On October 5, 2024, international exchange students from the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde took part in a meaningful community engagement activity—volunteering with KAWA Pilipinas to prepare and distribute meals for indigent families across Metro Manila.
Organized in partnership with the Center for Social Action (CSA), the initiative introduced the visiting students to Benilde’s culture of inclusive service and social responsibility. Before heading to the kitchen, the volunteers attended an orientation session that highlighted the mission of KAWA Pilipinas—a volunteer-driven movement that provides nutritious meals to vulnerable communities. Students then worked alongside local volunteers in the preparation, packaging, and distribution of meals, applying their culinary skills to serve those most in need.
The outreach was not only a hands-on service experience but also an extension of Benilde’s international mobility program, which encourages exchange students to engage in projects that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By participating in the food-sharing initiative, the students contributed to SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, demonstrating how global learning and local action can go hand in hand.
Through initiatives like this, Benilde reaffirms its commitment to nurturing globally minded and socially engaged learners—individuals who use their talents and education to make a difference. The collaboration with KAWA Pilipinas embodies the spirit of servant leadership and community solidarity, values that continue to define the Benildean approach to international education.
