The pandemic has forced us to view life through a different lens. The normalcy of our daily routines abruptly changed.

For many students, the feeling of loneliness and self-isolation manifests in front of computer screens and online meets. Our teenage years are some of the most pivotal moments of our lives. As young members of society, we are meant to thrive in social environments, yet the circumstances we are faced with prevent this from happening. Thus, the current situation leaves us asking: What does this new normal mean for our generation?

Many of us would give anything to go back to our lives before the lockdown. We miss seeing our friends in school, walking to the mall after class, or saying hi to our teachers as we pass them by the halls. However, I think that this period is a blessing in disguise. As we are confined in our own rooms, we face the challenge of discovering who we truly are, away from the influence of school, friends, or relatives.

The pandemic has helped me find where I fit in the grand scheme of things. Before, my sole focus were grades, tests, school activities and school-related competitions. With face-to-face classes put to a halt, I realized that there was much more to life.

Yugto PH

Two months into the quarantine, I wanted to break the monotonous cycle and make a difference to the bigger community of Filipino youth.

I came across the youth organization Yugto Philippines. Founded by Louise Caroline Lim, it’s a nonprofit set up in the beginning of the pandemic. I had just turned 15 when I joined.

At 15, I thought that my capabilities were limited. However, every small effort we make can become a budding seed of real change.

My role as a co-head opened my eyes to different social issues. I was able to work hands-on on projects and fundraisers. What still amazes me today is the fact that, as a group of 15 to 18-year-olds, we were able to make an impact. We became the change that we wanted to see in the world.

The education sector was hit hard by the effects of COVID-19. Many children could not afford necessary school materials. The insufficient funds and unstable internet connection, particularly in public schools, were some of the first obstacles that the Department of Education faced.

Fortunately, the Filipino community has always been known to foster a sense of brotherhood. Youth-led organizations were one of the groups to step up and lend a helping hand.

Yugto PH’s first project was Project Larang. We raised funds that allowed us to buy 20 brand-new tablets for the students of Pateros National High School.

For our next initiative, Project Liwanag, our goal was to get donations of child-friendly books for the Kythe Foundation. The Kythe Foundation is a nonprofit that is geared toward improving the lives of children with cancer and other chronic illnesses. By November, we had received several boxes of children’s books.

Soon after Project Liwanag, the Philippines was hit by the devastating Typhoon Ulysses. Youth organizations were quick to provide aid to the victims of the typhoon. We were able to donate a substantial amount to the UE Red Cross Youth Council and the Animal Kingdom Foundation.

I was astonished by the genuine camaraderie, empathy and support that the members of Yugto PH and other youth organizations displayed for our Filipino brothers and sisters. This inspiring moment gave me hope for our generation.

Buhay na Makulay

I came up with the title for our next project, Buhay na Makulay. In partnership with a local art organization, we donated bundles of bond paper, crayons, folders, ink, fasteners, and coloring books to the Francisco E. Barzaga Memorial School.

The school offered special education classes and ALS classes to around 3,000 students. Many of the students could not afford school materials, thus our objective was to uplift their spirits with new school supplies.

Like many of our previous projects, the main message of this initiative was to remind students of the beauty of life amid the pandemic. Our intention was to show these young children that there is hope and goodness beyond the challenges they faced.

Through my personal experience, I have seen the impact of compassion and unity when used as the foundation for our community. These values that have been taught to us when we were little kids now hold important roles in the basic function of society.

The youth organization community is full of inspiring individuals, and I continue to be amazed by the passion for service that these people have that has ignited the same passion within me. I write this article not only as a tribute to the organization that kickstarted my journey, but also as a message for other young individuals.

I would encourage the youth to use this solitary time to find purpose in their lives. We are young, and the journey toward our future is still packed with a myriad of opportunities. The isolation we are challenged with during this pandemic is not a hindrance to our growth as teenagers. Instead, it is a wake-up call to get up and find authentic meaning in the things we do.