USJ students named Service Learning Ambassadors by Uniservitate Asia and Oceania
USJ students named Service Learning Ambassadors by Uniservitate Asia and Oceania
04
Sep
04/09/2025
Man Nok “Aegon” Chang from the Bachelor of Environmental Sciences and Christine Joy “CJ” Peralta from the Bachelor of Psychology became them the first batch of Student Ambassadors for Service Learning of USJ Macao.
Man Nok “Aegon” Chang from the Bachelor of Environmental Sciences and Christine Joy “CJ” Peralta from the Bachelor of Psychology successfully completed the inaugural Service Learning Student Fellowship (SLSF) 2025 from 3 to 10 August 2025, in Cebu, Philippines organised by Uniservitate Asia and Oceania Regional Hub through De La Salle University and San Carlos University—making them the first batch of Student Ambassadors for Service Learning in the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), Macao.
Chang and Peralta posing with the Macau flag before their action plan output for implementing Service Learning in USJ. Photo courtesy of De La Salle University Archers Network.
This week-long fellowship included rigorous lessons and workshops about Service Learning (SL) delivered by academics from the Philippines, coupled with insightful reflection sessions on the daily activities. The highlight of the fellowship was the delivery of an SL project, which intended to address a community-based problem, in partnership with the chosen communities in Cebu.
Chang was part of the team assigned to the Saint Arnold Janssen Village in Bangkal, Lapu Lapu City, where they focused on improving community health for those vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue, due to challenges with drainage and sanitation in the area.
Chang handing out a mosquito-repellent spray to a community member of the Saint Arnold Janssen Village Bankal. Photo courtesy of De La Salle University Archers Network .
Their project, titled “Ligtas Lamok,” aimed to empower community members by demonstrating how to create their own mosquito repellent spray. This initiative was designed to reduce the risk of dengue fever transmission within the community. To ensure the sustainability of the project, the team left behind refill supplies of the mosquito spray, along with a tarpaulin that illustrated the step-by-step procedure for making the repellent. This approach not only provided immediate resources but also equipped residents with the knowledge and tools necessary to continue protecting themselves against mosquito-borne diseases in the future.
Chang and his group taking a photo with the community members afte the implementation of the project Ligtas Lamok. Photo courtesy of De La Salle University Archers Network.
On the other hand, Peralta was assigned to a different community, the Saint Arnold Janssen Village Miramar Phases 1 and 2 in Talisay City, Cebu. Their group was tasked to tackle the Human Behavior, Arts and Design aspect and they came up with a mural that painted life into the village. In vibrant colors and exciting patterns, they painted Magduwa ‘Ta! in one of the empty walls in the public space accompanied by a floor mural which served as a playground where children of both communities can play traditional Filipino games such as Piko (Hopscotch), Tumbang Preso (Kicking the Can), Patintero (The Line Chase) and Bayang Base (The Game of Bases) among others.
Peralta and groupmates outlining the wall mural with chalk. Photo courtesy of De La Salle University Archers Network.
Peralta’s group came up with the mural to tackle the disengagement of the youth with their peers and to lessen their excessive use of mobile phones. The mural can foster connections among the youth while bolstering their physical health and mental well-being. Leaving behind buckets of paint, paintbrushes, and primer manuals, Peralta’s group hope that the community will continue having the mural, touching it up as time fades it away. Peralta was in awe at the smiles painted on the children’s faces as they ran around and played in their new recreation area.
Peralta’s group with the children of Saint Arnold Janssen Village Miramar Phases 1 and 2. Photo courtesy of the De La Salle University Archers Network
The fellowship ended with a reflection on how the students can bring SL in their respective universities and both Chang and Peralta have a couple of ideas up their sleeves. They hope not only to implement an SL Project but to start a lasting culture of Servant Leadership—the core of Service Learning.
At the closing ceremony, they were officially named as SL Ambassadors. Uniservitate Founder and Director, Dr. Maria Nieves Tapia said at the closing event, that the younger generation is “picking up the torch and passing it to one another, keeping the fire alive,” with hope for the present and future generation to come.
Since the affiliation with UNISERVITATE in 2024, USJ Macao has actively pursued initiatives that strengthen social responsibility and advance sustainable development. USJ would like to extend the appreciation to the organizing institutions for enabling the participants, whose involvement yielded substantial benefits for both themselves and the communities they served.
Newly named Service Learning Ambassadors of the Uniservitate Asia and Oceania Regional Hub from the Philippines, Nepal, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Macau. Photo courtesy of De La Salle University Archers Network.
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