Run for fun (and to reach your dreams)

A Million Voices (AMV) and Enshored conducted the first Fun Run for AMV scholars and Enshored employees to share experiences and have a good time together.

Last July 30, AMV scholars had their first opportunity to exercise, play, make new friends and visit the outside campus of one of the top universities in the Philippines. The Fun Run took place at the Oblation of University of Philippines -UP Diliman, also considered one of the best spots for running in the city due to its large green area.

Together with employees of Enshored, a BPO company established in the country in 2014, our scholars joined their first Fun Run, which aimed to promote healthy lifestyle and exchange experiences between people from different backgrounds. But for that Saturday morning specifically, everyone was looking to have fun and spend good time together outside their usual environments, such as office buildings and school classrooms.

When Jhommer, an AMV student from grade 6, woke up at 4:30am to ensure he would be on time for the run, little did he know he would go back home with a PHP 3,000 Gift Certificate worth of meals in local restaurants for winning the competition. Jhommer was able to complete the full route of 2.2 Km in only 14’26’’. Aside from the prize, all scholars received a water tumbler and a towel.

The event also counted with personal efforts from the organizers: Gale Manzan, recruiter of Enshored, volunteered to prepare more than 60 sandwiches at her own house and bring to the event. Arnold Yuson, one of the team captains, led the stretching exercise before the actual run and was also in charge of explaining their type of work and industry as the curiosity of scholars was just increasing the more time was spent together.

Some employees of Enshored were invited to share their life stories involving difficulties in continuing their studies during childhood due to financial constraints or lack of support from their families. AMV scholars were able to relate to their own paths and were inspired to keep fighting for their dreams. The message? “Fight, fight and fight, and we will reach our goal!” said one of the scholars on the way home.