April 30, 2025
by Matte Jayferson M. Manon-og
Laughter and warmth filled the halls of the House of Hope on April 23, 2025, as students from the Asian International School of Aeronautics and Technology (AISAT) conducted their outreach program. Part of their National Service Training Program – Civic Welfare Training Service (NSTP-CWTS), the visit became a heartwarming encounter of strength, kindness, and resilience with the children at House of Hope.
Located within the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City, House of Hope serves as a temporary shelter for children battling cancer. Moved by the stories of these young warriors and their guardians, the AISAT students committed themselves to making the day joyful and memorable. They brought not just gifts, but also their time, energy, and a comforting presence for children who needed it the most.
The outreach preparation began with a shared goal: to serve where hope and compassion were needed most. After careful deliberation, the students chose House of Hope, believing that bringing smiles to children facing such difficult battles would be one of the most meaningful expressions of service.
To ensure smooth execution, the class organized into three committees:
- Procurement and Logistics,
- Financial,
- Documentation.
Each group handled specific responsibilities, from acquiring materials and managing the budget to documenting the event for lasting memories.
With the support of the AISAT Financial Office, sponsorship from the Skill Hive Therapy Center, and the students’ personal contributions, the outreach became a reality. Gifts were carefully prepared, activity materials were gathered, and snacks were chosen with consideration for the children’s varying needs, including those with visual impairments and limited mobility. The students held meetings, assigned tasks, and even conducted a dry run to finalize the program and ensure everything would run seamlessly.
When the day of the outreach arrived, the students’ roles shifted from organizers to companions. The children received gifts they would use for bracelet-making and clay sculpture activities. AISAT students assisted those with impairments, making sure every child felt included and valued. Though the activities were simple, the joy they brought was profound.
“It saddens me that they are suffering so early in their lives,” one student quietly shared after the outreach.
Among the games, gift-giving, and laughter, an unexpected connection stood out. One student bonded with an 11-year-old patient—not through arts and crafts, but through heartfelt conversation.
“We mostly talked about science, space, dinosaurs, animals, and life,” the student recalled. “For an 11-year-old, I was amazed by how diverse his knowledge was on those topics. Honestly, he speaks more fluent English than me.”
They spent the entire program seated in one corner, away from the crowd, simply talking like old friends. What started as a simple attempt to keep a child company turned into a meaningful connection that touched the student deeply.
“Despite everything he’s going through, his mind is still filled with wonder, not worry,” the student reflected. “He taught me something I didn’t expect to learn that day—that strength can look like a quiet child dreaming about the stars while fighting a silent battle.”
The experience was a powerful reminder that sometimes, what children in such situations need most isn’t just a game or a gift, but someone willing to listen and be present.
The event concluded with a heartfelt thank-you from the House of Hope staff and a moment of reflection with their CWTS instructor, Mr. Roy Francis Berro. The outreach reminded the students that service is just as vital as skill, and kindness is as valuable as competence.
More than a mere requirement, the activity helped shape their perspective as future aviation professionals. It taught them that even as they aim to reach the skies, their hearts must remain grounded in compassion.
Because in life, lifting others when they can no longer stand is sometimes the highest flight we can ever take.