Taking responsibility is a
way of testing one’s self. How we deal with our responsibilities, if we can
make it through until the end and how capable we are even at a young age. We may be young but we have already have responsibilities in life we choose and take.
Applying for the Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme
Project was really not part of my plan because I am already contented in
attending and joining lots of scouting activities. I saw some Chief Girl
Scout applicants before, and they are really busy of doing the 1-year community
project as well as with their paper works. That experience marks in my mind that CGSMS is
really a tough task and maybe I can’t do it especially that it is 1-year
project.
When I stepped in school as a Grade 9 student school
year 2015-2016, there was such a time that we have a meeting with the patrol
leaders in our school. Our GSP Coordinator, Tita Jasmin B. Adasa, brought the topic
about the CGSMS and explain what is it all about and what will happen before
and after the project. She then convinced me and 2 other patrol leaders to
apply to the CGSMS. Half in my mind wants to take the opportunity and half is
to decline for it is a big responsibility If I accept it. In the end I take
the opportunity because I realize that other girls do it so I can do it as
well.
I first ask for permissions to my parents, our school
principal, to the Zamboanga del Norte Council and they supported me for my
project. I started making a survey to my chosen barangay. There are four fields
to choose in making a project: health, environment, livelihood and culture and
heritage. I choose the field of health for it is needed in the community and
decided to have a feeding program and lecture on proper hand washing and table etiquette
to the Day Care pupils. I started planning my project and choose the
area/place where I will conducted my project, the line-up of the different
activities, the launching of my project to the Barangay Officials of the chosen
barangay, setting up the dates of the activities and funds for the feeding
program.
In the month of December, I
went to Sta. Cruz Day Care Center to ask for permission for the conduction of
my project and the teacher and the parents agreed and we do the initial
weighing of the pupils after.I launched my project and signing of Memorandum of
Agreement to the Barangay Officials of Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City and accept my
project in their community and we signed the MOA together with the barangay
Captain Holden M. Suarez, Dapitan City NHS Principal Jofrey B. Malana, DCNHS
GSP Coordinator Jasmin B. Adasa.
Struggles happened when
January came. I was busy in school because of school projects and presentations
but I also have an obligation in my community project. I don’t know how I will
managed my time because I still need to maintain my grades. In my project I
will do everything that is needed but I can get some guidance and help from
others. Second week of January, we prepare the food for the first feeding
activity with the help of my working group and DCNHS TLE teacher Dorothy Joy
Gahisan. Before we do the activity, we teach them to always pray before they
eat. Third week, I conducted a lecture on proper hand washing and table etiquette
to the pupils. It was fun that they were all participating and listening and my
lecture and they also enjoyed the activity.
In every activity I have to make letters to the
principal, teacher of Sta. Cruz Day Care Center and the Barangay Officials. The
second activity happened in February and the final feeding activity happened in
March. There are some instances that I forgot to make letters earlier due to
school activities so I have to make letters immediately the day before our
planned date and need to be excused in our class because I don’t have any laptop
to use so I need to go to our Computer Laboratory. After printing, I need to let
it signed by the recipients. It was really hard in catching up my studies as
well as my responsibilities in my project.
I was glad because even the
parents or guardians were very supportive. We get closed to the children. We
take selfies and talk with them. I even asked once a girl when we were talking
randomly after they eat in our feeding activity if she is happy and she said,
“Yes! I’m very full!” and she then laughed. With just a simple answer, it draws
a smile in my face. I can still remember that when the children know it’s our
last time to have a feeding activity, another pupil asked me, “Ate, can we see
you again next time?”. Her tone was somehow sad, and so I think that these
children really wait for us of when we will be back in their school because we
have already build friendship with them. After the final feeding activity, I
need to have an initial worksheet for the upcoming evaluation.
In the month of May-June, evaluation and turn-over
ceremony happen. Then, all I do is to complete the requirements. I have to
compile all the letters, documentations, complete all the necessary things
needed in my worksheet. We got sleepless night together with my Co-Chief Girl
Scouts applicants just to complete everything especially those days when the
deadline is really near. We sometimes forgot to eat our lunch and dinner and
just eat biscuits. The day before the deadline, we all do is to sit and look at
the computer whole day to finish my papers.
Through the CGSMS Project, it improves my
personality. I learn how to manage my time, to be responsible, how to dress up
properly, to be patient, to entertain the visitors well, to be more confident
when speaking in a crowd or in public and faithful to God. Through this, I
understand and realize the importance of CGSMS project. It is about developing
and improving our community. It is about helping and building the unity to the
community people. Yes, having the medal as an award is such a great pleasure
for us for it is the highest award but it is better to work hard for it and
enjoyed doing your project to the community.
Now that I have received the highest award and
officially a Chief Girl Scout, this is not the ending for serving the country
and the community. I have fully accomplished my biggest responsibility yet my
responsibility as a Girl Scout will not end. I should be proud of my
accomplishment for this is not easy to handle but I still have my feet on the
ground. And now I have passed the test in dealing and being responsible of my
responsibilities.
Thank you so much for reading my blog and please feel free to leave some comments for our improvement.
Sincerely;
Chief Girl Scout Kharla Joy D. Denura
