The Arayat Workcamp Experience

In our master's classes in psychology, our professor highlighted the importance of the word "experiential". We study many concepts and techniques in helping people, however, unless we go out in the field to actually practice these concepts unless we experience them--we will not have a full understanding of them.

I remember in high school, there was a lot of talk about "service". There were programs that enabled us to "serve" less fortunate kids who were not receiving adequate education. While tutoring them is a form of service, I was just required to do so. 

In college, I also did some forms of "service". Although this time it was voluntary, I did it for my personal benefit. I gained experience, had fun, and at the same time I got to put something in my resume.

But unlike the previous activities, the Arayat Workcamp was different. For one, it was more inconvenient. We slept on the ground for a week. The toilet of the place where we stayed did not flush, and the drainage was clogged too. We had the chance to clean these comfort rooms. Food supply was scarce. We ate very little. We carried a 10 foot pole up the mountain along with our hiking stuff and other things.

On the way back from the peak, we cleaned up the mess of many irresponsible hikers who do not follow the mountaineers' code of "leaving nothing but footprints". We were able to pick up accumulated bits of junk food wrappers and mineral water bottles and other trash and were able to fill seven sacks.  We dug holes on the ground and planted seedlings, which in the process, left some of our hands bruised. And in everything, we helped each other grow in the experience, smiling all throughout, giving constructive criticism when the need arose, but still in a cheerful, positive manner.

Why did we have to do this? Because we volunteered. Why? Because we wanted to.

I know that the things we experienced were just a dim reflection of the real meaning of service, but nonetheless the concept of "service" became more familiar to me. You volunteer your time, effort, energy when you could have been doing other things, not for the resume, nor for the experience, but simply because you want to be useful for others.

About the author: Michael Joseph B. Luistro teaches General Psychology and Principles of Learning at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, where he is also finishing his Master's Degree.