 "When I was immersed in the stories and lives of the kids, it became a turning point for me to eventually stay with 2KK and be a Kuya Migi to our scholars, kids and fellow volunteers."E Thank you to all volunteers most especially the 2KK Mentors who have been so generous with their time. We all live very busy and fast-paced lives here in Metro Manila but thank you for still being there even if you are not physically attending sessions, but still caring and hoping for the best for 2KK. I miss those who I haven’t seen for a long time, but I hope you don’t take it against me if I still constantly invite you to come back and volunteer. It makes me really happy if volunteers return because I know for a fact that the kids will be even happier seeing their ates and kuyas once again.  In 2016, I started volunteering on my own with 2KK. I didn’t know anyone back then and my sole motivation was to spend Saturday mornings with kids because I wanted to help in the most concrete way that I could think of which is through volunteering. Volunteering with 2KK was as simple as attending a Saturday Kapatid Session. There was no commitment needed, I could eventually come and go like I did in the previous outreaches I joined back in high school and college. I eventually met fellow volunteers and formed bonds with the kids from our different partner communities. When I was immersed in the stories and lives of the kids, it became a turning point for me to eventually stay with 2KK and be a Kuya Migi to our scholars, kids and fellow volunteers.
Hopefully, we get to inspire more volunteers to take the lead and a difference in the lives of our 2KK Kapatids.
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 “Natutunan ko po sa 2KK na isabuhay ang 5 Kap Loves (Mahalin ang Kapwa, Magsdasal Palagi, Sundin ang Magulang, Mag-aral nang Mabuti at Mahalin ang Bayan). Dahil isa po ito sa mga paraan para maging mabuting mamayan, kapwa at anak. Paraan din po ito para maging inspirasyon tayo at ganahan pang tumulong sa iba.” – Ayessa Khiz Balais, a 2KK YAPAK Scholar. Started joining 2KK at the very early age, Ayessa Khiz have shown her perseverance on doing her roles. The now grade six (6) student is not just outstanding performer in school but also one of the most active scholars in the community of Payatas.  As one of the youngest youth leaders, she shared that she enjoys a lot being one of the organizers of Kapatid Values Tutorial activities in the community. “Masaya ang naging experience ko po sa 2KK dahil marami akong natututunan at nalalaman dahil sa mga Ate at Kuya namin.” She said. She added that her experience as deputy on facilitation has given her a way to help others, especially her fellow youth in the community. “Malaking pagbabago po sa akin na naging parte ako ng mga officers ng scholar. Dahil naging paraan ito upang mas makatulong ako sa kapwa ko mga bata at nangangailangan.” She said.  She dreams of becoming a fashion designer in the future. As of now, she puts her design on her Barbie dolls, but her hopes is to make these designs be worn by people and celebrities. Hence, she aims to help her fellow community people be out of the poverty.
Her goal is to spread love and compassion through her work. Let’s her realize her dreams through education. By: Angelo bilang YAPAK Leader (Scholar)  Nag-start po akong pumunta sa 2KK noong ako’y grade 2 student palang. Sa pagtungtong ko ng Grade 5, naging isa ako sa mga scholars ng 2KK. Bagaman maraming nangyari bago ako makapasok dahil sa pagkakaroon ko dati ng sponsor, natuwa pa rin po ako dahil sa huli ay tinanggap pa rin nila ako. Sa pagsisimula ko ng pagiging scholar ng 2KK, marami po akong naging masasayang araw. Dagdag pa ditto ang mga bagong kaibigan at mga Ate at Kuya na nagiging kasabay at kaagapay namin sa paglaki.  