Please send your stories to UNV Philippines (hiroyuki.takita@undp.org), along with your name, phone number, and pictures (if possible) showing your activities. Your stories may appear here!
An inspiring walk through there lives
Touching Human Lives - Carlito Cerezo worked as the Planning, Programming, and Management Specialist. Since 2001, he was responsible in developing Database System for the GRP-UN MDP Phase 3 under the Emergency Relief and Response Component.
A Peek into a UNV's Journal - Sario Pio: At the airport, I was the only passenger for a small plane.... Then the pilot with his limited English was trying to strike a conversation with me and oh, see what I got myself into for getting into conversation with him.
Story of a former UNV - Al-badal Julius Hassan a native of Maimbug, Sulu; a social worker by profession. Prior to being a NUV, he was a community worker of Land Bank of the Philippines-Integrated Rural Financing and a research assistant to GEM.
Bioco's Story - Volunteerism finds its heart in Old Sta. Mesa, Manila as UNV marks International Volunteers Day.
China Experience - Pamela Palma's "a home away from home or" story. The author is/ was an INTERNATIONAL UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTEER specializing in environment. She was based in CHINA last year.
A Milestone of Abdennaser's life - Abdennaser Jawali. Before joining the United Nations Multi- Donor Program-3, he worked as a social development worker at Christian Children's fund Project in Jolo,Sulu .He was a volunteer assigned in Tawi-Tawi for a year.
Story of a former MNLF's Commander - Sonny Arao. In 1997, the Armed Forces of the Philippines invited him to integrate but he declined. He opted to be a volunteer instead .He is now an information officer of MINSUPALA Peace and Development Advocate League. Aside from that, he also works as a community organizer in areas infiltrated by the Abu Sayyaf.
The Muslim UNV - Jamil Najars. amil "jam" Najar comes from Zamboanga. He served in the United Nations Multi-Donor Program –Phase 3(GOP-UNMDP3) for more than two years.
Coping with Life in Isabel Province - Truman Cainglet, IUNV, Solomon Is. One of the real challenges to an international UN volunteer is to cope with living in the country of his assignment. Thus, the UNV takes pains in describing in detail the conditions in the area of assignment.
Volunteers in Humanitarian Work
Since 1999, we had evacuated five times," lamented by one of the evacuees in Pikit, Cotabato, the hardest hit municipality in Central Mindanao. Due to armed-conflict between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), three provinces (Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat) were affected and 18, 016 families or 108,096 persons were displaced.
Working as United Nations Volunteer was a noble and challenging job. It required guts, courage, determination, and focus. For me, the most important factor was to trust the Almighty God. It may sound religious but HE was my strength during those times.
Within the team, time was imperative in reaching remote places of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Who could ever forget Pikit? It was difficult for me to overlook this place. For Pikit was my baptism-of-fire in conducting humanitarian assistance to some 750 families displaced due to armed-conflict in November of 2001.
At first, I thought of giving-up and leaving. But the moment when I was already at evacuation centers, my mind kept thinking of other things to be done.
The environmental scanning (Minimum Basic Needs, Focal Persons, Networks and organizing) helped me in carrying-out various activities. With the support and guidance of our Component Manager Ronie Dusaban, my self-confidence to face the challenges soared.
Living with them
Some would say, "they are lucky, they have food ration, all their needs are met, and that's why they wanted to stay there," but frankly speaking it was the opposite. On the first influx of evacuees, we conducted area assessment, monitored security and tapped ground networks. Amidst the continuous firing of 105mm howitzers, coming to and fro of fresh troops, we focused on how to support, augment and capacitate the Local Government Units (LGUs). To sustain the supervision of the evacuees, three NUNVs (Carly, Che and Irene) slept in the area of Pikit. With the coordination of town officials and parish priests, we set up our own tents. We even thought of how we can replicate ourselves to cope with the hectic loads of work. This was the spirit of volunteerism.
We then divided the workloads. One will pay attention on health/sanitation volunteers, others on medical volunteers and relief delivery volunteers. Fortunately, there were Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) who were also involved in organizing the IDPs in the evacuation centers.
Leading the people by example was a key factor in obtaining the cooperation of the community. While digging a canal to drain stagnant water, people just observed me. Upon realizing that what I am doing was for them, groups of male and female started to rally round to complete the digging. So that's how organizing started, we mobilized volunteers for the maintenance of cleanliness to avert the spread of waterborne diseases. The two comrades also assembled volunteers to man the emergency medical centers and the four private doctors (Pediatrician, Internal Medicine, Surgeon and Dentist) who were supportive in the medical mission. Peace and Development Advocates (PDAs) were always present to accompany me. We worked in a buddy system.
