by various offices including the NSTP Diliman Office, National Service Reserve Corps UPD, UP Resilience Institute, UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, UP Diliman Public Safety and Security Office, and Barangay U.P. Campus- Quezon City, is a 3-day training program designed to enhance community readiness and resilience in the face of disasters. The training, aimed at a cohort of 30-40 participants comprising NSRC reservists, NSTP students, UP Diliman staff, and members of the UP Campus community, incorporates simulation exercises, fieldwork, community engagement, interviews, and structured learning activities. During the Day 1 of Sanay Agap Iglap’s pilot implementation, Dr. Glecy Atienza led participants through physical activities to cultivate an alert mindset, followed by presentations from Ramon Caballero and Jose Abraham Ongkiko of UPRI, focusing on map reading and hazard awareness respectively. Jerzyne Anne Corpuz, also from UPRI, then provided guidance on conducting ocular inspections in participants’ communities. There were a total of 45 participants and 20 volunteers on the first day. Day 2 featured a range of experiences, including a tango rescue exercise led by Dr. Albert Dimarucut, role plays, and discussions on disaster preparedness facilitated by Dr. Glecy Atienza, and basic first-aid training covering burns, fractures, unconsciousness, and managing panicking individuals, led by Dr. Alfred Tengonciang. There were a total of 28 participants and 23 volunteers on the second day. On Day 3, participants engaged in a simultaneous drill at Daan Tubo and Village C of Barangay UP Campus, Quezon City, followed by a comprehensive assessment of the drill proceedings. There were a total of 25 participants and 13 volunteers on the third day. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Sanay Agap Iglap! Exciting updates coming your way soon. By: Ameda M. Tomie
On February 12, 2024, the NSTP Council convened for its inaugural meeting of the year. The session commenced with a comprehensive review of the NSTP Report for the academic year 2022-2023, providing a valuable reflection on past initiatives and accomplishments. Delving into the present academic year, the Council meticulously evaluated the delivery of the Tatak UP D Common Module during the first semester. The meeting continued with focused discussions addressing specific concerns related to both NSTP and the National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC). In addition to these, the Council also dedicated time to elaborate on guidelines for the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) 2 Delivery. This encompassed detailed considerations for the field activities and community engagements of the students, underlining the importance of ensuring an ethical and enriching experience for all participants. Lastly, the Council deliberated on forthcoming projects slated for execution within the current year, emphasizing a commitment to impactful community engagement and service. By: Marielle M. Lagulay