My CWTS Experience

Reminiscing my CWTS experiences from the start of the first semester until the end of the second semester; I can say that I somehow enjoyed it although I encountered several problems. “If you can’t come on time, be early…” goes the CWTS motto. Since my elementary years, I really had a hard time waking up early in the morning. I know it's abominable but I still haven't overcome that nature of mine until now. I guess, I'm still not a mature person like what my family or my friends tell me. It's as if I'm not taking life seriously and I just take things for granted. In other words, I'm a happy-go-lucky person. Anyways, I'm just sixteen years old. I'm still young to hold the earth in my hands. However, as what my father told me, it's not an excuse. At this early age, I should start disciplining myself. Life is not just a simple game that I could easily win. It is a battle --- I need to sacrifice tears, sweat and blood in order to conquer it.
I was late in attending CWTS sessions only once. It’s better. Although I was just five minutes late, Sir Colaba did not allow me to enter the classroom anymore. I felt bad that time, but I need to accept it. Anyways, it was really my fault. I did not wake up earlier that’s why I was late. Due to this, I and the other late comers were tasked to join the rover scout. Actually, I thought it would add to my burden but I rather enjoyed it! I like being a scout. During my elementary years, I involved myself in scouting because I enjoyed the camping and the games.
As far as I could remember, our rover scout started three in the afternoon and ended six in the morning the other day. It was really energy-consuming. There were lectures conducted by some members of the Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP). There was a campfire also in which we had a presentation every group about certain topics. Our group’s topic was LUST. Fortunately, we had presented it well although it’s a sensitive topic. The activity that I liked most was the rover scout vigil especially the part when we wrote in a paper our heartaches and bad feelings towards a person. After writing, we were told to forgive that person and forget the past. Then, we burned the paper and we were instructed to keep the ashes as a remembrance. After that activity, I really felt good. I realized that resenting someone is an awful thing because it only makes your life miserable and as long as it is still in your heart, it will little by little consume and destroy you. You need to forgive and forget in order to live your life like the way you want.
During the first semester, what I enjoyed most was the session with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). I have learned a lot from the lectures and I also enjoyed the activities that we have done. It is indeed really important to serve our fellow people especially when they need help from us. We must not hesitate to lend helping hands during vulnerable situations to minimize the impact of the disasters. Just like the PNRC, for more or less sixty-two years of its existence, it still intends to help more people and dedicate itself to the service of humanity.
The activity that I liked most was when we were divided into groups and we were tasked to build our future Red Cross office through the materials that can be found in our surroundings. It really tested our creativity and strategy. Due to the lack of materials, our group came up to a rather funny office that our leader had a hard time in explaining. Nevertheless, the Red Cross still appreciated it because the important thing is we had tried our best to make a good office in the absence of reliable materials. We did not loose hope and give up. That’s the lesson behind that activity.
After the classroom sessions, we finally faced the true CWTS. The groups that we had formed since the first semester were assigned barangays where we will do our community service which was to recruit people that could be members of the Red Cross 143 volunteers. The volunteers will be trained by the Red Cross so that during disasters, the impact is not that worst because there are already people who could immediately respond to whoever needs help. It is really a great help to the Barangay San Isidro, the barangay where our group was assigned. When we started our task, we first approached the office of the barangay captain and asked for assistance. Then, we separated and entered houses to gather people for the Red Cross 143 volunteers. It was not easy to convince people but still at the end, we successfully finished our mission. When we came back to the barangay, Red Cross was already there with us. An orientation happened although just few of the people that we recruited are present. Anyways, the barangay captain said that he would inform those people that we recruited to attend the next orientation. After it, they thanked us for our accomplishment. At least, we have done a good thing that is not for ourselves, but for our fellow people.
My CWTS experiences really taught me several important things that could help me in improving myself. I think I lack self-discipline, commitment and determination. I admit that I don’t have self-discipline. I can’t do even just waking up early every morning. Yes, I wake up early sometimes but I can’t maintain it. I really need to improve. I should put in mind that I’m now a college student and my future relies in this stage. If I will not start disciplining myself now, when will I do it? I should start it now before it’s too late. Next, I can say that I lack commitment because in every work that I have, I seem not taking it seriously. I usually end up working on it when the deadline is almost approaching. I badly resort to cramming even if I know that it’s not good. Now, I should change it for the betterment of myself. I should be dedicated and committed in every work that I will do because it is for my own good. The last one is I don’t have determination. I guess it’s because I’m so pessimistic. I’m not determined to work on a thing because I’m thinking that I can’t do it perfectly. But, nothing is perfect, right? So, why am I afraid? Although my work has flaws and errors, what’s important is I have tried my best to do it.
I really hope that I could apply what I learned in CWTS. It is for my own sake. I really need to have changes to myself for me to be a better person. Being a better person will lead me to a better future. And better future will lead me to a better life. That’s how simple it is. Next semester, I will no longer have CWTS but it doesn’t mean that I will just bury in oblivion the things that I have learned from it. I should stamp it in my mind and never forget it for the rest of my life.