Damay immersion cultivates empathy

“Damay Immersion?”
“Matutulog sa ibang bahay?”
“Walang bidet?”
“Di ko sila kilala!”
“Bakit bawal ang basketball at cellphone?”
“Ano gagawin at sasabihin ko dun?”

Such are the questions and reactions that ripple through AJHS classrooms as students murmur in their seats during the Damay immersion orientation. Though valid, respected and heard, these questions can only be answered during the actual experience itself, one that unexpectedly touches the hearts of Ateneans and stays in their core memories. 

The Damay immersion is a transforming experience that invites Grade 10 Ateneo de Manila Junior High School students to leave their comfort zones and live with foster families in developing communities. After a two-hour ride to their assigned partner community, students alight the vehicles that brought them to the area and then interact with people from various backgrounds, learning about their lives and developing a greater understanding of life’s simplicity. Whether it be through chores like washing dishes and watching over foster siblings, conversations on livelihood and faith on a bench made of bamboo under the trees, or long walks to the palengke to buy ingredients for lunch, the Damay immersion experience cultivates a new perspective within our young Ateneans. 

The opportunity to immerse oneself in the life of another family that resides in a developing rural neighborhood is a unique experience for our middle-class students. Through dynamic interaction with people from humble origins and simple walks of life, a deeper understanding and respect for diversity blooms within our students. The opportunity to sample new meals, live a simpler lifestyle and even learn a few words in another language is what Damay participants experience in the area from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. 

After taking time to process and share the events of the trip with their CSIP teachers – a vital component of the program - our young Ateneans reveal that they have learned to empathize with their foster families and understand their contexts. More significantly, they realize that humanity’s essence consists of the same core values that we all share: love for one’s family and the desire to make the dreams of its members come true. 

As our grade 10 boys return, alight from the vehicles that brought them back, and step onto the campus once more, they carry a better comprehension regarding the difficulties and opportunities that others encounter, knowledge that can lead them to make more considerate and well-informed choices. 

The Damay immersions have been ongoing since 1998, and the communities in Sitio Boso-boso, Antipolo, Sapang Palay Area-F, Bulacan and other former partner communities continuously open their doors to Ateneans. Partner communities and foster families have welcomed the students into their homes, offered them beds, and shared their food without hesitation. The students stay with the foster families for two to three days to get to know them more and learn life lessons that classrooms and books cannot teach. Though the families only have limited resources, they have a wealth of experiences and stories to share with our young Ateneans.

And though Damay became virtual and evolved into a letter exchange because of the Covid pandemic, it persisted despite so many challenges. And now that it has become a mandatory onsite activity once again, the program continues to thrive because of the partner communities' generosity and commitment. These are what make the two-day immersion a truly memorable one that transforms the worries and fears of our grade 10 students into eye-opening realizations.  

“Sana mas matagal pa ang stay.”
“Masaya pala dito. Mababait pala sila.”
“Ang dami ko natutunan kina Nanay at Tatay.”
“Gusto ko bumalik dito. Napaka simple ng buhay.”
“Hindi ko ito malilimutan.”