Here’s my dilemma: with my college duties in full swing, where every moment seems accounted for and every task competes for my attention, the addition of yet another responsibility can feel like digging my own grave.
This is how it was for me, and how I think it is for most student leaders during the 10th Interact- Rotary Youth Leader Awards (RYLA) Boot Camp: we are living a life of a balancing act. Such tightrope is walked by every modern student leader by juggling academic pursuits, extracurricular commitments, and personal growth.
Allow me to paint the scene: I’m a staff writer at FORWARD Publications from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) all while tackling the rigors of my demanding pre-med course. It’s a schedule that would make even the most experienced multitasker pause for breath. But then, an organization dedicated to conducting outreach programs and supporting marginalized communities comes knocking at my door.
For me, this opportunity was both a blessing and a curse.
The chance of making a substantial difference in the lives of others is undeniable, yet the practicalities of time management and self-care loom ominously. The new organization demands attention—frequent meetings, endless calls to coordinate events, and a level of commitment that threatens to tip the delicate balance of my already hectic life.
Amidst the chaos of conflicting priorities, the question arises: should I abandon ship as early as now? It’s a tempting thought.
But then, on March 24, 2024, the second day of the Bootcamp, we organized an outreach program at an orphanage in Pilipog Cordova named Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation Philippines, Inc. (ASFFPI).
In the Children’s Haven, amidst the laughter of children and the warmth of shared meals, it gave me a sense of purpose and meaning. As fellow student leaders and I helped the kids learn to wash their hands, distributed health kits, and shared in the simple joy of a meal, I realized that one can never be “too busy” to help.
Reflecting on the theme of the 10th Interact-RYLA Bootcamp, “Leading with Holistic Leadership, Optimum Development, Productivity and Positivity, and Emotional Intelligence (HOPE),” a moment of clarity emerged.
In the midst of my doubts and hesitations, the act of giving becomes a source of renewal, a reminder of the inherent value in reaching out to others. The smiles of the children, their eyes alight with hope and gratitude, inspire a profound shift in perspective.
Suddenly, the weight of my commitments feels lighter, with the knowledge that our efforts are making a difference, however small.
At that moment, I understood that my role as a student leader is not defined by the titles I hold or the organizations I represent, but by the impact I make on the lives of others.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already ventured into the realm of Rotary, or perhaps you’re eager to do so.
Perhaps, like me, you’re juggling numerous commitments that consume most (if not all) your time.
But when the call for leadership and Rotary arises, answer it boldly. By embracing this call, we embark on a journey to craft a brighter world, spreading hope one outreach program at a time.
