Leaders paddle for personal dev’t

To strengthen the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Micro-finance team, 25 of its managers, supervisors and officers enrolled in the Leadership Sea Expedition program of RAFI’s Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) held in Cordova, Cebu and Olanggo Island, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, last July 14-17.

The participants paddled their way across the Hilutungan Channel and went to the islands of Olango, Pangan-an and Caohagan.

A fleet of 13 kayaks travelled an average of 20 kilometers a day, braving the big waves and the rains.

“The program was a challenging experience and an adventure to the highest level. It was tiring but definitely worth it,” said Nineveh Mascariñas, RAFI Micro-finance finance supervisor.

She said the team spent the night in the island and camped on the shoreline. Mascariñas said food was rationed and water was scarce but they were able to go through it as a team.

The program was designed to strengthen the bond among team members and their personal development. It’s also aimed at promoting life and leadership skills through experiential learning and discussions.

“The Leadership Sea Expedition delivers the real experience and metaphor of leadership. The tides, current, weather and waves all bring about the true experience on how the leader brings the group to a sense of oneness. The paddle principle of RAFI president Roberto Aboitiz also connects to the experience of the response-ability of a leader in a crisis situation and in still water. It brings out real leadership, its challenges and how one influences the fleet in a given formation and direction,” Anthony Ocampo, KAC deputy director for adult programs, explained.

KAC is one of the programs under RAFI’s Leadership and Citizenship focus area. Its other focus areas are integrated development, micro-finance and entrepreneurship, culture and  heritage and education.

For more information on RAFI Micro-finance, contact 418-7234 local 706 and look for Arvin Elatico or Mary Donnavel Libron. For more information about KAC, please call 418-7234 local 207 and look for Daphne Dia or visit www.rafi.org.ph.