Then again, we can

They say that change is the only constant thing in this world, and indeed it is. Each and every day, there are these little subtle hints of change that lie around you. It can be a few more gasps for air as you climb a flight of stairs, or a few less sips of your favorite coffee. It can be the inconsistent weather patterns that make you wear the thickest of jackets today and the most comfortable shirt and jeans the next day. It can be the constant stream of new faces at the office or the endless smorgasbord of emotions from the sardine cans we call the LRT and the MRT.

Then again, some things really stay the same. That hug you gave your family on your way to work, that feeling of hope and that smile for a better tomorrow, that dream that never ceases to amaze even your most pessimistic self. Away from the bustle and hustle of city life, last weekend gave me the chance to rediscover things that are always hidden by the clutter of the busy life. The things that were hidden somewhere for such a long time are pushed to the forefront as asphalt makes way to sand, concrete to trees, and smog to clear skies and radiant sunshine. This is us opening ourselves up, and this is them giving us something to last us several lifetimes.

As I grabbed the bus that Friday night, I expected the unexpected. With things like this, you better be prepared for that lurking curve ball life always throws at you. Alas, life didn’t throw me a curve ball. It was the same when I left the “org” three years ago. The faces were different but you won’t really notice the difference until you look each and everyone in the eye. There were still the same smiles and laughter of people having the time of their lives. There are the more familiar faces and they blended very well with the new.

Admittedly, I never really went away for good, but then again, this was perhaps the liveliest I’ve seen the org for years. It may just be nostalgia kicking in, but it was such a pleasure sharing the experience with people who were on the same page with you. These are people who wanted to serve and give a part of themselves to the underserved and marginalized. These are people who better themselves by finding themselves in the communities they serve and now belong to. These are not just people but, rather, brothers and sisters who share the vision of doing our little part in making the world a better place, one heart at a time. I was indeed home again with the people in that bus, and the will of all the brothers and sisters I have shared several buses before.

This was not my first time to participate in an outreach activity; I’ve been through a number since I joined the org years ago. This was also not my first time to go out on field because I’ve been to every nook and cranny since I graduated from the university years ago. This, however, was different. I’ve been with marginalized people before, but never with people who are marginalized because of who they are. These are people who kept their identity and stuck to their beliefs as well as to their dreams. These are people who are marginalized because of their identity and the color of their skin. These are people who are deprived of their right to education, not because they don’t want it, but because of the lack of concern and the neglect of people who should have ensured that this basic right of theirs was protected and respected. These are people who have dreams not just for themselves but for their families and whole communities as well.

From the time we arrived until the time we needed to temporarily leave, these are the people who showered us with love. These are the people who gave us their smiles and hugs. These are the people who showed us that dreams know no boundaries. As much as we wanted to give them more and to give them the love they deserve, it was us in the end who received a gift we never expected.

Having nothing never hindered them from dreaming about a future. Having nothing never hindered them from giving their best to provide help not just to those closest to their hearts but to all those who need it. These are people who have the least in material things but have the most in heart, faith, hope and dreams.

That one wonderful weekend in Zambales, it was they who made us remember the reasons for our dreams and aspirations. It was they who made us remember to continue dreaming. It was they who made us remember that we should dream not just for ourselves but also for those we love. It was they who made us remember that dreams will never go as long as we hold these tightly in our hearts.

Hope is the greatest equalizer, and as long as there is hope, the dreams of these children will live on and become their own reality that they can give to their brothers and sisters, little by little, bit by bit. These are children who want to become teachers, and engineers that will serve and uplift their communities. These are their hope and we have the capacity to nourish these hopes and make their dreams a reality.

Yes: This is a shout of heartfelt gratitude. Yes: This is the tsunami of a thousand hopes and dreams. Yes: This is the rhythm of a hundred hearts beating for others. Yes: This is a call to action.

We can do something, anything. We just have to nurture the fire, keep it burning, and do it one heart at a time. We have our dreams, and they have dreams of their own. If only we can do something to open more eyes, activate more hands, touch more hearts, and create a better hope for them and for those who want and deserve it. If only …

Then again, we can. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” We can be the change. Let us be the change.

Arjei Balandra, 23, is in his first year in MS health informatics (bioinformatics track) at the University of the Philippines Manila. He works as a software developer at UP Manila’s National Telehealth Center.