CSRGOVE Service Learning Activity: Epiphany Camarin, Caloocan City

Before my first service learning activity

     The first time I tried to attend the service learning activity, I was disappointed. I had just missed the jeep that would take us to Camarin, Caloocan City. I had arrived just two minutes after my class had already departed for the designated location. I vowed that the next time I was given the chance to attend the service learning activity that I would be very punctual. Beforehand, I had already tried to relate the relevance of what I had learned in CSRGOVE to the activity that I had to attend. Honestly, at first, I did not see the importance of it. Luckily, as sessions passed by I was more enlightened. I realized that success isn't only measured in the profits in revenue of a company. As an entrepreneur you do indeed measure success by money. However, as a  person, you measure it by fulfillment. Then I realized that a hands-on activity on giving back to the community can further enlighten my sense of social responsibility. And thus, I was given the "next time" that I had been waiting for. 

During my first service learning activity

     When I got to Camarin Caloocan City, I realized that what I thought before to be insignificant help coming from us students was actually valuable. It was a small cooperative that had only 200 members out of the 80,000 population of the community. It was now that I said to myself "I am sure that all companies start out small" and it made me want to help this cooperative prosper. My group mates and I were in-charge of promotions. I realized that helping promote this small cooperative can help them increase their manpower and profitability. In my small way I dreamt leaving a big impact on this community and this cooperative. The way the cooperative wanted to give back to the community made me realize that for a company to be successful, it must give back to the community as well. This would enable the community to increase their purchasing power thus generating more revenue for the company. I realized that Corporate Social Responsibility was helping both the company and the community. This session had opened my eyes to the importance of every stakeholder involved in a certain situation. We must take care of the people who also take care of us. I ended this session with a sense of fulfillment especially after what I learned and after meeting new people.

After my first service learning activity

     My realizations from that learning activity will forever be significant. I believe that that simple outreach will help shape the entrepreneur that I wish to be in the future. Corporate Social Responsibility is as important to a businessman and to a company as any other factor contributing to being a great organization. You will not only measure what you've gained from the revenue you generate but also by the respect you earn from your community. The incorporation of ethics and values in the systematic approach to the governance of a company will help ensure a more successful future for the organization. 
   
     I am honored to have been given a chance to be enlightened as I was. It is an experience that will surely guide me throughout my future career in the corporate world. My decisions in my corporate battles and endeavors will mirror what I have learned so far from this course.