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Tne intefView WAS Set. tn a room with an aspiring volunteer in front ofme, we exchange pleasantries about each other, get to know a bit of herbackground, and I venture into asking rso why did you choose to give up a year ofyour life to be a volunteer for AMA?| And with a sparkle in her eyes, she sincerely

answerstl hove received so much in my life, I justwantto beable to give back.'

These words echo back memories twenty years ago when I too, to the shock of my family, announced that I wasgoing to volunteer for a year as an AMA (Associate Missionaries of the Assumption) to the far flung province ofAntique. As a religion teacher to elementary school students of San Jose Academy, I left for a year, ready toimmerse myself in the life of a missionary, without much belongings, but with a heart resolved to give, full ofanticipation of where this life of service will take me.

That year away from the family for the first time has afforded me a chance to really nurture my faith. I lived with theAssumption sisters, and had a personal peek of their contemplative life in action. I encountered God in the fondestway through the Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and participating regularly in Vespers. My AMA yearhas definitely built the foundation for many life decisions that necessitated a dying to self to be able to love more.After all, St Marie Eugenie says tLove dies without sacrifice.'

Today, I continue to be involved with the volunteer program of AMA, as President of its Board of Trustees,encouraging young graduates and professionals to offer a year of service to various communities across all regionsin the Philippines and in the world. We have currently sent off Batch z9 of the Volunteer Program, partnering withAssumption mission schools and other communities, here and abroad. Volunteers work in various capacities asteachers, campus ministers, youth leaders, school staff, community organizers, facilitators, and admin assistants, allto answer the needs of the communities they serye. Among our alumni, we have 3 priests, 4 seminarians, 7 sisters,a big number of public school teachers, and a host of workers both in government and non governmentorganizations. Proof that a life of mission lives on.

I have always believed that one of the gifts of Assumption to its alumnae is to have planted the seeds ofcompassion for those in need. The missionary spirit dwells in the heart of every Assumptionist, it only needs to bestirred to be able to experience it in its fullness. AMA has triggered this missionary zealwithin me, and it is myprayer that as we continue to bring awareness to young people of the vast opportunities available for them toserve, they too, will carry on this zeal with them.

Celebrating a Muslim feast in Lanao del Nortereryal&EsciiriA volunteer Nonelyn Batch 29

Leo, Batch 26 & 27 planting Mangroves inKauswagan

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