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IAMRAFI: Conquering Dragons:
From Camp 71 to a Decade After
The Story of Daphne Ramirez Dia, Assistant Director for the Youth Development Program (YDP), Kool Adventure Camp,
10 Years in Service
By Marco Paulo Trajano Deligero | May 22, 2018
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Daphne’s camp name is ‘Pillow’ because she endeavors to bring comfort to the people around her.
She commits herself to consistent self-improvement for her to be a good role model and mentor to the youth — and this is one of the secrets of her 10-years stay in RAFI.
From Camp 71 to Belgium and the Netherlands (Young Minds Academy)
Daphne Dia, or Daphne, had already formed strong ties with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) even before joining the Kool Adventure Camp (KAC).
“I was the documenter for Camp 71 of KAC in 2003, and I got to try first-hand the camp itself, it was very memorable.”
“I was also part of Young Minds Academy in 2007 (Team 1, Generation 1, Season 1), that taught me a lot on social development work, which was also instrumental in my being sent to Belgium and the Netherlands for the Young Minds on Xplore. It was a very enriching experience. I learned a lot and met people from different cultures and background. It was simply awesome.” She added.
On Being the Youngest in Her Family to Being the ‘Big Sister’ in KAC
Daphne, who considers herself an introvert, was born and raised in Toledo, Cebu. Her father is a mechanical engineer while her mother is a public school teacher. She is the youngest of six (five girls, one boy). She considers her position in KAC as a huge responsibility.
She even shared a trivia — her eldest sister was born on the day RAFI was founded which also happens to be the birthday of the founder Don Ramon, November 16, 1966. Talk about coincidence?
Looking for Meaning
Daphne and her family has a business of their own, and her father wants her to be involved in continuing the business.
But Daphne has something different in mind. She constantly reminds herself of the question ‘why do people give back only when they are older? We need to feed the soul, not just the pocket.’
This question has guided her on her career — to build relationships with people, and contribute to nation-building.
“I prefer more face-to-face interactions. I like to build direct connection with people, that is very important for me.”
She joined RAFI on October of 2007 when Mr. Anthony Terence ‘Totits’ Ocampo invited her to apply for the Facilitator position.
Life Is Easier If You Are Passion Driven
Daphne believes that being part of the Kool Adventure Camp is a blessing more than anything else, for it is aligned with what she wants to do in life, which is to be of inspiration to the youth and to continue to be of service to the personal growth of an individual or an organization.
“We get to inspire and influence other individuals, especially the youth, to make a positive change in their own communities and schools.”
‘Being With KAC Is Being With Family’
She also added that being with the KAC means being part of a family.
“We share meals and cook for each other, we travel together, we laugh and cry together, and we even have healthy discussions as well. Basically, being with KAC is like being part of a family. ”
What Makes KAC Different Amongst Others
The Kool Adventure Camp of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-KAC) is the first and only fully dedicated Adventure Education Center in the Philippines.
They value safety & security, and they make sure that campers enjoy their experience at the camp.
“In KAC, we do not have a canned program, we make sure we give the campers the training that they need, provide them with materials and activities that is in line with their personal and professional lives, everything is tailor-fit, that’s one reason which makes us different.” Daphne said
“We make sure that when they have completed their camp training, and leave the gates of the KAC, they are more equipped than ever, and have a genuine desire to create change for themselves, to be of service to the youth, their community and their country.” She added.
More of the ‘Aha’ Moments
Being with KAC also means that she has the chance to see ‘aha’ moments almost everyday.
“What made me stay are precious moments, like seeing the expression of the campers who just ‘flew’ (jumped off) from the pamper pole, seeing so many emotions expressed through their eyes when they have conquered their fears: when doubt/fear turns to courage, then shifts to disbelief (that they were able to slay their “dragons”)…”
“…which then brings them to hope and to dream that they are able to do greater things for as long as they do something about what they want even if it may be difficult at times.” Daphne said.
‘I Believe I Can Fly’
Daphne feels fulfilled every time she sees campers conquering their own ‘dragons’ or fears.
“There will be specific moments that is repeated constantly. Every time, when campers have so much hesitations, uncertainty, insecurities, and when they release all their fears and start “flying”, when they succeed, I look into their eyes and I see success, triumph.”
“It makes my heart full, it makes me complete!” Daphne added.
Conquer ‘Dragons,’ Rest, Repeat
When asked what she does when she’s tired, she simply answered, “I sleep.”
For Daphne rest is as important as work, everything should be balanced.
When asked if she is still afraid of climbing, she answered, “Of course! I still fear it, that is part of being human.”
And then she added and assured, “when the time comes that I am no longer afraid and no longer have fears, that is the time when I am no longer alive.”
“Being afraid is natural, you should learn how to deal with it in the best way possible.” Daphne added.
Daphne and Her Biggest Life Motivation
Family and her colleagues, especially the younger ones, are some of the people she considers as her life motivation.
