By: Joel O. Marcaida, Executive Director

National Youth for Servant Leadership Inc.

On the second day of the Bayanihan Supply Chain Conference and Trade Exhibit organized by the Coalition of Socially Responsible Small and Medium Enterprises in Asia (CSRSME Asia) at the University of the Philippines on November 14-15, 2008, a meeting between the National Youth for Servant Leadership (NYSL) and On Eagle’s Wings Foundation (OEWF) resulted in the organization of four (4) Bayanihan Centers (BCs) of young people, namely: Generation BC Jesus, Jesus, Calvary Church BC, University of Caloocan City BC, and Carmelite BC . Each Center had a bayanihan facilitator from the NYSL, who will also act as the Account officer of the BC.

The Carmelite Bayanihan Center (CBC) was the first bayanihan youth center to become operational after the conference in UP. On November 22, 2008, they held a meeting and twenty (20) youth agreed to start their savings program. Each member committed to save P10 per week and elected their officers, namely: Jeannet Borrega – Chairman; Ronald Sawa-an – Vice Chairman; Joana Marie Calma – Secretary; Janille Macahito – Treasurer; and Jaymar Albiola – Auditor. They are the leaders who will coordinate and plan for the development of their group.

The oath-taking ceremony of the officers and members of the Carmelite Bayanihan Center was conducted last December 29, 2008. Their parents, friends and some residents in their area joined the program. Ms. Hilda Panganiban, Executive Director of CSRSME Asia, gave her inspirational message and challenged those in attendance. The event became a fun activity because of the games and presentations of the youth. NYSL gave small gifts, courtesy of On Eagle’s Wings Foundation, to the members of CBC and the residents.

Like other organizations, the Carmelite Bayanihan Center also experienced many trials and challenges. There are times when they stop giving their savings, when other youth would criticize and mock them, and when members clash and disagree. With the help of NYSL facilitators Joel O. Marcaida and Noelle Contessa Y. Paz, with the additional support of CSRSME Asia, the Christian Businessmen’s Forum International Inc. and On Eagle’s Wings Foundation, these challenges were overcome. Their greatest achievement is their persistence in pursuing their dreams and aspirations for their community.

They now have over Php2,000 in savings which they will use to start a small business this summer.

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(from left: Kuya Ben, Ptr. Angelo, Joan, Ivy, Joel, Jaylord, Lolo Larry Norton, Thomas Grime, Lola Ruthie, Ptr. Jonathan, Ptr. Mike, Sharon and Barbie)

On Eagle’s Wings Foundation founders Lolo Larry Norton, Lola Ruthie Vega-Norton, Thomas Grime and Ben Quinones give P10, 000 check as seed money to National Youth for Servant Leadership Inc. (NYSL) during the Bayanihan Supply Chain Conference & Trade Exhibit on November 14-15, 2008 at the College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon city. During this activity OEWF founders and NYSL core group and members conducted a meeting with over 100 youth which resulted in the formation of 4 Bayanihan Centers (BC) in Caloocan (Carmelite-Tala BC, Jesus Generation BC, University of Caloocan BC, and Jesus Calvary BC). The seed money is used in financing microenterprises of NYSL members.

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