Sa 2KK ay nag-enjoy ko ng sobra ang buhay ko. Mas nakukuha ko nang ngumiti ng mas madalas kahit minsan ay naaalala ko ang aking ina na hindi ko kapiling ngayon. Ako nga pala si Mark Angelo o “Kuya Angelo”. Ang pagiging scholar ko ay nagbukas sa akin ng mga karanasan na hindi ko akalain na mararanasan ko katulad ng pagpunta sa Enchanted Kingdom at iba pa.  Pangarap ko pong maging seaman para sa aking kinabukasan at para sa aking pamilya. Nais kong makarating sa Korea at malibot ito kasama ang mga taong espesyal sa buhay ko. Gusto kong matupad ito at alam kong possible ang lahat dahil sa mga tao handang sumuporta at gumabay sa akin. Ang aking mga co-scholars, mga Ate at mga Kuya ang lagi rin nagpapaalala sa amin ng mga pagpapahalaga na dapat naming isabuhay sa araw-araw; mahalin ang kapwa, magdasal palagi, sundin ang magulang, mag-aral ng mabuti at mahalin ang bayan. Dito sa pamilya sa 2KK ko natutunan na ang isang bagay ay lalago kapag inalagaan at minahal mo ito. Sabi nga po sa linya ni Mother Teresa, do small things with great love. Pagmamahal, pangarap,sipag at tyaga ang kailangan para makamit ang iyong mithi.  By: Clarisse Bonghanoy Natabio  “Ang 2KK Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid Foundation ang nagmulat sa akin sa realidad na hindi biro ang mga ng sakripisyo ng mga magulang ko at ng mga taong gustong tumulong sa akin.” Ako si Clarisse, labing-siyam na taong gulang at nasa unang antas sa kursong Bachelor of Science in Tourism sa Institute of Creative Computer Technology (ICCT). Mahigit dalawang taon na akong iskoloar ng 2KK Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid Foundation. Sa dalawang taong iyon, masasabi kong marami akong natutunan na mga bagay na akala ko dati ay hindi importante. Dahil sa pagiging iskolar ko, mas lalo kong minahal ang pag-aaral at mas lalo kong binigyan ng importansya ang lahat. Ang 2KK Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid Foundation ang nagmulat sa akin sa realidad na hindi biro ang mga sakrispisyo ng mga magulang ko at ng mga taong gustong tumulong sa akin. Napupursigi akong mag-aral para ipakita sa kanilang lahat na hindi sayang ang mga tulong na binibigay nila. Ito ang paraan ko para maipakita sa kanilang lahat ang pasasalamat ko. Mataas at matayong ang gusto kong marating sa buhay. Mataas ang mga pangarap na gusto kong matupad at alam kong malapit ko ng marating iyon.  Kaya sobra ang pasasalamat ko na naging iskolar ako ng 2KK Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid Foundation, dahil ‘di lamang sila nagbibigay ng kaalaman sa amin. Nagbibigay din sila ng kasiyahan at kabuluhan sa buhay namin, sa pamamagitan ng opotunidad na makapagturo sa mga bata. Kayo mga Ate and Kuya ang tunay na inspirasyon para sa amin. Kayo ang patuloy na nagsasabi sa aming huwag lang kaming mangarap para sa sarili namin, at tuparin din naming ang lahat ng mitihin naming para sa pamilya naming at ng mga taong matutulungan pa namin.   By: Ken Pablo “From zero, I created and chose to experience one way of helping. From that one, I’ll make it endless.”- Ken Pablo (a scholar of 2KK Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid Foundation Inc.) At first, I really couldn’t understand what people get from helping others. Is it fame or good image? Or rewards and other trivial things? All of these ideas didn’t ring a bell to me until I saw the reality.  As a 2KK volunteer who teaches tutees every Saturday, I now understand the anger of our teachers in our elementary days. Kids are very unpredictable. They can be really chaotic so prepare the longest patience gauge you can have. But still, there's this single feeling that I can’t explain when I’m with them. Sometimes, they won’t listen and play around. It is really something that challenges my temper. However, despite all the things that they did, a single smile from them is enough to wipe off all negative emotions and instantly bring forth happiness.  Every time I come home from volunteer activities, I still can’t understand what just happened. But for some reason, there's always this fufillment, an indescribable happiness that I would love to share with others.
