Alamin ang kuwento sa likod ng youth volunteer group na 'Sikat Aurora'

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Transcript

00:00Now, let's take a look at the story of a teacher and founder of a youth volunteer group.

00:05Let's watch this.

00:09It is true that you will go far if you love what you do.

00:13Just like the story of Reynald J. Belen, or RJ,

00:17who was a child when he dreamed of becoming a teacher.

00:20His love for education pushed him to become a successful teacher

00:25and finish his master's degree in education with first-class honors at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

00:32This also paved the way for him to form a non-profit organization called Sikat Aurora.

00:38Sikat Aurora is a youth-led and volunteer-run organization that started in August 2021.

00:45Its goal is to provide free after-school programs to children

00:49so that they can further improve their reading and writing skills.

00:53Some of their programs include Abot Ko Ang Libro,

00:56the Batang Kali Program,

00:58Lakbay Kwentuhan Caravan,

01:00and many more.

01:01They also run donation drives.

01:04At present, they have more than 800 children to help,

01:08including those who grew up in Sikat Siguran Aurora.

01:12RJ's help in this mission will reach more than 200 youth volunteers.

01:17That's how far simple dreams and RJ's love for education and youth have come.

01:26And now, we will be joined live via Zoom by RJ Belen, the founder of Sikat Aurora.

01:33RJ, good morning.

01:36Hello, good morning, Ms. Diana.

01:38Good morning to everyone who is watching and listening to us.

01:43A youthful morning.

01:45First of all, congratulations, RJ.

01:47How does it feel to graduate from the prestigious University of Melbourne in Australia?

01:53And I wonder why you chose to study Master of Education in Equity, Diversity, and Social Change, RJ?

02:00Yes, thank you very much.

02:02Of course, it feels great to know that I was able to finish my Master's degree at the University of Melbourne.

02:08I consider this an honor and a great privilege.

02:13I was able to use this privilege to provide solutions to the challenges that our society is facing,

02:20especially in the field of education, human rights, and any other aspects of my expertise.

02:26I chose Master of Education because when I was young, I was eager to have a degree in education.

02:32I just lacked the courage to shift from public administration to education.

02:38So, I made it a point that after I finish my Master's, if ever, I will choose education

02:45because it is aligned with what I am doing at Sikat Aurora and the non-profit organization that I established here in our province.

02:53Who was your inspiration for your dream of becoming a teacher, RJ?

02:59There are so many, but I think if I were to go back to the people who inspired me to become a teacher,

03:05it would be my aunts.

03:07I grew up in a family of teachers.

03:09My father and mother were not teachers, but my aunts, who are usually with us at home, were teachers.

03:16So, growing up, I grew up seeing them breaking class records, going to school, and teaching.

03:22So, as I grew up, that is also what I wanted to do.

03:25When I was a kid, I would always invite my friends over to our house to play teacher-teacher.

03:31I also have my own class record.

03:33So, that is how my childhood was.

03:35That is the context that I am moving in.

03:37I believe that our dreams as kids, even now that we are old, are anchored in the context that we are moving in.

03:45But one person who really inspired me to continue being a teacher is Teacher Sabrina Ongkiko.

03:51I can relate to her story.

03:54She is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University.

03:56She should have studied medicine, but she chose to be a public school teacher in Quezon City.

04:01So, I saw myself in her in a way.

04:04Ever since, I really wanted to be a teacher.

04:06So, while I was growing up, whenever I was asked what I wanted to be,

04:10my answer would always be, I want to be a teacher.

04:13But every time, this is my answer.

04:14There is always sadness.

04:16At least, that is what I saw when I was asked.

04:18Why just a teacher?

04:19It is a waste of your intelligence.

04:21It is a waste that you went to UP.

04:23Until I reached the point where I did not take education in college.

04:26Out of fear of what others will say.

04:28But here we are now.

04:29I was able to teach for three years in a public school.

04:32I became a licensed teacher.

