What is LNK?
Landas Ng Karunungan (LNK) is an organization under the Sta. Maria della Strada Parish. Together with the Solo Parents, it gives financial aid to low-income parishioners. Specially, LNK acts as the educational arm of the parish. It helps the high school parishioners by providing summer tutorial programs and scholarship during the year. It seeks to develop the academic skills of the students. Besides this, the organization leads the way to the student’s holistic development through formation activities provided the entire year.
LNK HISTORY
In September 1981, while visiting the different areas of the Parish, Fr. Patricio H. Lim, the parish priest of SMDS back then, noted that there were many young people in the parish who could not finish their high school studies because they could not afford it. Many of them wanted to go a step higher in their search for jobs, but because of their lack of academic requirements they had to settle for low paying jobs. Sometimes it gets worse they get no jobs at all. Fr. Pat decided to do something about it and gathered several young and enthusiastic people like Monchit Gutierrez and Nappy Navarro and people like solo parents. With their commitment and Fr. Pat’s guidance, the seed of the Landas Ng Karunungan Program was planted in the parish.
The Scholarship program adopted the Tulong Dunong Program of Ateneo de Manila University and the same time used it as a criterion for choice to whom they are going to give scholarships. It was decided that they would provide scholarships only for fourth year high school students. Another criterion for choice were the home visit by tutors and the solo parents. In time, scholarships were not only provided for 4th year students, but to those who excelled, wanted and were determined to excel as well.
The first summer tutorial was held under a big tent in the parish grounds. Graduation was held at the Balara Chapel. Former Minister of Public Works Vicente Jaime did the honors in handing out graduation certificates.
During the second batch, classes were held at the Maryknoll cafeteria and gradation at the Sta. Maria della Strada Parish church. Nest summer, classes were crammed into the Social Hall of the church. This became the permanent venue for classes as well as a year-long program. They also formed officers’ among students. NCEE review classes were conducted; the tutors donated CAT uniforms to the students. Other activities of LNK included fund raising, recollection, sport fest and the handling of awards during graduation. An interesting feature was added to the LNK program during the fifth batch was the Friday Moral Formation classes handled by Bro. Abel Andrada. These classes included spiritual themes.
Through all this time, the solo parents have been performing an important role in the program. They provided the logistics and funding for the scholarships. They were always there to give advice to the tutors whenever needed. The program survived and passing year saw the improvement in methods and activities. It thrived because of the commitment of the tutors and the students, the dedication of solo parents, and the continued guidance and spiritual support of Fr. Pat. But most of all, it thrived because of the faith, hope and love that insisted on keeping CHRIST the center of the whole program and instilled in all the spirit of selfless and wholesome service for the greater glory of GOD.
MISSION – VISION
Landas Ng Karunungan aims to provide opportunities to the deserving members of the youth sector of the parish through scholarships and academic skills development for a better and stronger community.
What is LNP?
LNP (Landas Ng Paglilingkod) is a service program of the Parish for young boys from indigent families who live within the parish area. Its objective is to help them become better citizens by giving them opportunities to serve the church as traffic aides, as well as provide help during the processions, fiestas, and Holy Week activities.
LNP HISTORY
The Landas Ng Paglilingkod (LNP) project started in 1986. It was observed that there were number of streets boys practicing the watch-your-car trade by “extortion” car owners who were attending Mass during Sunday at Sta. Maria della Strada Church.
Aware of this, our Parish Priest, Monsignor Patricio H. Lim, thought of an idea of transforming these boys into something more positive, more constructive and useful parishioners. He encouraged the boys to forego their previous way of living and offered them stipends and scholarships instead. In return, they were to serve the Parish as traffic aides, especially during Saturday Masses. He invited a group of parishioners to help them implement this project.
In the beginning, about 25 boys with ages ranging from 9 – 25, were admitted into the project. In the course of time, the number of boys grew exponentially , reaching the total of 90 in 2004, 9*3 in 2005, and now 91 in 2006. Because of this outstanding growth, it was decided that Bulilit Brigade of small boys, ages 9 – 12 be formed with a mission of assisting the bigger boys to facilitate parking for the churchgoers.
MISSION – VISION
(HANGARIN)
Maging halimbawa ng mga kabataan sa paglilinkod – MAGING TULAD KAY KRISTO at maging kapaki-pakinabang na mamamayan sa hinaharap.
(LAYUNIN)
Paano natin makakamit an gating hangarin? Kasabay ng mga komite ng parokya at mga magulang:
-> Maging isang tanyag (elite) na grupo ng kabataan sa parokya.
-> Maging pangunahing serbisyong pantrapiko at bantay-kotse sa buong diocese (epektibo at huwaranng serbisyong trapiko at seguridad ng mga sasakyan at mga nagsisimba.)
