a fulfilling immersion experience
Poverty is rampant in the Philippines. It is not surprising to say that each one of us has his own share of experiences in terms of his dealings with the poor, or their [the poor] dealings with him. Everyday we see the poor wherever we go – in streets, in school, in the Church, in the malls, even in our neighborhood. They are members of the society where we live, thus, they have become an unconscious part of our lives. Eventually, we become immune in seeing them. It becomes too comforting to act indifferently. In thinking rationally, we end up judging them, blaming their deficiency on their laziness and incompetence. I used to act indifferently and think judgmentally when it comes to dealing with the poor. These changed when I had my first immersion in February 2003. The venue was in PGH Pediatric Ward. I had to complete twelve hours of labor trials program in three visits.