The Ateneo de Zamboanga
University, responsive to the needs of the community, combines efforts and
advocacy to help the Marawi Seige victims and those working for peace in
Marawi.
As of present, monetary assistance and in-kind
donations have been forwarded to Marawi through AdZU’s sister school Xavier
University in Cagayan de Oro, with which AdZU is in partnership for the effort
to help Marawi.
Shareen Hayudini, SACSI’s
advocacy program officer says, “We have relief operations but at the same
time, we have to inform the students on the history of the conflict, why this
is happening, and who are the people involved.” The Social Awareness and
Community Service Involvement Office is the office within the university that
serves as the link between the school and the outside communities to complement
theories learned in the classroom with the actual realities of life.
In recent events, the Ateneo BluBikers in partnership with the
Philippine Air Force (PAF) 3rd Tactical Operations Wing held the “ZAM-AYUDA
MARAWI: Bike for a Cause” on July 30, 2017. The Bike for a cause intends to
raise funds to support the wounded soldiers of the Marawi Crisis. The event
kicked off at 6:00am with a prayer led by Fr Salvador Wee SJ, adviser to the Ateneo BluBikers, followed by the route briefing by Rommel Cuaresma. Peace Advocacy Officer Ruth Guerrero gave the objectives and rationale of the activity. Ateneo faculty and staff, students,
participants from PAF, and organizations like H2O, ZAFCO, Ipil Cycling
Enthusiast (ICE) joined in the activity. The event also included a raffle event
for the participants.
Meanwhile, the Grade School Unit, took time-out from their usual academic tasks to
organize #ShoeboxesofLove, a love drive intended to bring joy to government
forces deployed in Marawi City. MSG Abraham M Bejarin PN (M) received the #ShoeboxesofLove in behalf of
the forces on the ground. In a brief statement, Bejarin expressed his utmost
gratitude for the act of generosity and much-needed prayers from the Ateneo
Grade School. He further states that this would boost the morale of every
soldier on the ground, thus, motivating them to give their best in restoring peace
in the conflict area. The shoeboxes will be housed by the First Marine
Battalion Landing Team 11 and will be sent to the First Marine Brigade based in
Iligan City who will distribute the shoeboxes to the government forces in the
ground.
On the other hand, the College
Admissions and Aid Office, spearheaded the #oplanmalasaKIT in partnership with
the Senior High School. Around 500 Kits containing towels, socks, toiletries,
and other personal items intended for the soldiers in Marawi were turned over
to 1LT Gary Nebres and SSGT Erasquin CMO Officer. Conrado Balatbat, College
Admissions and Aid Director expresses gratitude to the college and senior high
school students, especially the scholars, for the support and enthusiasm
“to give and not to count the cost.”
In
a separate campaign, the Ateneo Centennial Scholars (ACES), recognizing that the
on-going crisis in Marawi creates wounds to children that are far deeper than
the physical deterioration of the city, partners with the Philippine National
Police Academy (PNPA)- Marangal 2005 for the “PapaBear Project”—an initiative
of collecting stuffed toys to share happiness and restore the smiles of the kids
of Marawi. Drop boxes are located at the College Admissions and Aid Office and
other areas inside the Salvador Campus in La Purisima.
