The year 2015 started with the sessions in Milan and Rome going into the homestretch and new programs launched in Hong Kong, Dubai and Macau. New programs were also launched in Paris, Brussels and The Hague and in the last quarter of the year, programs were launched in Barcelona and Torino. Concomitantly, there were a series of graduations this year from LSE 24 through LSE 31 – a total of eight training batches - between the end of August through mid- November – bringing the number of LSE graduates to over 1200 globally. Similar strides have been done locally with new FLSE batches in Iloilo and San Fernando (La Union) and ongoing training programs in Pototan and Passi City and potentially a new program in Bacolod City.
A growing network needs real adaptation to the tools available to be able to continue the learning’s and reinforce them to continue the spirit of innovation, a new perspective, and a determination to do things correctly for oneself, the family, the community and also contribute to nation-building. More and more the rooted secretariats, core groups, established partners and alumni councils will all have a larger role to play in mainstreaming the LSE program for OFW empowerment.
Here are some three ideas to reflect on this Christmas season. The first one is the theme of gratitude. We all have much to be thankful for in our lives, our families and friends, our classmates and co-alumni, and the gift of creation. After all the hustle and bustle of our being busy, we owe it to ourselves to find some quiet time to take stock and look at our gains and see with our LSE lens, what are our aspirations and to make a better resolve to achieve better results for the future. Let us remember to forgive those who disappointed us as we ask for pardon for our shortcomings. Reflection and discernment should really be integrated into our daily lives through meditation and prayer.
The second is on perseverance. As migrants we all know that life has not been easy and that even on a daily basis we are faced with a variety of challenges. The ability to endure or persevere is most significant as this will help us face the challenges and temptations that come our way. We should not give up because the going is difficult. LSE has taught us to see the situation and re-frame it depending on the opportunities available for us. Endurance requires commitment and dedication and the ability to see beyond our immediate surroundings and remain focused on our long-term goals. To be able to persevere, we have to look for like-minded individuals and communities, such as the LSE alumni, that will keep us on our desired path.
Last but not the least, is hope. Hope is the ability to see what lies beyond for our future. It is what drives us to hang on to our vision. It helps us inspire us when we feel alone or discouraged. Hope helps us to build our character and continues to be our source of our inner strength in prayer. The ability to move against hopelessness, that small glimmer or slim chance or opportunity – is all we need to move upward and confront our challenges. Hope demands that we recognize our small victories and celebrate them. Our lives are founded on the conviction that our lives - together with our family and in so doing our community and eventually our nation – will be much better off in the years to come.
So Christmas is the time for renewal of friendships, of kamustahan, of remembering, and of sharing our joys. Let us do so in a meaningful way, mindful that we are men and women for others and that our LSE training and perspective has given us a second chance or a renewed purpose in life to build our legacies.
In behalf of the LSE Migration and Development Consortium (ASoG, OFSPES, SEDPI and UGAT), we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and more prosperous New Year for 2016.
Cristina Liamzon
Coordinator
LSE Migration & Development Consortium
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