I was supposed to travel home when I was invited to join the EuroAsi Kick-Off conference here last February. I gave it a shot since I was actually looking for volunteering opportunities that time. One month after that meeting, the first module of training was held.
Our first training was conducted by Federico Gaviano of TDM 2000 International. The topic was about the Management of NGO. I felt happy to see some familiar faces during the training. But above all, what makes me excited to attend every session is the sharing of ideas of each participant. We were all from all walks of life with different background. But there is one thing that we all share – our care for Boracay.
The training
As a journalist, I always encounter non-government organizations in the field. Upon working with some, I became aware of how they change and impact the community they serve at.
During the first module, Federico shared to us how a real NGO actually works. He also shared to us practical lessons and the most important aspect of how to set up our own NGO. He also thought us on how to formulate Vision, Mission and Goal in case we plan to start one.
The practical lessons given by Federico actually pushed me to finally work on the idea conceptualized with a friend. A friend and I have been planning to start our NGO but we actually don’t know where to start. We hope to put up an NGO that will benefit the community in Isla Gigantes. It is an island in Iloilo where kids have limited access to education.
Because of the trainings focus on the idea of volunteerism, I think it encouraged me to do something that is different from my normal routine.
(Karen Bermejo)