By: Matthew Chavez
When we were told that for the summer of our 3rd year in college, we would have our On-The-Job training with the company or group of our choice, a list was given to us containing the possible sectors in which we can render our internship hours. I did look at the list; they were good companies in their respective fields, but I have asked myself, can I find my purpose, my calling, one that will satisfy the knowledge I thirst for within the names on the list? That became my primary consideration.
As I continued to browse and fill myself with knowledge about the background of each of the companies I stumbled upon where I can apply to be their intern, the realization came to me that I need more than what they offer, my knowledge from studying the different concepts revolving around DevCom is not inclined with their functions in the society because, after all, DevCom is about alleviating the situation of those who are in the marginalized and helping them understand that there is more to their current standing in the community, and we are there to help them achieve it.
From there, I recall how HLAF was introduced to us during our classes by our college professor, Mr. Melvin Nunez. I remembered how the purpose of HLAF serves the best interest of those in the marginalized, more specifically, the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), children in conflict with the law (CICLs), and persons restored of liberty (PRLs). And then I realized if I want to further myself in terms of being an effective future DevCom practitioner, this is the one I should try to engage myself with. I then submitted my application, underwent an interview proper, and the rest was history.
Before I officially began my internship with HLAF, I had a few thoughts in my mind on how it would turn out. I thought that from browsing their web pages and reading their mission, vision, and programs, I only thought that I would only just be a help to the best I can to contribute to the works and advocacies they have in line. I thought that I would be just in their office, working on their advocacies for the PDLs and such, and I thought that the people that I would get to meet and work with were my co-interns and their staff. I imagined it too shallow.
On the very first day of my internship, my perspective on human rights quickly changed. I only thought that it was about the rights of the people to education, food, and shelter, that’s how I only understand it, but on the very first day, I realized that I hadn’t even scratched the surface of what human rights is all about. One of my co-interns attended a meeting together with some staff from HLAF, we do not have an idea of the whole concept of the said meeting, we just do our best to understand what is it all about. It was a meeting that tackled how the lives of PRLs can be improved through the reintegration program offered to them after their life from inside the prison. From there, I had a glimpse of understanding what human rights are. It is not something that can be offered only to a specific group of individuals, but rather to every one of us, no matter our standing in society. Every individual should be given a chance to uplift their own lives, even if in the past, they made a mistake and society painted a different picture for them. I understand that human rights know no conviction, whether you’re a free man or not, you have them within yourself, and I understand all of this in just a few hours I spent at that meeting, observing how the different officials work together to serve the interest of those in the marginalized.
And with those in the non-governmental organizations or NGOs who actively work on these matters, there is no doubt that personnel are a given need for them. Again, in my thoughts, DevCom is only for any media-related practices, and administrative occupations because that’s where our predecessors usually render their internship hours, I try to piece the parts in my mind, where is DevCom in these practices? We were supposed to be with the community, helping them with their situation, but how could we do it if we just sat in the air-conditioned rooms? It does not make any sense to me but I just let it be, what can I even do about it? None. It was only until I learned that some NGOs for the community accept student interns, one being HLAF.
At first, I was nervous because maybe I would meet other interns from our program or other related programs and I wouldn’t be a great companion with them. That’s what I thought. In HLAF, we are the only interns during our on-the-job training, but many have come before us. I assume they were students just like us, but no, they were individuals pursuing to uplift themselves in the field of human rights such as juris doctors students, law practitioners, and other professionals. If I were to understand, it is not only students such as ourselves but professionals in their respective fields who have the heart to serve their people. Being an intern for a group that forwards human rights in society, was worth it.
Why was it worth it? It is because we get to accomplish things that we did not just for the sake of requirement, but because there is a bigger purpose that we try to achieve. One of the activities that we have done that I can say is the main highlight of our internship is when we planned, organized, and facilitated an activity in which the purpose is to create a stronger bond and relationship between the women PDLs and their children. It was a heartwarming moment for us because even in a small way, we made up for the time they lost being with each other, even just for a few hours. We were relieved not because we accomplished the activity, we can put a check on it on our list, but because we provided the PDLs of something that might seem small to us but for them, something that they are very grateful to have been offered to them. It was also worth it because we got to participate in meetings, prestigious events, and activities that we may not have experienced for a very long time such as the TFKK meeting wherein we were surrounded by honorable officials such as the executive judge and judges of the judiciary, we also have the Basta Run Against Torture (BRAT) in which we get to attend and alongside human rights groups, we advocate for the stoppage of torture in the Philippines. From these experiences, it was all worth it.
The most memorable event for me that I attended was the TFKK meeting in the city of Malabon because I got to witness different officials from the government working with one another that aims to aid the PRLs to be reintegrated successfully into their community and of course, the Stella coloring book activity in the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory because it is such a one in a lifetime experience for me.
My whole internship in HLAF is not as easy as I want it to be at first. A lot of challenges but at the same time, it honed me to be a much better DevCom student compared to before I began my internship. I am grateful for all the experiences because I have gained so much knowledge that I know I wouldn’t be able to obtain if I hadn’t applied to be an intern at HLAF. This is an experience that I know I will carry throughout my life and I am proud to say that even in just a time, I was able to at least contribute in the simplest of ways to the welfare of people in the marginalized, especially the PDLs, CICLs, and PRLs. Adios y gracias, HLAF!
