Post typhoon livelihood program through SL : love into action

With catastrophes hitting the Philippines, it is just but fitting for a Christian institution to focus on what is most beneficial to the general public: Putting in Love Into Action. Pilgrim Christian College has two campuses: the main campus and the annex. In December 2011, Sendong (Washi) brought flash floods which reached the second floor roofs at the annex. Lives were lost in the neighboring community. In 2012-2013, a special project aimed at helping qualified Sendong (Washi) survivors or partners with a more systematic recovery program was planned by students, from the School of Business, with the community. A certain amount for assistance as seed money was provided for the partners to take off with. With this, the Service-Learning Program of Pilgrim Christian College was made more enhanced through experiential learning. Planning was through assessment and coordination with the community. Action was through the provision of bookkeeping seminar, loan for the home scale livelihood activities and keeping up with ledgers among the students and partners. Reflection was through processing with students. Finally, celebration was through culminating activities with sharing of meaningful experiences in the presence of all parties involved. Problems met were on grasp of students on the concepts of Service-Learning while still in the classroom, traditional interests of local government unit officials, non-payment of loan, and still-to-be-strengthened criteria for grading students. Suggestions for better partnership with the community zeroed in on the problems met. Implementation of this project was strengthened by the supportive engagement of the administrators. In spite of the problems, most parties are positively moving towards the evolution of Service-Learning especially on aspects unique to PCC and the communities it serves