AJHS celebrates Christmas with CSIP partner institutions and communities

A beloved tradition returns as the partners of AJHS’s Christian Service and Involvement Program (CSIP) celebrate Christmas across its various Damay Immersion communities. 

In gratitude for the learning opportunities for students and for all the relationships that have blossomed over the Damay immersion program’s many years, the AJHS - through the CSIP office - organized a simple celebration where our partner communities came together to share stories, play games, and meet with the Ateneans’ foster students once more. 

Sapang Palay F and Sitio Boso-Boso have been the immersion areas of Ateneo de Manila Junior High School for more than a decade now, and a vast majority of Ateneans were adopted by foster families in these places and given a chance to experience simplicity and solidarity with them. The Sapang Palay celebration took place on 14 December 2024 while the Sitio Boso-Boso event was held on 15 December 2024.     

In the spirit of generosity and compassion, the fruits of the Katipunan Fund Drive were also channeled to the partner areas in the form of Noche Buena packages. These went to public daycare students of Project 4, QC, where AJHS conducts its Dungaw Exposure Trips; the farmers and scholars of Salikneta Farm, where AJHS conducts its Danas ecological trips; struggling readers of public elementary schools, where AJHS conducts its Dama service sessions; and other areas where AJHS conducts its Damay Immersions. 

In addition to AJHS’ partner institutions and communities, other Jesuit Mission areas, communities and organizations will receive more noche buena and rice packages in the next few days through the AJHS “Christmas for Others” donation drive. This is a collaboration of the AJHS Campus Ministry Office and the Tanging Yaman Foundation. As of this writing, we have already received a total of 746 additional noche buena and rice packages that are meant to spread the joy of Christmas to our fellow men. 

In the midst of the merriment with family and friends this season, we’re reminded of Christ’s call to love our neighbors as He humbly journeys and uplifts those in the peripheries. The sparks of hope and joy are very much alive in our partner areas as we all heed the call to follow Christ’s steps to love and serve.