ASPIREN: SMALL STEPS TOWARDS BIGGER CHANGE
IF YOU GO AND ASK WHAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD EXPECT TO DO IN THE COURSE OF THEIR COLLEGE LIFE, YOU WOULD GET ANSWERS LIKE "GET GOOD GRADES AND GRADUATE WITH FLYING COLORS", "MAKE GOOD MEMORIES WITH FRIENDS", OR SIMPLY "HAVE FUN WHILE IT LASTS". IT IS RARE TO GET AN ANSWER THAT GOES "TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE". SURE, THEY'LL SAY THAT AFTER GRADUATION BUT DOING THAT WHILE STUDYING? IT WOULD BE VERY SURPRISING, BUT A GROUP OF JOURNALISM STUDENTS ARE DOING JUST THAT.
The group known as ASPIREN is going out of their way to give a helping hand to those who need it. Coming from the words 'aspire' which means to 'aim high' and the Confucionism term "ren" that means “promote the flourishing community", the group is indeed living up to it's name.
What started as simple class project became an advocacy for those who are involved. Having a first-hand view of the problem of the community that they were assigned to give a solution to, which ignited something inside these students. So after a successful project, the group decided to continue their work and eventually grew in numbers. What started out as a 16-member group grew into 50 members that are not just composed of journalism students but also from other departments, colleges and even other universities such as Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman and Los Baños.
Since the group is composed of students, they are still loaded with other responsibilities such as school work and errands in their other organizations. The stress would've burned them out but they are determined to push through every problem that may come their way.
As of recent, Aspiren has already held seven programs and reached out to at least 11 different communities around Metro Manila namely a three-day outreach program and caravan in Manila South Cemetery in Makati City and a five-day gift-giving program in different communities in the cities of Manila and Mandaluyong.
Aspiren has and will meet challenges along their journey to making a difference in the community. It won't be easy but these challenges are nothing compared to the hope they bring to the people they've met.
The organization proves that nothing is impossible and that no matter how small the steps you take to help others out, it is a step closer to making a big change in the lives of others.
