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Maebh O’Callaghan, SERVE’s Global Citizenship Education and Volunteer Programme Co-ordinator shares first thoughts on arriving in Cebu, Philippines ahead of the arrival of the volunteers.
Diary entry: 7th July 2024
In the days leading up to the arrival of the volunteers (July 2024) in Cebu, Philippines, I have been staying with the wonderful Presentation Sisters.
Yesterday, we went together to their monthly food shop. They bought me some Philippino biscuits to try. When we unpacked the shopping, they placed the bags of biscuits on the table, alongside some confectionary gifts that they had received from the neighboring nuns and some pork crackling that they had been given by a member of the congregation that morning.
When we gathered for dinner, they laughed and exclaimed: ‘The table of plenty!’ They sang a short hymn called ‘The Table of Plenty’ and we said a short prayer before sitting down. We ate spring rolls with spam and local mango.
The Sisters continuously referred to the ‘table of plenty’ a phrase which I also adopted.
Every piece of food that wasn’t eaten was packed away and saved for our following meal, as had been the case over the past few days. It was a profound and celebratory gratitude and respect for the food in front of us, something present throughout the meal.
So often in the West, we practice shallow gratitude. We write it in personalised gratitude journals that cost €39.99; list off “three things I am grateful for” when an alarm goes off to remind us to stop and notice, or when we find ourselves complaining about something silly and insignificant. And that is where it ends.
The average Irish person throws away 43kg of food a year, collectively around 220,000 tonnes… and that’s just in the bin.
How do you quantify the waste of a sandwich eaten in front of a laptop, so distracted by your work that you don’t even notice the taste?
How do you measure the waste of a coffee that was downed quickly because you forgot how much of an inconvenience it is to walk and sip and you just want it gone?
What does it mean to isolate your gratitude rather than to live through it?
I feel as though over the past couple of days, I have come to realise that gratitude is not a string of affirmations but an intentional celebration of your table of plenty. A practice that is integrated into your day.
It is about noticing and truly appreciating the various experiences that make up your life.
Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.
Alexiy Sologub has recently joined SERVE for a 3 month internship. Alexiy writes a blog to shine light on the the role of Global Citizenship Education in shaping world view.
In an era where technology connects people from different corners of the globe with just a click, the concept of being a global citizen is gaining traction.
A recent study, using fancy tools like Social Network Analysis and multilevel modelling, delved into what factors drive this sense of global citizenship. And guess what? Education emerged as a major and valuable player in shaping how people view themselves in this global landscape.
So, what does this mean for us? Well, it underscores the crucial role education plays in shaping our worldview and sense of belonging in this global community.
It’s not just about memorising facts and figures; it’s about fostering a mindset that transcends borders and embraces diversity. And hey, maybe it’s time we start putting even more emphasis on global education in our schools and communities.
After all, it seems like the key to unlocking a true sense of global citizenship lies in the power of learning. Education emerges as a crucial factor in fostering global citizenship. It serves as a tool for understanding global issues and promotes intercultural understanding.
Additionally, factors like gender, age, and socioeconomic status influence individuals’ exposure to international experiences. Their attitudes towards global engagement with the concept of global citizenship is complex and multifaceted, influenced by a variety of factors at both societal and individual levels.
Understanding these factors is essential for promoting a sense of responsibility towards the global community and fostering a more interconnected world.
During my internship with SERVE where I am involved in programmes relating to Global Citizen Education and Communication. I hope my time with SERVE will teach me a lot about emphasising and providing Global Citizen Education to the youth.
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At Easter, eggs symbolise rebirth of nature.
You can make Easter Egg-stra Special when you donate the cost of an Easter Egg (or 5 Easter Eggs) to SERVE. Your donation will help raise vital funds to support our work in Asia & Africa.
How does it work?
You don’t have to take the quiz to donate!
There are two questions in the quiz.
You don’t have to register/sign up etc to do the quiz.
It’s a simple quiz.
Swap Easter Eggs with a donation to SERVE because :
Did you know the production of chocolate eggs at Easter have:
Trivia: It was not until 1875 that the first Cadbury Easter Eggs were made. And, so chocolate Easter eggs are only a reminder of technological progress in food production.
All the Easter donations will help raise vital funds to support our work in Asia & Africa:
For any queries please contact us directly.
2022 SERVE Solidarity Buzz Annual newsletter Solidarity is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good. Working from the principle that
Rebecca skydives for SERVE In the summer of 2022 past SERVE volunteer Rebecca Atkinson jumped off a plane safely to fulfill a life-long goal and
Volunteer locally with SERVE in 2023 An overview of your SERVE volunteer placement SERVE Volunteers at Scala in Cork This is a new option as
Thank you so much for your generous donation to support our work.
Sophie Lyons and Nicola Fitzpatrick from Team SERVE pay a visit to SERVE’s Philippine partners, the Presentation Sisters, who work closely with the Badjao community. Sophie created a short blog on her time in the Philippines before going on to her next chapter after working with SERVE for 12 months.
Visiting the Presentation Sisters Nano Nagle centre in the Philippines and meeting the Badjao community was an experience that I will never forget. I will remember the warmth and kindness that we were welcomed with and the openness of everyone to share and collaborate.
You can read as much as you want about The Badjao but you will never really have a sense of what life is like for them until you see it with your own eyes. Life is uncertain, challenging, and unsafe in so many ways for the Badjao community.
