Ateneo launches ADZU
RAP
Since its foundation, the Ateneo de
Zamboanga University has been involved in social development efforts as leader
partner to various organizations who share the vision of transforming
communities. Recently, it has been active in organizing disaster-response
activities that involve organizing networks of donors and delivering relief
goods to disaster-stricken communities.
The Ateneo provides assistance
during calamities mainly through relief operations. In recent past, this was
exemplified during the 2007 Camino Nuevo fire incident when the university
opened its doors to the fire victims and served as their home for a period of
time. The collection and distribution of relief goods to victims of man-made
and natural disasters in the Zamboanga Peninsula area, the conduct of research
to help solve social inequities, and the training programs that provide
community members with opportunities for growth are but other manifestations of
this commitment to be of service to society.
On the fateful day of September 9,
2013, when Zamboanga City lay in a state of siege that displaced thousands of
Zamboangueños, Ateneo rose to the challenge by organizing relief efforts,
psycho-social interventions, medical services, volunteer networks, and
administrative assistance to the city government. The low pressure area that
brought rain and caused flooding only added to the suffering of the displaced
and the challenge for responders to remain committed to service. It has been a
year yet many are still displaced. The university, along with its partners,
continues to help contribute to the goal of building back the city.
Looking to the future, the Ateneo de Zamboanga University
desires to help deliver long-term interventions that will bring sustainable
transformation to the communities of the crisis survivors. In connection to
this, the university launched the Ateneo Recovery and Assistance Program (ADZU
RAP) on September 8, 2014 at 9:00 in the morning at the Jose Maria Rosauro
Building, Salvador Campus.
The ADZU RAP seeks to be a concerted
effort among the academic units, social development council, student body, and
other potential CSO partners to provide a holistic intervention to identified
communities in transitory sites. This requires research to allow the ADZU RAP
core team to attain a deeper understanding of the nature and needs of the
community so that appropriate responses may be strategized.
During the program, the Ateneo
community remembered the experience of the siege but focused more on the
efforts at healing from the pain caused by the violence. Stories of healing
were also shared by members of the Ateneo community.
The university has also lined up a
series of activities for the whole month of September following the theme: Pag-alala.
Paghilom. Pagbangon.
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