By Aaron Ernest Cruz, News Department
Women’s Month celebration is extended for the ANGAT Iskolar PUP (AIP) as its Peacebuilding and Security Committee conducted an outreach program at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sanctuary Center at Mandaluyong on Saturday, April 6, to provide a refresher for the minds of the Persons Deprived of Liberty.
Led by AIP volunteers, the short program was filled with engaging activities, such as a Zumba session and dishwashing liquid soap-making but the event highlights the utmost recognition and support for women with mental health issues at the Sanctuary Center.
The network volunteer organization also gave in-kind donations, such as canned goods and water, to cater to their basic needs, in line with the program’s theme, “Heart Check: Peace Starts from Within”.
In an interview with PUP Campus Journalists, Adrianne Athea Atender, the project head of the said program, said that she discovered the DSWD Sanctuary Center through her church ministry, and its inspiring stories behind it urged her to usher in an outreach program like this.
“A safe space for the ladies na meron ding mga sariling pinagdaraanan. When I knew na hindi sila gaanong nabibisita, few organizations and groups na lang din daw ang bumibisita sa kanila, there I knew na we should celebrate life and womanhood with them. The goal is to give them a short break from the challenges they have in life,” Atender said.
Consequently, she then added her and other volunteers’ insights into the whole program regarding the approach for this kind of initiative.
“We should be sensitive; kailangan aware tayo na hindi talaga tayo lahat pantay-pantay ng pag-unawa sa buhay. Kaya’t kailangan matuto tayong makitao at umintindi,” she emphasized.
Arlene Antonio, one of the houseparents at the center, expressed her gratitude towards the volunteers who lend their time to aiding the needs of women with mental issues under her care.
“Malalaking pasasalamat dahil hindi ni’yo nakakalimutan ‘yong mga ganitong sanctuary na naisipan ni’yong tulungan. Kailangan talaga nila ng tulong para ma-improve ‘yong kalagayan nila,” Antonio stated.
The said program was concluded through a speech led by Rei Domanais, the co-convenor of ANGAT Iskolar PUP, where he emphasized the organization’s aim to help every community, especially the marginalized sector, and shall continue to hold programs and seminars to live up to PUP’s infamous line, “Mula sa’yo, para sa Bayan.”
PUP Campus Journalists 