Use of Ignatian Leadership in Outreach Programs/Missions

'Quamplurimi et quam aptisimi" (As many as possible of the very best)

Rizal Philippines
August 21, 2015

It is ATOM day today, and official holiday.  By this time last week, I would be in NLEX travelling towards Dau for the leadership class;  not today.  The last session was last week.

Tomorrow though, I was informed by leader Rony, there will be an outreach program, about 20 will be joining from AGSB Clark and 6 coming from this class. I guess it would be fine to join this mission. I made arrangement to join the Rockwell group who leave at the same time as the Clark group for the Cabiao NE outreach.

So the outreach program by Gawad Kalinga made reflect on a  number of things:

1.  In the homily by Rev Fr. Aristotle Dy SJ, he recalls how one of the founders of SJ, Fvre, (Faber), instead of giving the usual food, or alms to the poor of Rome used ingenuity principle.  He had the street people employed in jobs so that they will not be continually dependent on alms.

2.  In the same manner, after the homes have been given to the recipients of houses under GK, these leaders must be trained in leadership concepts to be independent and self sustaining.  While the idea of giving them a house can give them hope, they may be lulled into believing that everything is all about entitlement.

3. Development of leaders:



   By selecting few leaders in the community, we can be more effective use less resources and achieve long lasting effect.

   The leaders can be trained to organize along the following lines:

   1.  Health and nutrition

   2.  Livelihood,  and entrepreneurship

   3.  Education and higher literacy

4.  Band aid, one shot mission

   The medical mission are are programs that the student leaders can rapidly assemble and execute but may be viewed as a band aid approach and some may become dependent on this, and continue the patronage feudal system that perpetuates dependency even mendicancy  How about follow up?.  How about getting extension health centers, or birthing centers, low cost drugs outlets;  and even health workers on well ness and nutrition

5.  Changing mindset of aid workers

In typhoon Yolanda aftermath, and even in other missions I have joined efforts have been in assembling the packages for the recipients;   collecting cash,  or donations, packing them, getting them to the site and distributing them.  MBA students as laborers failing to use properly the leadershipa and management skills they have.

   How about?

    1.  Fixing the SCM of the donations?

    2.  How about fixing the finances, org chart of the aid program/operations? Or setting up computer system to manage the aid program?

    3.  How about drawing up a rehab plan for the ravaged areas?

        Maybe this was looked into?  Were they made by the volunteer student leaders?

   4.  Goal setting for the communities to recover, and even rebuild lost business?

Maybe I am just watching things happen, as Uzi but by way of suggestions, our leaders in social entrepreneurship, I am sure are looking into this.