“Everything there is and was begun with a dream…”
That’s how things are. We must keep on dreaming to reach what we want and to have what we desire, but know what, reality is always better than our dreams… and is worse than our nightmares…
I first saw the Purok 15-A Calot near the community we lived. I thought that was the right project for me. We visited the area and found out that there was an abandoned basketball court, so I immediately grabbed the opportunity and chose it for my Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme Project. Everything went well, I had talked to the Purok President about it and they seemed to respond nicely, until we’ve found out that the land where the basketball court stood, was not a government property and was owned by three Babor siblings. I have opened to them that I can’t start the project if they won’t be willing to donate the area. I did not give up convincing them, but I guess sometimes, I have to accept that some things are not meant to happen…
I gave up on the project… and the Scheme itself…
It was Christmas time when I had the time for myself. I was relaxed and felt comfortable with what was happening, until the time when I was alone, looking at my GSP uniform.
It was a Sunday morning when we passed the
With the encouragement of my parents and the push of my adviser, I chose the
The start of the project was not that easy. I have attended the weekly session of the Barangay Villa Kananga and introduced the project. Although the people I have talked to were accommodating and warm, I still realized that we can never expect the people to respond the way we wanted them to. During the first pahina, only a few came; my work group and three volunteers from the community. On the second pahina, no one from the community attended, it was just Kagawad Albay who helped me measure the distances between plant boxes and the other members of the work group and volunteers from different organizations who were there, cleaning the area with dumped garbage.
We have coordinated the Purok 2 & 3 Presidents of Villa Kananga, thinking that they were accountable for the area, but they said that it was far and they could not take full responsibility. I started feeling alone with just my parents on my side.
We then found out that the street was a part of three Baragays, Villa Kananga, J.P. Rizal and Imadejas. I joined the J.P. Rizal’s meeting and introduced the project. They were very supportive during the session, however during the actual pahina, the same thing happened. Maybe they were too busy to take part in the project. I have again coordinated with the Barangay Captain of Imadejas but sadly he said he was too busy to be involved in this project and that he can not help me.
It was that time that I felt how hard the challenges in the world are. I almost cried being neglected thrice. But my family was there, showing me the effort and inspiration no one has ever shown me. They proved to me, that with GOD, nothing is impossible.
I was advised to coordinate with the City government since the area was a government property. They seemed to like the project and immediately responded, through the leadership of Mayor Democrito Plaza III and Mr. Roy Rosales, Administrative Officer of the City Engineer’s Office. With their help, everything went smoothly. There has been gravelling and roadside grass cutting, installation of street lights and also, through Dr. Aurora Zaportiza, OIC-City Assessor, we were provided 14 student summer job workers who temporarily took charge of the project, with my presence.
I have then asked the religious sectors through Rev. Father Jun Diamante and Sister Letty Gatela for help. They have counseled me with love and understanding and since no one was willing to take responsibility, Father Diamante offered that the project, ECOLOGY: ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION AND ROADSIDE GREENING will be turned over to the church with his leadership and companionship of the Block 9 president, Mrs. Pelagia Joven who lives near the area.
“I guess there’s just a point in my life where I just have to accept that not everything I wish or hope will come true. A time when I just have to gather up the courage to let go and just entrust everything to GOD, knowing he won’t allow me to be in pain for the sake of hurting but for the sake of learning. One day I will truly understand that he knows me more than I know myself, that even when I feel alone and misunderstood, and even sometimes unloved and used, there's still one person who knows all my flaws yet loves me unconditionally like no human can.”
Being a leader is hard. Everything is your fault. But sometimes you just have to let it happen and start leading. Chances are that we fail or win… But we always have a choice… To be the best of ourselves and do what we have to do no matter what.
Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery. I guess that’s how things are and that’s how the CHIEF GIRL SCOUT MEDAL SCHEME PROJECT molded me into a better human being. Change does not happen overnight, I know it, but it sure takes time. For it is only through change that we can prove to the world that there’s more to life than regrets…
Beautiful lives don’t just happen. They are made, every single day, with much love, prayer and sacrifice. Let us be reminded that “IN THE END” only three things matter….
….How fully you lived
….How deeply you loved
….How gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.
Dorothy Joy E. Bacomo
Agusan Council
