From our early years of childhood to our late teens, we usually take part in some sort of activity; piano lessons, Kumon, football, taekwondo etc. As we grow up and look back on these activities, we cant imagine our lives without them. They have become something that defines who we are. It is the same for me as it is with many people; however, my activity may not be as common and well known. The activity that followed me from my childhood until today is being involved in an international youth organization called Childrens International Summer Villages or CISV.

This was very much a part of my life since all my siblings, as well as my mother, were involved in it at one point in their youth. I still remember those Saturdays when I was 8, where play days were held at my house, and I watched as the 11-year-olds practiced tinikling and pandanggo sa ilaw for the performances for village. Village is a program by CISV wherein four children of the age of 11, two boys and two girls, and an adult leader from different countries live together for four weeks; making friends and understanding more about each others cultures.

I also took part in this program when I became 11. I went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was one of the kids that represented 12 different countries. I remember all the fun I had and all that I learned from the activities planned by the junior councilors (JC) and staff. The JCs were very fun as well. They took care of the other kids and me, played with us, and become our good friends. They were between 16 and 17 years old, closer to our age than the adult staff, and we felt very comfortable around them. I could be myself around them and be as hyper as I wanted. They were always patient with us, and we also looked up to them since they were all really fun and cool, and were also part of the staff. After taking part of in the program, I wanted to try doing what they did when I was old enough.

Later when I was 15, I did get the chance to be a JC, even if it was for a local minicamp in the Philippines for nine to eleven year olds that lasted four days and three nights rather than the four weeks of village. During this program, I got to see the other side of the coin. I felt great not having as much responsibility as the adult staffers, and having more freedom than them, but still less than the kids. Like my age compared to them, I was in the middle ground, enjoying both the world of a participant and a staffer. I helped manage the supplies we had; I helped man the tuck shop, a store managed by the staff of the camp where kids can get snacks; I helped plan educational activities with my fellow JCs and staff; and I sometimes participated in the activities with the kids. Even though the job sounds fun, it was difficult and very tiring. We needed the energy and strength to keep up and play with the kids until they got tired then they could sleep, and we also needed to act crazy and energetic to get the kids interest in playing the games we had prepared.

I found this to be a definitive experience because I was able to see a bigger picture. For one event there are as many stories to tell as there are people involved, and by being a JC, I am now able to tell a story from another perspective. After finishing the camp, I understand what my JCs went through, and questions race through my mind as to if I bothered the leaders and them as some kids did us. It made me think more about how everything that seems ordinary in life as extraordinary stories behind it; the stories of the people who worked to get that ordinary thing to you. Through being a JC I gained more experience in working with people older younger, and of the same age as me, and I also learned how to make more effective educational activities that people of different age groups can enjoy. The kids looked me up to and I felt a hint of what it means to be a servant leader.