Fairplay For All Foundation is a non-profit community organization based in Payatas, a large urban poor community in Metro Manila, Philippines. The organization takes a holistic approach to empowering its community to break cycles of poverty and trauma. My work with Fairplay is focused on two projects: (1) Writing an internal report on how Fairplay can better support families in Payatas in accessing quality employment opportunities. (2) Helping facilitate 'Emotional Quotient (EQ)' sessions that support the emotional and mental well-being of local children.

This week marked the end of my time in Payatas, and the awareness of that ending was a constant presence. Every joyful moment carried a trace of sadness, knowing it would all be over too soon. Looking back, I realize the most valuable lesson I learned here is what it truly means to take part in the growth of a community.

In the past, most of my learning experiences centred on building my own skills, knowledge, and expertise. Rarely did I stop to think about how to create impact beyond my own personal development. This summer, however, I had the privilege of working with students and contributing, even in small ways, to their growth. Simple moments like teaching a new way to solve a math problem, teaching English grammar, or even introducing a new game became deeply fulfilling because of the ways I got to see the student triumph and find excitement.

Working with the team at the Youth Center further deepened this lesson. Observing how they set goals together, coordinated, trusted, and collaborated under the shared mission of supporting students reminded me that the most important goals are not individual but collective. Their example showed me that true community is built when people commit to something greater than themselves.

What went well?

This week officially marked the start of boot camp, and our team facilitated four English sessions for elementary students with a focus on reading comprehension. I was encouraged to see how the Youth Center team constantly iterated and refined our approach as new challenges and ideas emerged.

On the report side, I presented my findings to the team, synthesizing focus group discussions with 37 parents, readings from Fairplay’s archives, and my own observations at the  Youth Center. 

What could have been done differently?

After presenting my findings, Fairplay’s staff gave me helpful feedback on how to better communicate my work. Their suggestions will guide me as I continue to refine my presentation, writing, and storytelling skills. I see this not as a shortcoming but as a reminder that growth, whether individual or communal, comes from listening and adapting.

What did I learn about myself when working with others? What did I learn about leadership?

I learned how much I am energized by working with teams that feel like family, where everyone grows together. On my final day, the staff surprised me with a despedida, a type of Filipino social gathering to bid farewell to family or friends. Seeing the entire team, nearly 20 strong, in one room was emotional because it reminded me of the countless small ways each person had contributed to my time there. Even those from different branches of the nonprofit, outside of the Youth Center, had, in their own ways, welcomed me and modelled the power of belonging. 

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

I hope to continue developing my newfound interest in community building by seeking out work that is important; work that is greater than any one individual. My five weeks in Payatas may have been only a blink in the life of a fourteen-year-old organization, but they have shown me how community is built through everyday acts of trust, generosity, and inclusion. That is what I hope to carry forward: the commitment to do work greater than myself and to create spaces where others feel welcome, supported, and able to grow.