Beyond Borders: Building community through immersion and service with Soochow University

On 12 January 2025, eight students from Soochow University, led by Dr Tim Chen, a professor of Political Science, arrived in Manila for an immersive community experience with Gawad Kalinga Ateneo communities. This visit was part of a long-standing collaboration between Soochow University and GK Ateneo to foster community development and character transformation among students.

For the first half of their trip, the group travelled to Cabiao, Nueva Ecija early on 13 January 2025. Over the next two days, they conducted workshops for community mothers on how to make lip gloss – a practical skill that could give the community members potential additional income. In the afternoons, they engaged children in interactive sessions on personal hygiene and led do-it-yourself art activities that revolved around the theme of the upcoming Chinese New Year.

On 16 January the Soochow team joined the house-building activities efforts at GK Kalikasan, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. They took part in various construction tasks, working alongside local residents to help build houses. Sharing lunch with the beneficiaries afterward further deepened the sense of camaraderie and connection within the community.

Each evening, the students gathered to reflect on their daily experiences—sharing what went well, the moments that moved them, and the challenges they encountered. This nightly practice became a vital part of processing their immersion journey, allowing them to deepen their understanding and personal growth.

Their final night at GK St Joseph was marked by a joyful community "boodle fight" organized by the Kapitbahayan (KBs). Everyone came together to share a communal meal served on banana leaves, eating with their hands in a festive spirit of togetherness. The evening continued with games facilitated by the students for children and parents, culminating in the heartfelt exchange of tokens and handwritten letters to their host families.

On 17 January, the group made a courtesy call at the Taiwan embassy before continuing their immersion the next day at GK Del Rosario Cox in Quezon City.

At GK Del Rosario Cox, the students taught the mothers and youth how to create cellular phone straps – a livelihood skill they had been supporting over the past year by helping sell the products in Taiwan. Each morning they gathered children for English lessons using puzzle games and conducted family interviews for better understanding of community needs. Their final day was dedicated to preparing food for "Taiwan Day Party Time," a celebration that brought the entire community together in joy and solidarity.

The partnership between Soochow University and GK Ateneo has flourished over the years, with two batches of students visiting annually. This meaningful collaboration, which started with a conversation between Fr Ben Nebres SJ and Dr Tim Chen, has become a remarkable journey of mutual learning, cultural and personal growth. Dr Tim Chen shares that these immersion experiences are transformative, helping students build character while deepening their appreciation for the rich and vibrant culture of the Philippines. He often reminds them that they come not only to serve, but also to be served, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of their engagement.

This visit went beyond teaching livelihood skills and building homes. At its heart, it was about forging human connections, embracing diverse perspectives, and nurturing a spirit of global citizenship. The students returned home with a deep respect for the resilience, generosity, and warmth of the Filipino people, while the host communities were equally enriched by the students’ energy, curiosity and willingness to learn. 

To know more about and support Gawad Kalinga Ateneo’s work please email gka@ateneo.edu.

Photos courtesy of GK-Ateneo