Life in the evacuation center
"Its really difficult here, lack of food and water; we don't want to stay long, it is not our fault to be displaced, we have kids to take care, we really wanted to go back to our farms its our only source of living," these were striking statements wherever we went even in Sulu (Indanan and Patikul). Sometimes I felt guilty of taking pictures of them. Do I make them happy by doing such? Or had I just exploited their conditions? These were questions I asked to myself.
Children were the most vulnerable. In some shanties, coconut leaves served as their sleeping mats. In the evacuation areas, some slept in cement floors. Some children do not have clothes. Many children were crying and restless. There were also insufficient food and water.
There were mothers who were unaware of where to look for assistance if their children got sick. Volunteers facilitated to accompany them in medical centers. In severe cases, the patients were immediately referred to the hospital.
Humanitarian Work
Doing humanitarian work was a tough job. You have to handle the crowds and control them. Even under the heat of the sun and any other given conditions, you have to be prepared and stay focused.
Be facilitative and persuasive rather than be coercive. These were the simple thoughts I've learned in performing my duties.
As a volunteer, I felt the excitement of reaching people in the interior parts. Seeing armed men were common occurrences. Like in Barangay Macabual, Pikit, I smiled in greeting "Assalamu Alaikum kaka" and told them "We are from the UN.I am a volunteer. I am here to set-up emergency medical clinic in the evacuation center". They replied of "It's good you're here, there are kids who got sick."
Again, I've seen shanties made of coconut leaves here. The children slept on ground with no mats, some used coco leaves as body warmers. They haven't received any relief assistance. Due to security reasons, authorities were afraid to enter the area. We persuaded MILF and AFP to facilitate the delivery of relief assistance.
In Barangay Langayen, 15 kilometers away from the Poblacion and more or less 2 kilometers from the encounter site, there were houses burning, different caliber rapid firings and 105mms explosions. We assisted the barangay captain in finding safe havens for the evacuees and facilitated the delivery of relief assistance to some 150 families.
Along the developments of events, unstable peace and order and other uncertainties, the big battle faced by evacuees was how to survive in evacuation centers. Government resources were depleted. Some NGOs were no longer visible in the area.
Thank God, the UN Programme was still there. Volunteers still have high adrenalin in facing challenge and doing humanitarian works. But, that was inadequate. We hoped that the government was performing its own duty too.
In this man-made disaster, civilians were the ultimate victims. We prayed of achieving peaceful settlements. Our plea was to give peace a chance!
September 11
While the world is busy recalling what happened in New York few years back, here I am, the only passenger in a chopper that would bring me to my duty station (Kauda Nuba Mountains, Sudan). Having worked in Cambodia and East Timor prior to taking this UNV assignment, I was convinced I was well prepared for this. After 45 minutes of viewing what seemed to be the remnants of my childhood's Tarzan episodes on T.V, I was jolted from the chopper's sudden about face giving me the impression that's its going to eventually land. I look at my left side "down there" and thought "hey! where are the buildings and houses?" oops, there in the middle of nowhere was a tent camp. That, I learned later was going to be my "kingdom" for the next few months.
Recollections
The next few days was a real test of how ready I was to immerse my self in a society fresh from war, a society with very a different culture and different color of skin with that of mine. There is a very high demand for me to cope with the situation if only to effectively deliver the task that I was here for. In those hard coping times, writing proved cathartic. In my journal I learned to view the difficulties I face in a way that I could laugh at them. One particular entry reads:
- Post: capacity Building Specialist
- Duty Station: Nub Mt, Sudan
- Qualifications:
- Should be able to use a toilet pit full of flies and device ways and means to either sit or squat without disturbing the flies under
- Should be ready to be abandoned for two weeks with no translator, no phone, and no car.
- Should be able to stay calm when there is news about people being killed in a landmine accident and that an UXO has been found 50 meters from the camp's driveway
- Should be able to get used to having frogs all over the place at night singing in chorus...in acapella.
- Should be ready to eat in the community's version of a "Filipino Kamayan Restaurant". (See attached picture)
- should have enough patience to ride for 45 minutes by chopper to buy chicken eggs to satisfy one's stomach obsession after having been deprived of it for quite sometime.
November 11
I arrived in Khartoum three p.m last Saturday, and my phone got lost in the taxi to my accommodation whew! Anyway, I also found out that I was not booked for my in-country flight the following day. I was told my flight would be on Wednesday instead. Last Monday, I called the guy in-charge with my booking and I was so surprised to find out that I was booked from Kadugli to Khartoum and not the other way around and so the guy in-charge was so surprised when I called him and he discovered that I was in Khartoum. He was saying something like "hey, this is interesting! How can you ask us guys to book you for a flight coming to Khartoum from Kadugli when you are already here" and I was saying something like "hey man, how can I be in Kadugli when I just flew-in from back home?". In the evening of Tuesday, just after I was told that I have to fly the following Sunday, I received another call telling me that there is a flight going straight to my duty station the following day so I ended up hoarding the grocery items of the person who was kind enough to temporarily accommodate me.... "go for your own grocery later, anyway you're here in Khartoum" I said and off I've gone to the airport.