My dream is actually really simple, to conquer the world and become one with it. Through the spirit of helping others, I want the world to hear how we can be united—a dream that I will pursue by breaking any boundaries no matter what. From that one experience I had, I realized that I can create endless possibilities of reaching out to others.  By: Mau Gullon The purpose of life is a life of purpose. – Robin Sharma The hustle and bustle of a 5-day work week will make you ponder if your purpose in life is only to work, eat and sleep, work, eat and sleep, and again, and again, and again. It will stir you to question the universe, “Is this all I will be doing for the rest of my life?”. Until I come across 2KK TULONG SA KAPWA KAPATID FOUNDATION, INC. (2KK). I have my very first day of being a volunteer at Sampaloc, Manila on the 25th day of March 2017.  It has already been a year of teaching, laughing, playing, giving and loving. Just hearing the kids calling me “Ate Mau” is like a music to my ears. Seeing them enjoying every minute of my company makes all my time and effort in attending the session truly worthwhile.  2KK has given me an opportunity to serve and to show God’s love to others. It is my constant reminder that living only for myself is not living at all, we have a greater purpose in this world – to do small things with great love. As vast as the universe is, we are given a myriad of opportunities to show our love for others, even how small it is, it will surely make a difference.
I haven’t noticed before but suddenly the stars are shining brighter than usual. By: Alvin Perez Most of the time, it's the passion to make a difference that could lead to great things. It's very usual for me to see emphatic youth in the development sector. There are teens who would sympathize by showing how they feel sorry for the living condition of others; whilst some express their sympathy through sharing the stories of indigent families and individuals, which, most of the time, bears fruit in making their condition a little bearable. In some ways, these actions create an impact to their lives. However, is that the only intervention we can do for those in need of help and guidance?   I found the answer to this question when I witnessed the first session of YAPAK (Yaman Ang Pag-aralin ang Kabataan) Scholars’ Out-of-School Youth Project which started this May, 2018. They named this year's OSY project as "Outstanding Selfless Youth" which seeks not just to encourage people to strive for education, but also to create an impact to the community through volunteerism. The scholars, together with the invited speakers and partners, will be conducting a series of sessions in their community in Payatas to change the perspective of some out-of-school youth towards the importance of education.  Rather than taking advantage of the summer heat for vacation, these YAPAK Leaders/Scholars chose to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to inspire others and are willing to dedicate their time for them. It feels so refreshing to witness these underprivileged youth making a difference to the lives of other people through their passion and compassion. I hope that this project of yours will also have a great impact to the lives of the youth you are inspiring. Showing empathy to those in need is a noble act to do. For me, it's already a good start. But most of the time, taking actions to uplift their condition could really make a big difference and could create an enormous impact, similar to what the YAPAK Leaders from Payatas are doing in their community.  By: Alvin Perez
Kuya Vic also said that his involvement in the organizations activities, especially when he became a scholar officer back when he was a 2nd year high school, and the mentors who guided them have developed his leadership skills. “Yung mga involvement talaga at mga seminars talaga yung naghubog sa akin… Yung mentorship nila Ate Carla, Ate Kring at Kuya Randy yung nakatulong sa amin.” He quoted. Through meeting people and exposures that he gained being a scholar of 2KK, he was able to acquire self-confidence in dealing with different kind of people from different walks of life. Kuya Vic shared that the involvement of everyone in the organizations one of the things that he loves the most. It’s like a big family that everyone has their own voice that they can use for development of 2KK.  “Ang maganda kasi sa 2KK una ay humble ang founder. Iyon yung root kung bakit isang pamilya talaga tayo na may respeto at paggalang. Na hindi natin iniisip kung sin yung mataas. Sa 2Kk lahat pantay-pantay mula sa scholars, tutees, volunteers Board of Advisers at staffers.” Being one of the first scholars who saw how 2KK grows over a decade, he saw how 2KK grows. He witnessed most of its achievements and struggles, and he wanted to continue growing with the organization even after he graduates as a college student. “Gusto ko pag nakatapos ako, mas maging malaki yung parte ko sa 2KK. Na gusto kong Makita yung growth at kung paano pa lalago yung 2KK.”  