STICHTING BAYANIHAN CELEBRATES VRIJWILLIGERS DAG

By Lana Kristine Jelenjev- Flores
Bayanihan Voorlichter

 

Last November 21, Saturday, families and friends of Bayanihan Volunteers gathered at the Boeg in Australielaan 6, Utrecht for a very special event- Vrijwilligers Dag (Volunteers’ Day). The program was organized for  Bayanihan volunteers and supporters in appreciation of their commitment and service to Stichting Bayanihan.  Highlights of the activity were sharing of personal experiences by volunteers, workshop on the Merit of Volunteer Work given by Jan Moes, Senior Trainer PRC (Project and Process Management research and Consultancy) and the handing out  of Certificates of Appreciation to  Bayanihan volunteers and supporters.

Vrijwilligers Dag, an annual activity aimed at showing gratitude to the men, women and families that have and continue to support the works of Bayanihan was attended by more than 40 people. During the sharing of “Waarom Ben Ik een Bayanihan Vrijwilligster? (Why am I a Bayanihan Volunteer?),”Cora van Campenhout –Alarcon, pioneer board member and  current chairperson of Stichting Bayanihan shared her 18 years service to the foundation. What started out as her dream to help women has blossomed to what Stichting Bayanihan is now. Her feeling of happiness for helping others and learning from those helped was jointly articulated by Cecilia Lansang who has been with Bayanihan for 12 years. She expressed her personal experience of being one of the beneficiaries of Bayanihan’s services and now tries to help back by actively participating as Bayanihan voorlichter and helping with social works.  Active new members like Tess de Man-Selibio, 5 years volunteer , current board member and voorlichter of Bayanihan along with the author and Bayanihan’s voorlichter  Lana Jelenjev-Flores, shared how their participation with Bayanihan helped in adjusting to their new lives here in the Netherlands and at the same time in finding satisfaction in helping others.

The workshop “De Meerwaarde van Vrijwilligers’Werk/The Merit of Volunteer Work” conveyed  a lot of interesting and creative output from the participants. The attendees were divided into four  groups and each were asked to make a collage on the merit of Bayanihan volunteer work. As what most participants have shared after the workshop, the overall experience of brainstorming with other volunteers both old and new over Bayanihan work and what it takes to become a Bayanihan volunteer was a stimulating experience

Last in the programme was the giving of Certificates of Appreciation to volunteers and supporters. One of the volunteers and former  Bayanihan board member, Myrla Danao, generously made the special pearl earrings given  to the Bayanihan women volunteers.  Certificates of Appreciation and bottles of wine from “De Wereld Winkel” were also given to the partners of the Bayanihan volunteers as a symbol of gratitude to their tireless support and help. It is admitted by most of the volunteers that without their partner’s understanding such efforts to volunteer and be involved will not be possible. Munting Nayon publisher Eddie and Orquid Flores  were also given Certificates of Appreciation as token for their relentless support in publishing Bayanihan articles. Likewise Atty. Pendong for his selfless service as legal adviser, resource person and lawyer to the clients of Bayanihan.  An emotional part of the program was when Bayanihan Coordinator and Social Cultural Worker, Diana Oosterbeek- Latoza, was surprised by the Bayanihan Board with a Certificate of Appreciation for her outstanding work and devotion to Bayanihan along with a gift cheque for dinner and theatre for two.

Before the program was over, a Salu-salo  (potluck dinner) was shared and socialization with karaoke followed till the evening as part of the merrymaking

One memorable quote on volunteerism by Cherishe Archer is “God and angels don't get paid even though theirs is some of the most important work around.  Ditto for volunteers.”  By having such activity to honor and appreciate volunteers, Stichting Bayanihan through the Board and their Coordinator is showing that there is a reward for helping. It may not be in monetary form but the emotional rewards are plenty and putting the highlight to those who have been selfless is a noteworthy endeavor.

Cora van Camperhout-Alarcon sharing her 18 years experience working for Bayanihan.

Cecilia Lansang giving a testimony of how she was a recipient of Bayanihan’s work and how she has been involved for the past 12 years in helping other women.

Tess de Man- Selibio current board member and voorlichter  shares her 5 years experience doing social and advocacy works for Bayanihan.

Lana Jelenjev who recently joined Bayanihan shares how the experience is giving her an outlet for her personal growth and helping her adjustment  here in the Netherlands.

Happy smiles from Bayanihan volunteers, supporters and their families.

Bayanihan Board  giving appreciation to Diana Oosterbeek –Latoza for  her selfless devotion and commitment to the foundation.
(left to right Diana, Bayanihan board members (Cora van Campenhout-Alarcon- chairperson, Rose Slotema-Haboc –secretary, Veronica Balbuena-treasurer & Tess de Man-Selibio, member)

Jan Moes, Senior Trainer of PRC, gave the training on The Merit of Volunteer Work

The winning collage on “The Merits of Being a Bayanihan Volunteer”.

Giving appreciation to Eddie and Orquid Flores of Munting Nayon for their support in publishing Bayanihan articles and activities.