Community Extension Service

Community Extension Service is one of my favorite activities as a Marian student. It will also be one thing I’ll miss doing when I leave the Philippines.

(c) 2009

I remember our last year’s CES when we went to the Correctional Institute for Women. It really changed the way I think about what’s life in prison. And I miss my partner, Shamillah. She made a promise that when the time she goes out, we’ll meet again. :)

Emirose and I

Anjenette, Jean, Me, Vicky, Fermina

DPs. Oh God I miss them. :(

Emirose, Me, Vicky, Roanne

Yesterday’s CES, we went to Hospicio de San Jose in Binondo, Manila. We were assigned to have toddlers and special children as partners. Mine’s name was Jessa. At first I thought her name was Tessa until the nurse said so. When we went to the meeting hall, lots of children ran and embraced me but they all left afterwards except for Jessa. She was so sweet and very pretty. Too bad it’s forbidden to post pictures of children from HSJ. T_T Jessa loves coloring and playing. My arms and back were aching (until now) because she always wanted me to give her a piggyback ride and run around the hall, but they were all worth it.

Before going home, we were allowed to take our partners to the nursery. So Vicky came with me and we followed Jessa because she’s the only one who knows the way. The nursery was huge and cute, although it was kind of hot inside. I found out that it was already their nap time so I changed Jessa’s sandals into slippers and asked her to give me a kiss on the cheek. I even stopped myself from crying because I might give my classmates an impression of being too shallow. Haha. I said goodbye to Jessa but she didn’t respond. She was too sad about me leaving. She even told me while we were playing if I could go back the next day so that we could play again. Those words made my chest feel painful. I didn’t show her that I was crying because I want her to be as strong as can be. I just hope that she can grow happily and independently. :(