The Social Awareness and Community Service Involvement (SACSI), social action center of Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) had been for years implementing social development programs that links the teachings of the institution to outside communities and integrates relevant and pressing social issues of the society in various forms among students, faculty, and employers to communities in Zamboanga City.
One of the significant programs of the office entails development and formations to student volunteers that carries out various advocacies to include peace and development, social relevance and societal divides from battling against corruption, environmental concerns and many others. It can be seen in the ever-growing batches of its volunteer Program.
Since its creation, SACSI had operated its volunteer program from then Youth Formation and Development Program (YFDP) to Volunteer Program (VP) from recent years. Through the Leadership of the staff and program officers that links the YFDP and VP to other components like environment, gender, peace, social advocacy and many others.
Last July 30-31, 2010, SACSI gave a Basic Orientation Seminar (BOS) for the 26th Batch of its VP Component at Ecozone, San Ramon, Zamboanga City. The BOS was geared towards orienting the new set of volunteers who will be journeying with the various principles and advocacies of the office for the next four to five years of stay within the ADZU. It was also an avenue for the volunteers to understand better the life of being a volunteer grounded on the foundations and pillars of principles that makes the life of being a SACSI Volunteer more meaningful.
A large number of brave and kindred souls declared personal transformation to social transformation as new set of volunteers who actively attended the said Orientation Seminar. According to VP Officer Mark Allan Palanca, “the group is composed of two volunteer programs namely VP and El Fuente volunteers under the Advocacy component”. The volunteers “shared a common vision to link the programs of SACSI to other communities” he further added.
SACSI Alumni graced the occasion and welcomed the new volunteers to the family of brave hearts who want to touch lives. As a fellow, it had been four long years after graduating the SACI Volunteer life at ADZU. Indeed, it was a privilege to share among them what were some of my successful stories and how it is to be a volunteer of SACSI. I remembered the memories of the past which made me a better person as of the moment. It was because of my significant and very important memories and journeys which gave me experiences worth treasuring.
SACSI Director Celyn Aron-Veralo presented a simple orientation of SACSI’s journey since its creation before they were formally introduced into the life of being an effective volunteer though the Ateneo Education System and its fundamental thrust that have given the office its mandate to link the various witnesses of societies problems and inspirations.
It is indeed a wonderful journey to be a volunteer where experiences could matter to the effectiveness of sharing our own leadership to others. The spirit of volunteerism still continues. Up to the present, SACSI’s legacy still upholds to the best of student formation and development. The spirit of volunteerism in an Atenean perspective would always integrate Animo, Magis and Cura Personalis for peace and development.
Through the years, SACSI will play important role in our continuous inspiration for social transformation. The volunteers expressed greater commitments for social transformation grounded on the basic principles of authentic humanism, active non-violence, and simplicity of lifestyle, Interreligious and intercultural dialogue and faith that does justice. Congratulations to the SACSI family.
