Considering the great number of service-learning initiatives at De La Salle University, Philippines, two of particular interest have been reported in the last few months. One involves graduate students of the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business with inmates of a national prison. The other involves students from the Biology Department helping to improve the health of people living in the slums of Manila.
Service-learning activity at the Medium Security Camp of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City
In March, the Lasallian Business Leadership, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility students conducted a service-learning activity at the Medium Security Camp of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. The students led several seminars and training sessions aimed to address the expressed needs of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). Topics ranged from fostering optimism and motivation to practical skills such as dishwashing liquid preparation and marketing. Additionally, there were sessions on job interview preparation, Business Process Outsourcing applications for PDLs nearing release, and quality teaching skills for Alternative Learning System teachers.
Service-learning activity at the Medium Security Camp of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City
This project was possible thanks to Maria Paquita “Kit” Diongon-Bonnet, head of the Department of Administration and Organization; Marietta Guanzon, COSCA (Center for Social Concern and Action) service-learning specialist; the Philippine Jesuit Prison Services Foundation Inc. and the Bureau of Corrections.
Students from the Department of Biology conducted another outstanding experience in April as part of the Medical Parasitology and Immunology programme. The university students conducted seminars for groups of community members and authorities from different neighbourhoods on various aspects of parasitic infections, such as intestinal parasite identification, symptoms recognition and preventive measures implementation. Before each seminar, the students conducted meticulous research and analysis by collecting stool samples from volunteer residents. Through this hands-on approach, participants received personalized recommendations, and those diagnosed with infections received appropriate medical guidance and prescriptions.
Students from the Department of Biology in a SL experience as part of the
Medical Parasitology and Immunology programme
Mary Jane Flores, Anthony Contreras, Bridget Arellano, and Jessica Joyce De Guia participated in this activity, which Evelyn Laranga and Marietta Guanzón coordinated.
When reflecting on these experiences, the De La Salle University Uniservitate team considered that “beyond the constraints of traditional classrooms, such initiatives exemplify the transformative potential of education, fostering inclusion and empowering those often marginalized by society.”
Students from the Department of Biology in a SL experience as part of
the Medical Parasitology and Immunology programme