De La Salle College Mangere visits the Philippines

De La Salle College Mangere, New Zealand, visited the Philippines from 26 September to 09 October 2024. Composed of 17 senior high school boys and 5 Lasallian partners, the group was headed by Mr. Thomas Dermot English, Associate Principal of the school. They embarked on an educational and cultural immersion, as well as service-learning activities.

During their stay, they visited De La Salle University Manila, La Salle Green Hills, St. Jaime Hilario School - De La Salle Bataan, and De La Salle Santiago Zobel School. They participated in various activities, including exposure to urban poor and rural communities in Tondo, Manila, Montalban, Rizal, and Bagac, Bataan; had a reachout and participated in the building and construction work in a Pawikan Sanctuary, repainted classrooms at JHIS-La Salle; conducted outreach activities at the New Bilibid Prison Medium Security Compound and Haven for Children. They also visited the relic of St. John Baptist De La Salle at the Santuario on the DLSU Laguna campus, and just before leaving the country, paid a visit to Rizal Park to get to know more about Philippine History.

Their visit was enriched by class visitation and observations, and interactions and conversations with fellow high school students from the aforementioned schools, making their experience particularly meaningful and worthwhile.