At the airport, I was the only passenger for a small plane.... Then the pilot with his limited English was trying to strike a conversation with me and oh, see what I got myself into for getting into conversation with him. Before they start the engine he starts waving at some guys and in the end we ended up pushing the plane. Oh my!, I thought this only happens to jump start old vehicles back home but here we are literally and in the very physical sense of the word pushing a plane. Imagine us pushing the right wing of the plane to make it turn about face.
... and that was not the end of the story, just when we are about to land in Kauda, the fasten your seatbelt sign flashed but when I was just about to fasten my seatbelt, the pilot opened the pilot cabin popped his head out and said. "hey friend! Do me a favor, just when we are about to land can you just go to where that motorcycle (we had one in the plane) and hold on to it coz we're gonna have a rough landing down there?" and I was just kind of. "what? am I not supposed to be fastening my seatbelt? And now you're asking me to unfasten my seatbelt and go hold that motorcycle?" but I got no choice, if I wont do what he asked me to do, I might end up being covered by a big motor bike upon landing so I there I was unfastening my seat belt and holding on to a big motorbike like holding on to my dear life when the plane touched down.
I arrived in my duty station at 5 p.m and I haven't put down my things yet when my CTOs phoned saying I needed to fly to the other side first thing the next morning. At 8 p.m I went to arrange for my flight and was told to be at the heliport 8 am the following day. So that was exactly what I did only to find out that I would be bumped off from the chopper. I came to learn later that I am not anymore allowed to ride in any JMC aircraft because of an issue which I may not have the liberty to discuss here. I don't know, I just woke up one morning and I found myself in the middle of issues and controversies. I just told myself "man! I need to enjoy this while I'm still in the limelight". On the second thought, "is somebody up there picking' on me?
December 14
Am in a WPF plane, taking one last look at the terrains of Nuba Mountains which I may never have to see again. Just a very short span of time in this place but I just gave it a sigh and say "it was worth it". At the end of the day, I know it will be an experience I would always look back to as it made me a better person.
Lessons Learned
Looking back, am just so thankful that my first experience as UNV provided me with much lessons that would better equip me with more positive views and attitudes to carry with me in my next UNV posting.
First, I came to value and appreciate more what I have as a person with the realization that I may not have experienced yet the worst that the less fortunate people in my last posting may have gone through. Secondly, As UNV, your effort may seem just a grain of sand in the beach but it's an effort that would make a change within the area where that "grain" is. These are efforts that in the end may only become visible to a small group of people but it is an effort that they will highly appreciate.
And lastly, being a volunteer is not just about helping other people, it is also about giving yourself the chance to become a better person through the daily interactions you will have with the less fortunate people of the society. It is not a question of how difficult your duty station has been but at how much you allowed yourself to learn from the whole experience.
I am Al-badal Julius Hassan, a former National United Volunteers (NUV) assigned in Tawi-Tawi for almost 5 years. I would like to extend my gratefulness to the UNV Programme for making me a part of the family who worked for the grassroots level. My experiences as a volunteer were incomparable. It was really a great opportunity for me to share my knowledge and skills.
After the signing of the peace accord between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), SPCPD- NEDA- UN/ Multi – Donor Programme took an immediate intervention rebuilding the lives of the MNLF through the provision of livelihood assistance and capability building.
The NUVas the frontline in this endeavor took a very good start in the mainstreaming of these people into the society. The job was difficult, for one, we were working with people who had revolutionary perspectives. I couldn't help having fears, anxieties and worries in my mind about the complexities of the work.
The actual visit to them, wherein we have to go across oceans and walk 15 kilometers of jungle, made me realize to carry out something for them. Their place was hungry for basic services, infrastructure facilities and other developmental interventions. Upon seeing it, the eagerness to be a tool for development in these communities grew stronger.
The five years of working together for peace and development somehow resulted to several triumphs and breakthroughs:
The communities now have formidable links and networks with the local government units (LGUs), line agencies and private sectors which furthen heightens the morale of the community. LGUs and local agencies easily provided supports and delivered their roles with proper links established.
The community leaders have become more adept now in the recognition and prioritization of their own problems in sync on how they can be more self-reliant in finding solutions to these problems.