“My biggest motivation has always been my family and the idea of being able to use the skills, talents and abilities I have to productive use for the organization or community I am part of.”
“I am also very motivated to learn more. They might not know this, or I may not have explicitly told them, but the younger facilitators (those who were hired 2011 and beyond), have been my motivation. When we were given the task to be mentors to them, I pushed myself to know more than what I already knew and to set a good example — how else could I teach them if I don’t know my job…”
“…So yes, I give credit to the younger ones for me to always strive to do better.” Daphne added.
On How She Wants to Be Remembered
When asked on what she wants people to remember about her, Daphne humbly said that it is best if her colleagues will be asked to share their thoughts about her.
I sent a message to one of her colleagues, the Kool Adventure Camp Director herself, Ms. Sol Delantar-Gonzalvo.
“Daphne is a persistent learner. She seeks for answers and likes to share her learnings. She is an introvert but she speaks up when she feels strongly about something.” Delantar-Gonzalvo said.
“She is highly dependable and always keeps the team’s interest in mind. She takes rules seriously and will not hesitate to call out people when they are out of line but she is also first to raise matters especially when well-being is affected.” Delantar-Gonzalvo added.
Another colleague who shared their thought about Daphne is Anthony Terence ‘Totits’ Ocampo, KAC Senior Partnership and Development Officer, Professional Development Program, said.
“Daphne is very well-engaged with the KAC campers and facilitators, including her staff, which is very much appropriate to her chosen camp name ‘Pillow.’ She is generous and a disciplinarian which I believe, she got from the teachings and influence of her mother.”
On Her Greatest Career Accomplishment
For Daphne, seeing how the Youth Development Program (YDP) has grown and changed over the years, is one her greatest accomplishments.
“The YDP and how it changed over the years is one of my greatest accomplishments. Leo [Urpiana] and I started the YDP program ten years ago with just a very lean two-person team. Now we have competent young facilitators who are able inspire campers to make a positive difference to society.” Daphne proudly said.
New Challenges Encountered
For Daphne, mentoring and handling the new and younger staff is a huge responsibility and challenge.
“In the Kool Adventure Camp, experience is our primary product. It is our tool to empower the youth and organizations, and produce synergy amongst the campers, among themselves, their groups and their community, after they finish the camp.”
Pushing this initiative, Daphne said that active leadership & citizenship is one of their advocacies, which includes youth empowerment and creation of new leaders that could lead the nation one day.
On Having An Influence
Daphne believes that we all have the innate ability to influence others.
“Sometimes the youth forget that they have influence, they are not aware that they have created impact, and that they have an impact in the first place.”
“For example, it is never enough to just recognize that there is trash everywhere… we need to go further and ask ourselves: What can I do about it?”
“Then we can start to think of solutions to eliminate or at least minimize the trash in your community. The youth should think that way, that for every act, no matter how big or small it may be, as long as it is consistent and genuine, it will create a huge change.”
“And that is what we are doing in the Kool Adventure Camp: waking up the potential leaders from among our campers — one activity at a time.” Daphne added.
On Being a RAFInian
Daphne believes that being a RAFInian boils down to being able to live a life beyond oneself, and the people you love.
“Most importantly… it is about looking at how we could have a bigger impact in different areas of the community. That has kept me here in RAFI for a long time, a decade this year,”
“Because seeing the great work that my teammates and those from the different program teams, and the support we get internally, make me realize that we, as an institution, is doing something good — in the best way we possibly can.”
People Who Matter
Given this opportunity, Daphne wishes to give thanks to the people she works with at the Kool Adventure Camp.
“I would like to thank Mr. Anthony Terence ‘Totits’ Ocampo, Sheerene ‘En en’ Abrea, Jay Alera, Leo Urpiana – I’ve learned lots of things, I learned the core of why we exist, the purpose of why I am with the Kool Adventure Camp.”
She also expressed her gratitude to the person she believes has supported her in her vision for the KAC – Ms. Sol Delantar-Gonzalvo.
“I work very well with Sol, she has given me the independence and supported me throughout. She taught me the ropes of doing things and has never failed to make me feel supported and comforted.”
Daphne also give thanks to the first KAC Camp Director, Edvan Loh.
“He was the one responsible for KAC to transition from where we were before to how we are now. ”
And of course, her KAC colleagues whom she considers her KAC babies.
“To my KAC Team — previous instructors, new instructors, always do the best we can for the things that we do, we have to mentor new people and, continue the culture that we have started, a culture of love and respect.” Daphne said.
“I am complete.” #IAMRAFI
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“In the Kool Adventure Camp, experience is our primary product. It is our tool to empower the youth and organizations, and produce synergy amongst the campers, among themselves, their groups and their community, after they finish the camp.”
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“To my KAC Team — previous instructors, new instructors, always do the best we can for the things that we do, we have to mentor new people and, continue the culture that we have started, a culture of love and respect.”
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“My biggest motivation has always been my family and the idea of being able to use the skills, talents and abilities I have to productive use for the organization or community I am part of.”
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