By: Alvin Perez  One of the quietest yet productive scholars of 2KK, Charissa Polican always shows initiative and endeavors to accomplish tasks independently. As part of the organization, Charissa spends most of her Saturdays facilitating kids for Kapatid Sessions. She even takes the lead in gathering the scholars and tutees for 2KK activities. “Masaya mag-organize ng mga bata. Kasi nate-train ko yung sarili ko na maging ate ng mga kapatid (kids).” (It’s nice to organize the kids since I get to train myself to be a good sister to them.)  As the second child of Renelio Polican, a cheese corn vendor, and Judith Polican, a housewife and part-time siomai vendor, Charissa has learned and experienced how hard life is. Nevertheless, she believes that education is one of the keys in helping her family escape from their struggles in life and in alleviating poverty, in general. On Saturdays without Kapatid Sessions, she helps her parents to sell their products. According to Charissa, this is one of her ways in supporting the family. Aside from selling, she had known at the age of 12 that she also must take responsibility for her siblings’ welfare, especially when her parents are away to sell siomai and cheese corns in the streets. Charissa normally takes care of her younger siblings after her classes, and then works on her assignments and projects only after her parents come home from work. “Kailangan ko silang alagaan kasi minsan nagtitinda si mama at minsan nagpapahinga. Nakakapagod mag-alaga ng mga batang kapatid pero masaya.” (I need to take care of my younger siblings because there are times when my mother needs to work and rest. Taking care of them is tiring, but it brings me happiness.)  Inspired by the story of her adviser in class, Charissa dreams of becoming an elementary teacher someday. She shared that her experiences as a youth teacher of the younger ones molded this dream of hers. “Gusto kong maging guro para makatulong sa mga bata na magsulat at magbasa.” (I want to be a teacher to help kids learn how to write and read.)  With the organization’s efforts to help its scholars unleash their full potential, Charissa foresees that her dream is within her reach. She also pledges that she will continue to serve people with what she can do, even just through her small acts of love and kindness.
“Sa 2KK, natuto akong mas mahalin ang aking kapwa, tumulong sa kanila kung wala sila, at kahit bata ka may kaya kang gawin sa iba.” (In 2KK, I learned to love others more, that I can help them when they have none, and that I can do something good for others despite me being young.) Sponsor today: www.kapwakapatid.com/donate By: Alvin Perez “Wala ka mang maibigay sa iba, magsilbi ka kahit na inspirasyon sa kanila, dahil ang inspirasyon na iyon ang siyang makakapagpabago ng buhay ng tao.” – Jasper Olaybar  One of 2KK’s YAPAK scholars, Jasper Olaybar is an exceptional youth who have always had a heart for the poor, despite his family’s own financial challenges. On his birthday last year, he even initiated a project called “School Supplies Gift-Giving Activity” in Sampaloc, Manila, as a way of giving back for the blessing of life. With the help of people who has continued to support his ideas, this noble cause came to fruition. As part of his pursuit to be of service to others, Jasper also dreams of becoming a well-known IT expert and teacher, to be able to share his knowledge and expertise to other youth, especially the poorest of the poor. “I want to create a software or hardware that will help change the economic status of the Philippines,” he said. “I want to create a software or hardware that will help change the economic status of the Philippines" Starting as a tutee back in 2006, Jasper has been a consistent scholar of 2KK for almost 12 years. Now he is soon to graduate with a degree of Bachelor of Business Teacher Education – Information Technology from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Looking at the person he has become, 2KK has indeed molded him to be a good leader and role model not just to his co-scholars, but to their community as a whole. He learned that all of us must show our love to everyone by always lending a helping hand regardless of our status in life, because according to Jasper, there is always a way to serve others, may it be big or small. His experiences and realizations from being a part of 2KK have led him to choose teaching as his career.  “Nung unang beses ako nagturo sa mga bata, napaisip ako na bakit ako ang kailangang magturo sa kanila. Hindi ba dapat magulang nila?” he recalled. “Hanggang lumawak ang pang-unawa ko sa reyalidad ng buhay at napamahal na ako sa pagtuturo sa mga bata,” he added. As a future educator of our country, Jasper believes that this profession is a great way to inspire the youth towards building a happy and thriving nation. According to him, teaching is a selfless profession. “A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way of others,” he shared. Jasper’s story of transcends from being a kid to a youth servant. His story pushes us to move forward to continue what we have started at 2KK, to realize dreams through education. Sponsor today: www.kapwakapatid.com/donate |
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