The cooperatives have been well established and projects were running smoothly. Take the case of a cooperative we organized in 1998. Initially, it has 25 members. We provided the capability building for the members and officers as part of preliminary intervention of the Programme. Then, they started venturing their micro- finance project with their own capital. It was distributed among Bangsa Moro women in the form of loans for their individual income-generating projects. After a couple of years, the project gained profits and good tract records for the cooperative. Involvement from other service providers started which resulted to increase of cooperative assets and members. The micro- finance project has also expanded its operations to other depressed communities. The cooperatives also played a role in scuffling the large number of loan sharks that charge high interests. It also built its office and other facilities. In addition, it created jobs among skilled community members. Another accomplishment of the cooperative is its formation of a unit of organizers for community development.
Peace and development advocacy as well as the spirit of volunteerism among the professional youth was also inculcated. They voluntarily provided adult literacy class to Bangsa Moro women and former MNLF combatants who were illiterates.
Being a volunteer entails courage, honesty, tactfulness, sense of commitment and dedication, not to forget patience. You need to be daring in reaching far- flung communities and pressing on your counterparts for actions (especially on LGUs to extend resources to the communities under their jurisdiction).
We are the bridge between the communities and the Programme. Failure to report the needs of the people would also mean failure of the Programme and other service providers in conveying effective programs & services.
Your sense of commitment and dedication to the undertaking would in some way reap bountiful harvests. Patience is the best tool in this kind of work. We can't please everybody so expect criticism from other partners and clients.
To my successors, everything has already been put to place. Carry on what I had started. Continue the partnership with the LGUs , local line agencies and the non-government organizations. The plans and objectives of communities are in the barangay development planning. Its adoption as a provincial government development planning will be a major breakthrough for the Programme.
Masakit man sabihin na kami ay aalis na pero ang puso't isipan namin ay nanatili para sa ikakaunlad ng ating sambayanang Pilipino (It is painful for us to bid our farewell. But, our heart and mind will stay behind for the advancement of the Filipino society).
THANK YOU and WASSALAM!
Volunteerism finds its heart in Old Sta. Mesa, Manila as UNV marks International Volunteers Day
"I was searching for my heart and I have found it in Barangay 598. Because of being able to reach out to countless people, I know I will be more effective as a community volunteer rather than as a drug supervisor."
Twenty-five-year-old Jonie Bioco has relinquished a good-paying career as a supervisor for a drug company to become a United Nations Volunteer (UNV). Although there were significant change in priorities and vocation, there were no regrets and doubts on the decision of being a UNV. Volunteerism turned out to be his way of life.
On February 2001, Jonie applied as a volunteer. After two months, he was accepted through the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.
Together with four other volunteers, namely Royce Aman, Karla Marsia Rey, Roselyn Tubig and Gina Saculsan, they collectively worked in carrying out "Community-Based Ecological Solid Waste Management System in the Philippines". This was a project of the Metro Manila Development Authority, Japan and the United Nations Development Programme, which incorporated the functional elements of waste generation, discharge and storage, collection, recycling and final disposal, in an integrated and community-based approach.
Jonie was assigned in Barangay 598, Zone 59 in Old Sta. Mesa, Manila. In just seven months of spearheading the programme in that particular area, Jonie already pulled off a remarkable record of organizing eleven block leaders and covering more than 2,000 households.
How did he manage to organize more than 2,000 households? First, he started to ask that each block leaders organize six street leaders (or a total of 45 street leaders). Subsequently, every street leader was asked to organize 50 households. So, a total of organized 2,250 households were accomplished. This was a core concept in community organizing. On the other hand, Jonie considered mobilizing community meetings without spending even a single centavo a challenge.
"Interpersonal communication is essential to getting people to organize, to identify problems and to draw up their own solutions".
Moreover, he painstakingly made connections to the community. He became a tireless listener of their needs and wants. His relationship with the people was not purely professional… it consequently developed into friendship.
Jonie take full advantage every opportunity to discuss the values of cleanliness, health and sanitation, teamwork and pride in his designated area. These discussions worked wonders as Barangay 598 eventually grasped how volunteerism played a role in realizing these values.
"We have just started our work but we are certain that community volunteerism would go a long way in Barangay 598. It continues to be a great possibility because of the commitment and steadfastness shown by the block and street leaders",
In the passing of time, the community members became actively engaged in development activities. The block and street leaders have served as catalysts in drawing up solutions to problems like waste management.
Initially, the community members have agreed to assign a garbage collector for every block to ensure that waste is properly and regularly collected. They discussed ways to make best management of the "Material Recovery Facility" a junkyard for recyclable garbage funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and technically supervised by the Metro Manila Development Authority.
Jonie realized that he could not solve the world's woes and, therefore, takes things one at a time.