04:33I just finished my master's degree in education.

04:36And even if we are not in the classroom now,

04:38we continue to be a consular of education through Sikat Aurora.

04:43Talking about that RJ, what is Sikat Aurora?

04:46What inspired you to start this non-profit organization?

04:50Please tell us more about your advocacy.

04:53It was during the pandemic, Ms. Diane.

04:56So, in August 2021, I had my own initiatives during the pandemic.

05:01It was still related to education.

05:02Then, I noticed that there are a lot of young people who want to be a part of it.

05:06So, we had the Libro Project when I arrived.

05:09That was our first program during the pandemic.

05:12We would go to a community on 5 Saturdays.

05:15Then, we would have a story-telling session with the kids.

05:18Then, we would bring snacks to them.

05:20So, this started when we had 10 volunteers.

05:23Then, we noticed that every week, there are a lot of young people who want to be a part of it.

05:28That is why Sikat Aurora was formed.

05:30It was called Sikat Aurora because it would give a new face to volunteering

05:37in the place where the sun shines, in Aurora.

05:40So, basically, Sikat Aurora is an organization of, for, and by the youth of Aurora.

05:46It is a platform for the youth of Aurora to be a part of the change in our society through volunteering.

05:54So, now, we have more than 200 youth volunteers who are mobilized in the province.

06:00They are helping us with our three main programs in the organization.

06:05They also go around our three pillars.

06:09So, education, environment, and active citizenship.

06:13You mentioned 200 youth volunteers.

06:16If someone wants to volunteer here in Sikat Aurora,

06:19what can they expect when they join this organization and help you in your advocacy?

06:26Well, our volunteers play a big role in the organization.

06:33Like what I said earlier, Sikat Aurora is an organization of youth for the youth of Aurora.

06:40Our youth volunteers are the heart and soul of Sikat.

06:44They are the ones who bring life and color to every project that we do.

06:49They are like the hands, face, eyes, and heart of Sikat Aurora.

06:53For example, when we have the Libro Project,

06:56they are the ones who read the stories of the youth in our community.

07:03When we have a project in our environment,

07:06like the Batang Hali Program,

07:08they are the ones who facilitate the environmental learning sessions.

07:11So, they are everyone.

07:13Without these youth volunteers, Sikat Aurora would not exist.

07:17In terms of joining, our process is simple and free

07:21since we are a volunteer-based and non-profit organization.

07:24We also want to open the process of joining.

07:27First of all, you need to be a resident of any of the eight municipalities in Aurora.

07:36Second, you need to attend at least three Sikat events to become an official member.

07:42And lastly, of course, you need to have a passion for volunteerism.

07:45So, that's all. It's simple and free.

07:48RJ, how can they contact those who want to join the organization?

07:52Also, please send a message to our young Filipinos. Go ahead.

07:56Yes, they can search for us on Facebook.

07:59They can search for Sikat Aurora and also on Instagram.

08:02You can send us a message and we will reply to you if you want to be a part of Sikat Aurora.

08:10And my message to the young Filipinos who are dreaming of becoming teachers or helping the youth,

08:16we should not be afraid to start small.

08:20So, don't be afraid to start small.

08:22This is what I always remind the young Filipinos who are dreaming of becoming teachers or any profession

08:27or those who want to help others.

08:29Because every success and big change starts with a small step.

08:33You don't need to see big results right away.

08:38Dedication, perseverance, and heart are important in what you are doing.

08:42And in my experience in Sikat Aurora,

08:45I saw how a small step, like the simple things we teach in a community in a small way,

08:52brings a big change in the lives of the youth.

08:56Every child we teach, every child we listen to,

09:00becomes a part of a bigger story of change.

09:03So, that's it. Don't be afraid to start small.

09:07Well, thank you very much, RJ Belen.

09:09And again, congratulations.

09:12Thank you very much, RJ.

09:15Thank you, Ms. Dayahan.

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