The Silliman University Typhoon Odette Initiative shifts its efforts from relief operations to the rehabilitation of affected persons by conducting psycho-social interventions in the affected communities.
Dr. Edna Calingacion, head of the Psycho-Social Processing team, said they are now looking for volunteers who can be trained. “[Being able] to touch more people’s lives, and help in the process of restoration and healing, requires willing individuals, schools, and groups to work together for a common purpose,” she said.
Dean Calingacion said the core team will first conduct the psycho-social session with frontliners (church workers, health personnel, disaster management personnel) from affected local government units. At the same time, the team will train identified volunteers.
Calingacion said Silliman is also training new volunteers from among the faculty and staff, senior students, church members, and alumni, as well as conduct re-orientation of the current PSP volunteer pool.
She said Silliman will partner with schools in the University Town to be able to respond to the need of providing psycho-social interventions to at least eight municipalities: Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalalud, Tayasan, Ayungon, Bindoy, Manjuyod, and Bais City.
Calingacion added that Silliman could be the training hub in the City for the capacity-building of PSP volunteers.
The objective is to share PSP experiences, help organize their respective institutional PSP Programs, and recognize that schools working together can achieve more.
“Given the extent of affected areas, the number of volunteers available, and the threat of CoViD-19 infection rate, there is a need to rethink the delivery and conduct of the PSP,” said Calingacion.
The theoretical part of the training was conducted virtually. For the skill-building/workshop component, the trainors from Silliman will go to the partner schools. The training program runs until Feb. 12. (SU OIP)
