“What can students do to make their summer break productive and fulfilling?”
As the academic year 2022-2023 comes to a close, some students might view summer break as an opportunity to escape academic stress and responsibilities and simply relax. Others may have plans for their summer break, whether it’s checking off items from their bucket list or allowing their minds to rest and recharge.
However, some people also see summer break as a time to work, enjoy holidays, learn new things, and develop hobbies. Some want to use their summer break to further explore themselves and consider how they can be agents of change.
For the Kapawa Hu Paglaum Scholars, their nearly three-month break has provided an opportunity for self-discovery, resulting in holidays filled with valuable memories. But how did they achieve this? Let’s take a look at their activities, which might also provide ideas for future summer breaks.
In June, as most of the scholars completed their academic year, including nine successful graduates, they all participated in a recollection. The event emphasized embracing differences, diverse perspectives, inclusivity, and fostering new ideas and creativity under the theme ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made’. Although we’ve encountered this theme repeatedly, but as we journey through life’s different stages, its impact shifts and changes. It’s in our hands how we’ll grasp and apply it in our unique ways.
For the first time, the Kapawa Hu Paglaum College scholarship and formation program launched “Pakigduma 2023”, a summer program and exposure for scholars aimed at strengthening various aspects or pillars of formation, including academics, spiritual, cultural, psychosocial, leadership, and professional/entrepreneurial skills.
Scholars were assigned to different mission areas such as Cabanglasan, Miarayon, and Zamboangita. Some stayed at Kapawa Hu Paglaum Dormitory to assist in the development of IP SEED (Social Enterprise). Some scholars planned for the construction of a new Kapawa dorm, and some were also sent to Bendum to teach children at the IP school called Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center. For them, these experiences helped them better appreciate the opportunity they received to share knowledge with those in need. “The timing and the plan may not align with what we want and how we want it but the lessons remain. We arrived there (at APC Education Center) feeling unprepared and it was different from our expectations. But then, I realized what would happen if I gave up on this and didn’t continue what I was supposed to do in this area. and there a thought strikes me that the reason why I’m here – is because I can do it, the people there and the people who sent me here have faith in me. Also, I’m also here to discover how ready and prepared I am for reality. Deep inside my heart, it’s not just about the exposure, I could have left because I already graduated, but I realized that I’m here to gradually adapt to reality. I understood that if I don’t do this, perhaps later in my life when faced with something even more challenging, I won’t be able to handle it, so it was a stepping stone for me to unleash my potential.” Deither Dum-ogan, A secondary Education major in Filipino graduate and a scholar of Kapawa Hu Paglaum said, sharing his experiences he had during his stay at APC.
After journeying with their ka-dumahan or in English, means companion, they moved on to preparing for the upcoming OrSem and Kahimunan, which happen annually. The Orientation Seminar is for the newly accepted Kapawa Hu Paglaum Scholars to kick off their new journey together with the other scholars. Various sessions and topics are provided to them, offering academic, psycho-social, and indigenous insights into what it means to live as a scholar of Kapawa hu Paglaum.
The “Kahimunan,” a gathering of scholars from different tribes in Bukidnon, happens annually. It serves as a time to revisit their early years as scholars, filled with motivation, and to understand why they are called Kapawa Hu Paglaum (Light of Hope). It’s a moment for them to stand tall as empowered sources of inspiration and reconnect with their fellow scholars, fostering a sense of togetherness.
The week-long gathering also includes different and yet fruitful sessions focusing on self-discovery, the influence of diversity on their identities, and how this diversity contributes to their collective identity as indigenous people. They also showcase their unique talents, such as songs, dances, and stories. While delving into their past, they aim to better understand themselves. One Kapawa Scholar, Need Heart Quiblatan, shared a reflection: “It’s not about condoning past mistakes of our ancestors; instead, it’s about accepting them and using them as inspiration for improvement.” Even amid mainstream culture, the Kapawa Scholars proudly embrace what makes them unique as Indigenous young people. They find ways to display these qualities to the broader society while preserving the traditions passed down by their ancestors to the current generation.
Lastly, a session in which they eagerly took part is a visioning exercise, identifying community issues categorized in Education, Culture, Economy, and Environment. With their Kapawa spirit as their driving force, they courageously presented thoughtful plans and visionary projects to tackle these concerns head-on.
With this, we are hopeful that the Kapawa scholars will stay true to their life goals. As they work toward their dreams, may they continue to inspire hope in others. Even when faced with challenges, may their determination remain strong, and may they remain committed to upholding the traditions passed down by their ancestors, taking the initiative to effectively transmit these invaluable values to the next generation.
The summer break activities of Kapawa Hu Paglaum Scholars may not be like the usual summer breaks of others, but they have gained skills and acquired knowledge. Their journey shows that even simple opportunities can lead to growth and change in their respective communities and the world.
By Fr. Lax, JCIM