"My work as a United Nations volunteer helped me become more whole as a person since working with the poor has filled the void in my heart. I have become more in touch with reality and this has immensely made my life more satisfying."
Already earning the attention and interest of Barangay 598, Jonie then conceptualized a Barangay Volunteers Recognition Program. This was a local celebration of International Volunteer's Day held at the 3rd Floor of Romana Building, Barangay 598, Zone 59 in Old Sta. Mesa. The program served as a gratification to the contributions of the youth, housewives and family heads who have joined the pool of local volunteers.
"I want to help and I could stay on in this work for eight years, the maximum period for volunteers".
Jonie talked with such passion and idealism of the young. No wonder, as a student he pioneered a community outreach project "Kaabyan" (an Ilonggo term for "friend") in the De La Salle University where he finished his Management in Information Systems in 1999.
The experience of Barangay 598 mirrored the realization of one of the UNV objectives in fostering peace and development through enhancing opportunities for participation by the people. It certainly illustrated how UNV managed to foster self-reliance and to help villages in developing a stronger voice and visibility in whatever aspect.
You gotta have faith….
Dec 10,2003.
At the moment, I'm busy settling down in my new house and office. I got a nice cozy little house with some quirks. From the outside, it may look like a dilapidated apartment. But, surprise! The interiors are newly and nicely refurbished.
Before reaching the sitting room, people have to pass my bedroom first. That means, I have to keep my bedroom uncluttered all the time. Which also indicates that people will have the chance of glimpsing my other belongings.
My new house has a tiny hallway for shoes and slipper.
My sitting room has a long sofa and a table for four. This also functions as dining area. Because a heater is not installed, I don't spend much time here unlike in my bedroom.
A little nook for study shares a space with a fully automated washing machine and clothesline. So, I can be able to simultaneously read /write and do my laundry. Brilliant idea? In addition to that, my laundry will only be visible if you will look upwards. Cool! The clothesline can also be rolled up and down from the ceiling.
My kitchen is a relatively undersized in comparison to the whole floor area. Fortunately, it still provides economy of movement. And most of all, it is easy to clean and tidy up.
My toilet/bathroom is nearly perfect… if not for the hole in the middle of the shower. Yes, the Chinese think that toilet seats are unhygienic so they prefer to squat. But hey, it comes with a flush so I can't complain too much. We got the same kind of toilet in the office and I'm told it would be difficult to find one with the seat like what we have at home. Come to think of it, Malaysians and Indonesians have the same preference for toilet. Is it just the western influence on Filipinos that make us different from our own neighbors?
Well, with all the eccentricities of my new house, I'm very well pleased with it. For one, it looks secure and peaceful because it is within the government compound. Moreover, it is strategically located and within walking distance to my office, bank, post office, shops, restaurant, etc. Outside the compound gate that is about ten minutes walk from my place, are shopping malls and rows of small shops selling fashionable clothes and things.
To my delight, most of my colleagues here speak English. So communication at work is not a great deal of a problem. The guy that shares my office has been to the Philippines so we got something in common to talk about.
Chen Kui, one of the administrative staff, is very helpful and friendly. She accompanies me to some of my errands like shopping, bank transacting and vaccinations.
There was a time when were about to go out of Wal-Mart (yes they have Wal-Mart here with cheap Chinese and pricey international goodies) with loads of groceries. She remembered that taxis are not allowed inside the government compound where my flat is located. That's one major inconvenience they forgot to tell me. So she called the office driver to pick us up and help me with my stuff. I think that's one thing that can hinder my shopping spree…how to carry the booty to my house without looking like a stevedore (no discrimination intended).
In dealing with other essentials things, foreigners should have faith. I opened a bank account like someone who cannot read and write. Chen Kui filled up the forms for me and i just signed. It's quite disconcerting! I wish they'd provide English translations so that stupid foreigners can do business on their own.
Then when I went to the hospital to have the second dose of my Japanese B encephalitis vaccine, Chen Kui again was the one who conversed to the doctor. The doctor doesn't know how to administer the vaccine so I had to call the SOS, the international clinic in Beijing that gave me the vaccines and have the pharmacist explained to the doctor what to do. It's unsettling when you feel helpless with unfamiliar people especially if it concerns your personal health.
So, I am very much eager to learn Chinese. Not only to be in control of my personal business again but also to integrate more rapidly with the Chinese environment.
Next time I might be able to write details about my work and how Nanchang City looks like (sentence not to insert in the posted article).
Last June 24,1993 marked the milestone of my persona when I started to be a National United Nations Volunteer (NUNV). I decided to become one to serve the less-fortunate sectors of our society and to make a difference on their lives. I also wanted to promote the spirit of volunteerism for it is the best option in upholding the essence of solidarity, prosperity, and genuine peace in our society.
