Silliman hosts students from Japan, USA for service-learning program

DUMAGUETE CITY -- Silliman University (SU) through its Office of Community Engagement and Service-Learning, hosted students from International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo, Japan and from George Mason University (GMU), Virginia, USA for the SU Service-Learning Program in June and August, respectively.

Each university sent 16 students to SU’s program.  Students from ICU rendered their service to long-time partner agencies and communities of the University, such as the City Social Welfare and Development Office’s La Casa Esperanza and Dumaguete City Youth Home; Little Children of the Philippines Foundation Inc.; Gawad Kalinga Jamalipayon Village in Jawa, Valencia; and Barangay Boloc-Boloc, Dauin.

SU students Blaire Bethel Borromeo, Heini Borromeo, Mel Franz Contreras, John Louie Delmo, Abigail Faith Maraat, Umirica Partosa, Urseevi Tubio Jr., and Mercidita Yanquin accompanied the ICU students as their “student buddies.”

Meanwhile, GMU students participated in service-learning activities with the Little Children of the Philippines Foundation, Inc.; Dumaguete City Youth Home; Gawad Kalinga Jamalipayon Village, Jawa, Valencia; and Barangay Boloc-Boloc, Dauin.

The GMU students were accompanied by Dr. Al B. Fuertes, GMU’s Global Education Program Director and 2019 Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee; Helen Gaspar; and SU student buddies John Louie Delmo, Karla Encarguez, Rowena Lasuta, Abigail Maraat, Atty. Ceres Mangibin, Rawan Minalang, Ivy Pantinople, and Nikko Jay Venturillo.

Service-learning is a teaching pedagogy that facilitates community immersion, cultural understanding, and a broadening of one’s perspective on local issues. Participants are able to stay with host families, participate in a community’s day-to-day activities, and assist in livelihood projects.

Silliman’s  partnership with ICU and GMU for its service-learning program began in 2008. (Photos: SU-OIP)