WITNESSING empathy amidst societal challenges is a beginning of change. While some might not have yet recognized the opportunity they can make for their community, it is important to not be disconnected and see within the world’s reality.  In high school, we are always asked along the lines of: “As a student, what can you contribute to your own country?” With such a simple question, you would be thinking to yourself ‘what am I capable of doing?’

According to data presented by the Commision on Elections, more than half of the 65.7 million voters in the Philippines during the 2022 elections were ages between 18 and 41. They claimed this as a ‘prime mover’ being that a total of 37,015,901 fall under that age bracket, which showed that the majority of the youth registered for the national elections. This information says a lot on how, for their young age, they were encouraged, if not awakened to practice and participate in democracy for our country. It  may seem small, but the act of voting is part of recognizing oneself as a democratic citizen of your country - and that is vital.  To answer the simple question of what you can contribute, there is more than just voting, following rules and the laws, as well as being a good citizen to your neighbors. 

There is always a way in helping other people, but if you are dedicated to making an impact and creating development, volunteering is filled with opportunities for people to see the influence they have to make better changes. As the world develops, there have also been more problems that each community is facing. We are met by the consequences of our own actions and there is no other being to fix it but us. To understand change and to create one, it simply starts with having empathy. 

In our technologically advanced society, we have access to discern and educate ourselves with what is happening in our surroundings and being able to easily be of service to. Such an example is the pandemic situation that has happened in our country, where there are areas that are suffering from food insecurity while also being unemployed. 

An empathic citizen was able to come up with the ‘Community Pantry’ in which many have copied and volunteered to aid the people in need. What starts in helping people is to realize and comprehend their situation. Today, there are various volunteer programs that the youth can start serving. Programs like Angat Buhay, focused on fighting against poverty, and have several key advocacy areas like public education, women empowerment, rural development etc. Other programs also include Childhope Philippines Foundation, Inc. that advocates for the cause of street children with a purpose of empowering them and providing access to basic education and counseling. Enhancing Lives and Developing Indegenous Peoples CommUnities through Education (EDICUTE) Inc., is committed to empower Filipino indigenous people with equal opportunities and promoting education to address and reduce illiteracy rate among Filipino indegenous people. Some programs also include nature conservation like Fostering Education and Environment for Development, Inc. (FEED) that focuses on environmental and conservation projects. 

Volunteerism is an appreciable service to your community because it develops a solid sense of support system and values great change to the lives of people. Let yourself be educated and recognize the struggles of your people because being socially aware is a privilege in which not everyone has access to the truth or information.  Change is a process that needs to be constantly supported. Now, tell me, as a young adult living in the reality of your country, what can you contribute?