In the area where I was assigned, I usually worked with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) ex-combatants. They served as volunteers for information, aids for development and advocates of peace. They helped me in mobilizing and coordinating the community and the local government units (LGUs). I also collaborated with Provincial Peace and Development Task Force in Tawi-Tawi or PPDTF (most of its members are LGUs, line agencies, and non-government organizations). The PPDTF facilitated in the fast tracking of implementation of the projects/programs.
Our target beneficiaries in the Programme were MNLF ex-combatants coming from seven Peace and Development Communities (PDC) in Tawi-Tawi. We organized them into People's Organizations (POs) like cooperatives, associations, and others. Some of the activities conducted capability- building for POs.
My UNV work was meaningful and the experiences I had accumulated will be cherished forever.
During my one- year assignment, I was able to facilitate the reactivation/reorganization of 13 PO's. Eleven of which were able to access development projects/assistance from the UNMDP-3 and other donor-funded programmes.
Aside from this, I was able to reactivate the Peace and Development League of Tawi-Tawi and helped accessed project (computer operation). I was also able to define their roles and functions as a support mechanism to the programme.
More importantly, I was able to touch people's lives and had a good working relationship with them. Working with the people behind the programme from the subordinate staff to the top executive was also a worthwhile encounter.
Being a volunteer also helped in my personal and professional maturity. My self-confidence in facing people of various faith and cultural background was enhanced. I was also able to re-focus my own goal in life.
My knowledge, skills and experiences in the field of social development work deepened. I learned how to be more systematic in planning my daily schedules. Furthermore, I had the chance to work with different sectors such as the MNLF ex-combatants, the Bangsamoro women, youth, LGUs, line agencies, and NGOs.
If there were no schedules, I find time for my personal life. I take a monthly visit to my family and go out with some friends. We should also learn to balance our life- to give time for yourself without sacrificing the volunteer work.
I think the UNV system is now in the right tract in sponsoring the Millenium Development Goals such as to be able to eradicate poverty, achieve primary education, promote gender equality, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and global partnership for development. All these efforts will be part of the cause to world solidarity and peace.
I would forever say that being a volunteer was a heroic and rewarding experience. The essence to this noble work is that you bestow and instill hope to the people. Likewise, you will also grow to be a better person through the experiences you come across.
I recommend to everyone to consider this great work as an investment of service to the underprivileged sectors of our society. I ask everyone to play an active involvement in any community activities promoting the participation of various sectors With the people's participation, a brighter tomorrow still awaits and ascertains our society.
Should there be a chance in the future, I would still be committed to serve as a volunteer either here or abroad.
Volunteerism is a noble and nourishing deed in attaining peace.
I have been doing volunteer works for a long time. As a former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front, I risked my life for the principles. And now as a senior Peace and Development Advocate, I wholeheartedly give service to the people in the communities.
Before simple matters were dealt with caliber 45 guns. But now, the thrust is on how to educate the communities about the necessity and value of cooperation without the use of arms.
When financial supports were still unavailable, I had already proven that we have the capability of pushing forward activities such as forming organizations in Pigcawayan. When funding agencies learned of this initiative, help began surging.
We provided the linkaging and the networking for the projects realization. We requested assistance for the needy. Muslims were able to have corn shelter and other farming needs. Lumads were able to acquire carabaos and horses. Christians were able to have adequate water system.
Because of having a peace agreement, Christians and Muslims can work and live harmoniously. In fact, project sites were areas that Christians, Muslims and Lumads have existing healthier relationships.
Volunteerism is what you can bestow to the to the community and not for yourself. It is the willingness to help without expecting financial and material returns.
When people visited our house, they cannot believe that the almost dilapidated house was ours. They asked me why did I not take a slice of the projects fund for my house renovation. I never want that to happen. I do not want to create a stir of using the money for my benefit and good.
Due to my perseverance and expertise in the communities, I was one of the Outstanding Volunteers of 2003. The Organization of Islamic Conference also recognized my volunteering efforts. Even President Arroyo mentioned me in her State of the Nation Address as one of those who initiated in organizing. But, the happiest moment of my life was when my child greeted me as his idol. Isn't it overwhelming that your child appreciates your vocation?
In pursuing the mission, you must first organize yourself and your family. There may be times that somebody will question you and your performance even how much beneficial your endeavors are. But whatever happens let them evaluate and come up with their own judgment.
In areas with conflicts, we encouraged the formation of Peace and Development Task Force. There were meetings with the commanders of the AFP, MNLF, MILF, the LGUS and the stakeholders about the implementation on how to strengthen peace. We requested conflicting groups not to have encounters in civilian communities so that no one will be caught in the crossfire. The AFP and the MILF said that they want peace. But is there peace when there are destructions of properties and human lives?
