When Passion Meets Purpose: The Kapatid Initiative

Sometimes, all it takes is one summer, two students, and some of their passions to make a difference. That was the case for Grade 11 New Lifers Jairus Jacob Lee and Yejoon Cho, who decided to maximize their last summer before entering senior high school by stepping out of their comfort zones and doing something good for the community. Guided by teachers and their interests in certain fields, the pair worked tirelessly to achieve their goal, eventually starting what became the Kapatid Initiative—a program that aims to bridge the learning gaps in public schools and create a fun learning experience for children who are eager to learn but may not always have the chance to.  

Not Just Another School Day

The Kapatid Initiative is a program where student volunteers reach out to public schools and teach their learners basic math and English. The initiative’s founders explained that their program was initially targeted toward Grade 4 students, as this is the grade level where students have just finished learning basic operations and sentence structures. They hoped to bridge any gaps between the fundamental concepts taught in early preschool years and the more complex lessons taught in elementary school. However, the initiative was not just meant to fill students’ days with even more lectures. Through different games and activities, the volunteers tried to get to know their students on a more personal level, reaching out to them as their “ates” and “kuyas”—thus the name “The Kapatid Initiative.” The volunteers sought to transform the school into a comfortable environment where the student teachers and young learners could simply be friends, learning from and with each other. 

The Pilot Launch 

The process to get the program started was far from simple or easy. Lee and Cho knew that they wanted to do something for the community, but weren’t sure what exactly they wanted to achieve. Thus, they reached out to MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) teachers like Grade 10 Science teacher and Science Subject Leader Archie Jerome Maramag, who helped them define their objectives and create their project plan. Once they fleshed out the details of their initiative, they reached out to MGCNLCA Principal Evangeline Co to gather the school’s support. After receiving her advice on the next steps to take, the pair decided to expand their team, reaching out to their batchmates and eventually forming their current team of 17 student volunteers. With the help of other teachers like Grade 10 Contemporary Issues teacher Elgin Mabolo and Grade 1 Units of Inquiry teacher Pauline Tiu, the students were able to reach out to public schools and create lesson plans based on the Department of Education’s curriculum. 

After reaching out to a few schools, the group was able to successfully find their first beneficiary: Palatiw Elementary School in Pasig City. There, they spent three Saturdays teaching the students. However, while looking for a beneficiary was a struggle, implementing their program was another challenge entirely. Facing the language barrier and a slight lack of preparation, the student volunteers weren’t sure how to begin. However, with the help of the teachers accompanying them, the program progressed, and everything began falling into place. While they continued to face some mishaps along the way, such as having errors in their worksheets, the program was an overall success. It concluded with a closing ceremony with certificates, speeches from the volunteers and students, and a few tearful moments. 

The volunteers all left the school with unforgettable memories. For Lee, the experience was a reminder of how blessed we are and a realization that public school students are intelligent and express a strong desire to learn; many are just restricted by their financial situations. Cho shared the same sentiments, adding that working with his batchmates and seeing the program come to life made him feel incredibly grateful and motivated to do more for the community. 

Looking Into the Future 

In the coming year, Lee and Cho hope to expand their team, encourage New Lifers from other levels to join them, and reach out to more schools. However, this growth isn’t just meant to last for the next few quarters or the following academic year. The two desire for the Kapatid Initiative’s operations to continue even after they graduate from MGCNLCA and maybe even expand beyond education. Through the Kapatid Initiative, the two Grade 11 students aim to inspire students and provide a model that other schools could also adopt.  

The Kapatid Initiative is a testament to how anyone, no matter their age, can use their platforms and passions to make a meaningful impact on someone’s life. According to the two students, what’s important is facing the fear of failure and the unknown and simply pursuing one’s goals. As Cho puts it, “Once you start and take that first step, the next steps will naturally follow and the path forward becomes much clearer.” 

So, how about you? What are your passions? 

You never know how doing something you love might create ripples and bring even a little bit of hope to someone’s life. Find a friend or two to tag along, and you might surprise yourself with a fulfilling journey filled with warm memories and lessons of a lifetime.