The Badjao are isolated from the Filipino community, and many are without basic Human Rights. There is no access to clean water and sanitation, there is a lack of livelihood opportunities, they suffer from hunger, and a lack of good health and well-being.
The Presentation Sisters Nano Nagle Centre in the Philippines has provided a safe space for the community, and it is amazing to witness the level of trust that the community has for the Centre and the people who work there.
I have left the Philippines feeling incredibly inspired by The Badjao. Much of the positive change that has been seen in recent years is due to the dedication and hard work of The Badjao community, in getting through education and supporting each other.
They are a family like no other and I am grateful to have been welcomed even for a short while into their community.
A devastating fire in Cebu City has left over 100 Badjao families homeless. SERVE is partnering
After an incredible journey with SERVE since 2009, I reflect on my growth, the impact of
Join Team SERVE in the Dublin Marathon 2025! Challenge yourself to run 42.195 km on October
Empower over 12,250 youth in Zimbabwe and Mozambique with SERVE’s flagship initiative, the Skills for Youth
Catch up on the work done by SERVE in 2024 from all the team in Cork.
Gifts that Give Back You can help make an impact. Every SERVE Solidarity Gift you choose
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By Rory Murphy As the years go by and the memories fade, I suspect one thing, above all else, will remain with me from my
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On the occasion of World Day of Social Justice, everyone is invited to attend an interactive event about Human Rights – a short talk & collage poster making workshop on Wed Feb 21st in Cork City Library. Our event is from 2:30 to 4pm. Please arrive at 2:15pm
“World Day of Social Justice reminds us each year of the need to build fairer, more equitable societies.” – un.org
“Whenever and wherever humanity’s values are abandoned, we all are at greater risk. The solutions to today’s greatest crises are rooted in human rights.” -un.org
All this month, SERVE has a Photography Exhibition on display in Cork City Library at the entrance near the stairs! Read more
We’re hosting a talk and a collage poster making workshop about Basic Human Rights to help spark conversations about social justice, equity and solidarity.
Come understand Human Rights so that you can uphold your own rights and the rights of others
There will be a short talk by Catriona Reid (researcher/youth activist) & a collage workshop facilitated by Silvio Severino (artist/animator).
Catriona shares a reflection about our Photography Exhibition. Learn more.
Date: Wed 21st Feb
Venue: Thomas Davis Room, Cork City Library
Time: 2:30 to 4pm. Please arrive at 2:15pm to settle in.
This event is for:
Venue is wheelchair accessible.
RSVP is closed.
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Catriona Reid, SERVE alumnus, researcher & youth activist shares a reflection about our photography exhibition in Cork City Library.
This February we are so lucky to have the chance to see a unique insight into the inspiring community building work done by SERVE in developing countries.
If you are passing through the city, I highly recommend popping into the library and browsing SERVE’s ‘Solidarity in Action’ photography exhibition.
This exhibition takes you on a journey through the communities that SERVE works with in Zambia, Mozambique, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, and India as seen through the eyes of its volunteers who took these charming photographs.
I was inspired by the story of Edwina Quialquia – driven by her fundamental belief that education is the key to a better life, she advocates on behalf of the people of the Badjao Tribe to overcome the disproportionate impacts of poverty in the Philippines. A community leader, an advocate, and a friend, her story of overcoming hardship and helping others is truly heartwarming.
“The future of Africa is in the hands of the young in Africa. This is a huge responsibility and a beautiful task.” -Dorien Beurskens, Young Africa CEO
Solidarity is at the heart of the work that SERVE does, and this is also reflected in the photos from the SERVE volunteers working with Young Africa in Mozambique.
In these photos we see a group of young people re-building a bridge with a SERVE volunteer, and in another, SERVE volunteers stand with students of Young Africa’s Agri-Tech programme who are taking their first steps into a world of green jobs.
Climate change is the issue closest to my heart and I was thrilled to see that SERVE has been supporting students studying agriculture who will be best equipped to take practical steps to protect and help their communities in the coming years.
What struck me most about this exhibit is how human all the photographs are – candid, raw and unfiltered, which instantly made me feel connected to the subjects.
My own favourite photograph was the one with SERVE volunteers cooking with members of the Badjou Tribe – sometimes in the busy lives we lead, we forget that food is not just about calories and nutrition, but about solidarity, culture and connection.
Outside the library, Grand Parade was rainy and noisy and packed with the usual crowds bustling about and running errands. Inside, the library was warm and cozy and I was grateful for the opportunity to reflect and reconnect with the concept of solidarity through these lovely photographs.
If you have a moment, you can’t miss this lovely exhibit!
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Everyone age 18+ is invited to our free info session about the Global Goals on Sat Feb 17th in Scala, Cork. Doors: 12:15pm
“Every positive action you take, no matter how small, has the power to make a difference. Supporting a clean the oceans campaign, switching to greener products, standing up for justice, and reminding your leaders of the promise of the Global Goals are all good places to start. ” – globalgoals.org
There are 17 Global Goals help all of us to tackle the big challenges we face such as poverty, inequality, climate change and others.
Join our info-session because knowledge is power.
If you want to be an agent of change then attend this session – It’s the 1st thing to to do to get you started.
About the facilitator:
Dr. Alicia Mateos Cardenas
Date: Sat 17th Feb
Venue: Scala, Castle Road, Blackrock, Cork
Time: 12:30 to 1:30pm. Please arrive at 12:15pm so we can start on time
This info session is for:
Venue & Parking info:
Please RSVP below!
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