As ex-MNLF commander, I really detested the existence of war in the country. Our children, brothers and sisters are killed. We have nothing to gain if we continue warring with each other. Only bloodsheds and perpetual condemnations, accusations and revenge .It is just a vicious circle that directly enfolds the society especially the conflicting groups. Now, what I want is to help the country while I am still alive and capable. Even without financial or material returns, I will continue whatever I have started in volunteering works.
PDAs immersed in areas to help the communities and inform the people. Because of continuous steady influx of PDAs, the new ones were handed over with inputs on how they can continue the work while still youthful. They can now start to inform the people about the necessity and righteousness of the Programme.
Volunteers do not need commands to accomplish goodness. The commitment to help comes from the heart. So I encourage the youth and the young PDAs to be exemplars of pursuing peace and to be teemed with love.
All of us should volunteer even just a little. We much share even our precious little time for the unprivileged and needy Filipinos. Doesn't it feel good that we did something worthwhile for our country, our fellowmen and our loved ones?
I hope that there will be no more war. Sometimes it is difficult to say that. For if quarrels prevails, troubles arise. I remain expectant that it will not result to waging war again. In the name of Allah, the most merciful, peace be with you!
Writer's Background: Jamil "jam" Najar comes from Zamboanga. He served in the United Nations Multi-Donor Program –Phase 3(GOP-UNMDP3) for more than two years.
The Moro people are in need of dedicated, determined and committed individuals to rally round in improving their economic and social rights. That was the central basis and motivating factor on why I have decided to be a National United Nations Volunteer.
In addition, being enlisted to a wide-ranging organization such as United Nations is something to look forward to. If you're looking for a job that is jam-packed with a lot of challenges, then this mission is for you. You must be able to establish your knowledge, skills and attitude to the sponsoring organization and the stakeholders / clients.
I had served as a member of an area coordination team in Basilan, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao; a province recovered from the notorious Abu Sayyaff. My job entailed me to operate within the different sectors of the society.
In spite of working alone, I am honored that my superiors have given me their full trust and confidence in conducting the ground-level work in Basilan. Mainly, I had worked closely with the local community to gain their trust and confidence for them to be formed into organizations. I also dealt with ex- Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants who acted out as Peace and Development Advocates to post-conflict communities called Peace and Development Communities (PDC). I also provided technical support to the Volunteer Information and Development Assistance (VIDA). I also helped in the further strengthening of ties with the local government units- provincial and municipal levels and other non-government organizations (NGOs) link with PDCs for support.
There are a lot of contributions that I offered during the programme. One of these was the formation of four people's multi-sectoral organizations. Also, the four VIDAs had been capable in performing and practicing the facilitating and mobilizing tasks with less supervision.
In addition, I had been able to form Peace and Development Advocate League (PDAL) that constitutes MNLF and community volunteers. This was fully participated by the MNLF State Chairman. Plus, the local government stakeholders have wholly grasped the GOP-UNMDP3 concepts and operations.
The most notable fulfillment I had was that the assistance to the PDCs has gained appreciation and support from the local people.
Being a volunteer helped me in various aspects. It resulted to be beyond the level of my potentials. One factor for this was in dealing with the job, I had to internalize that I am a part of a prestigious organization. I had to bare my best efforts and capabilities than what is expected on me.
In general, I was able to self-enhance my knowledge, skills and attitude. My self-confidence has also increased because of constant interaction with others and exposures to community development works. Further, my computer skill has also developed. I may add that I can now handle supervising and coordinating works more confidently.
Through proper time management, the volunteering job and my personal life can go hand-in-hand. There will be no hindrance in carrying out your jobs as long as you are conscious of systematizing your time in the different fields.
Given the opportunity and WILL OF ALLAH, I will always be willing to be in a NUNV again. Forgetting this job is quite hard knowing that this mission made me a better person. I am also being more than willing to share this best experience to promote the spirit of volunteerism.
I am thankful to Allah and the UN/ UNV for having an opportunity to extend my services to my fellow MORO brothers and sisters.
One of the real challenges to an international UN volunteer is to cope with living in the country of his assignment. Thus, the UNV takes pains in describing in detail the conditions in the area of assignment.
I found myself in this predicament when I was assigned in Buala, Isabel Province, Solomon Islands.
I had been to countries in central, east, south and southeast Asia, North America, Europe, Middle East and north Africa to attend seminars or spend vacation, and could not recall serious adjustment problems, so I was confident that my well-honed coping skills would carry me through in my new assignment in Buala. It hardly mattered to me either that the proposed assignment would be for 15 months, since I had been in the US for close to 15 months for my masters degree in development administration. I was further reassured by the remark of South Pacific UNV Programme Officer Ms. Fiel-Fraulein Bandekar, 'a Filipino can survive in the Solomons', when the post did not have takers.
