Tagaytay City—The SVD Laudato Si' Farm welcomed a diverse group of young students from various East Asian countries as part of the third-day activities of this year's SYM CIAO Camp last July 31, 2024.
The camp, organized by the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), served as an international celebration that brought together young people, lay animators, and FMA (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians) Sisters from across the region under the Conferenza Interispettoriale Asia Orientale (Interprovincial Conference of East Asia).
The delegates hailed from countries such as Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Timor Leste, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Their visit to the SVD Farm resonated deeply with this year's camp theme, "Young Dreamers: Empowering Dreams for a Just and Sustainable World," as the activities provided both spiritual enrichment and hands-on learning about sustainability.
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Throughout their visit, the attendees explored the SVD Farm in small groups, each following different paths to six stations.
At the St. Raphael Organic Farming Area, they experienced the satisfaction of planting lettuce, an activity that underscored their commitment to sustainable agriculture. Meanwhile, at the nursery greenhouse, other groups worked on preparing arokarya (araucaria) seedlings, gaining hands-on experience in ecological conservation.
The Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor served as a sacred space for prayer, where the students gathered to deepen their spiritual connection through reflection. This was complemented by a short pilgrimage to the statue of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a journey that took them along the Hill of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
At another station, the St. Peter Fishpond and Gazebo provided an ideal setting for learning about sustainability and the principles of Laudato Si’. Nearby, at the St. Therese Flower Garden, each group spent time in quiet reflection, allowing the beauty of nature to inspire their silent prayer.
One of the Filipino teachers who accompanied the delegates shared, "Dito, mas na-deepen ang pananampalataya nila sa Panginoon," emphasizing the profound impact the visit had on the students' faith and understanding of their role in caring for creation.
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For reservations and other information, including ways to support and connect with the SVD Farm, contact us through:
📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org