When I applied to be an international UNV volunteer, I was mentally prepared for posting in an area with relatively difficult conditions, so why should I make a fuss over an assignment in Isabel Province?
But a new place would have its own unique challenges which a volunteer needs to cope with. The challenges could be in accommodation, food, the people (in the place and those you work with), services, one's needs for leisure and friends, physical and spiritual exercise, support system, consumer goods, and the like.
My first accommodation in a diocesan resthouse was stressful. The room was so small, the electric fan or ceiling lamp would often not function. To use the restroom, I had to go out of my room in the second floor and walk down the outdoor stairs to the rest rooms in the first floor. Since I needed to go to the restroom several times at night, when I would still be half-awake, it was an ordeal. I cooked and ate in another structure, often walked through rain. But I enjoyed cooking in the communal kitchen and often had small talk with my two other co-lodgers from the RAMSI while preparing food. It tired me to walk from the diocesan resthouse to the provincial center where we held office, and back, to prepare lunch at noon and then go back again after lunch. Watching the schoolchildren play on my way to the office and back, though, eased my stress.
I asked the help of the Premier and the UNV staff to find me a better place and was soon housed in a refurbished, partly furnished, two-bedroom house with no close neighbors, nestled at the foot of a hill, among trees and shrubs, which was ten minutes less walk to my place of work. The new house was secure, comfortable and helped to put me in good shape for work. I listened to tape-recorded music, charcoal-sketched views and a portrait of my friend, the provincial physical planner John, and read books during my free time. My ref was always stocked with fish, juice, fruits, and vegetables. My problem with food was that while I tremendously loved fresh fish, that love started to sour from daily affection. I just had to discover other ways to cook fish, and partly succeeded.
The people in Isabel were warm to me; when I went out to buy 'doughnuts' from the bread store in the mornings, I would be greeted with 'good morning' and smiles by children and adults alike, which started my day right. I theorized that when a community is not stressed by crime or disorder and is well-fed, then its natural disposition would be friendly. Isabelans just diligently attend to their family's daily needs and are not covetous of other's possessions since there is not much disparity among lifestyles. Walking on foot is common, some wear worn-out slippers, and few wear shoes; clothing is basic and functional; household wares are basic and functional. Ostentation is generally absent. Only those who have been exposed to outside cultures display some air of superiority. The insecure who think they belong to a superior culture zealously guard that fiction
One day I felt I needed a haircut. In Isabel, there are no barber shops, beauty parlors or any of the services that cater to capitalist decadence. Walking through Buala Village, I saw a young man (he turned out to work for the pharmacy in the hospital) trimming the curly hair of his friend. I contracted him to trim my hair, which he did well enough, despite the fact that it was his first time to cut straight hair. There are no movie houses, and the recreation that I have seen are non-physical (playing cards}, or physical (soccer, swimming, ball games), cultural (fund raising concert). On some nights, you can hear the strains of modern music; on most nights, you simply hear the sounds of crickets, insects, frogs, birds (especially owls), howling dogs, the wind and rains. Buala has no land motor vehicles, so you don't hear blowing of horns.
I cannot imagine how one can cope without friends. I started with the UNV volunteers, my catholic community colleagues, people I encounter often in work and in the stores. One has become a close confidante, John, the provincial physical planner, whom I admire in the way he lives his christian principles. I have also become fond of his eight-month old baby boy, who has the same birthday as my brother who died last month. John was pleased to know that Queen Elizabeth II has also the same biological birthday. In a sense, he and the five-man catholic community provided the support system I needed.
I regularly played lawn tennis in the Philippines. I wanted to teach the rudiments of tennis to interested youth in Isabel, and the Premier of Isabel who was a soccer player as a civil engineering student in New Zealand, included in the provincial investment program the construction of tennis courts. But I never played tennis for lack of a court or table tennis for lack of a pingpong table. The leafhouse church of the catholics responded to my need to participate in church rituals. It also provided the venue for meditation which I would do from time to time.
My need for consumer goods was dampened because I was increasingly imbibing the local philosophy that there are only a few things one really needs. Just as I did not miss television, movies, newspapers, etc. which were my daily fare, I developed a healthy suspicion for consumer goods.
I think I have shared as much of my own cultural background as I learned from them. Isabel was a fulfilling experience for me; I have regularly engaged in a healthy exchange of ideas with the Premier whom I admired and liked, because of his clear vision of what he wants for his people and his unassuming nature. I have a healthy respect for nearly all the people I lived and worked with. I hope that my contributions can provide a few steps in the fulfillment of their aspirations.