Ang Ateneo Gabay ay isa sa mga organisasiyong kabilang sa Sector-Based Cluster ng Council of Organizations sa Pamantasan ng Ateneo de Manila.

Higit apatnapung taon nang ipinagpapatuloy ng Ateneo Gabay ang tradisyon nito ng paglilingkod sa pamamagitan ng paghubog sa mga miyembro nito, pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga iskolar ng Pamantasan ng Ateneo de Manila, at pagbibigay ng libreng edukasiyon sa ilang mga estudyante ng Industrial Valley Elementary School at Holy Spirit Elementary School.

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The thing about Gabay is that it teaches you different ways you can help out and you just have to be willing to learn.

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Ateneo Gabay founded in 1976 to help Atenean scholars. Beyond the mission geared toward the scholars, the organization also saw the persistent need beyond the confines of the campus—particularly the neglected communities. Because of this realization, the organization began assisting hospitals for the poor and disabled. Upon seeing how lack of quality education leads to further inequalities, Gabay shifted their focus to the public elementary schools and has been able to support their beneficiaries through scholarships. 

The organization hopes to share with their members how essential a role they play in the realities of Ateneo and the Philippines. 

 

“We let them know how we fight for change—positive change—of the sectors. We express that they can have an essential role in these efforts and for the communities. In doing so, we will be able to educate more people, enlightening them about possible misguided and confusing views, bringing the hope of solving these matters collectively. A leap of faith worth taking.”

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There is value in focusing on shaping the future of society through education. The lack of quality education—which should be a universal right—leads to the massive disproportion in communities and exacerbation of other inequalities.

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Gabay does not believe that they should stand alone and puts this belief into action through resolute purpose and various partnerships with other socially-oriented organizations. 

In order to improve their activities, the members gather all the learnings and realizations and reflect them in actionable plans. 

 

Throughout their stay in the organization, the members aim to continue serving the sectors and growing with their fellow Gabayanos and to be a reliable support system and hopes that the organization is still as committed to their sectors—if not more. 

 

“We wanted our members to get to know each other beyond work and not have a purely transactional relationship and launch forms of communications and integrate their small initiatives. We aim to forge more partnerships with organizations inside and outside the university and spread the message of our advocacy of taking care of Gabay's people.”

 

“To our members, we only ever aimed to be honest—showing what Gabay is, who its members are, and what it is for. We integrate our advocacy statement in every bit and get testimonials from past and present members about their growth in pagtataya and even show the scholars and Erya kids themselves (the sectors).”

 

Gabay hopes to further its initiatives for the sector as it grows and adapt to whatever their beneficiaries need in the future. They strive to further utilize their resources to diversify the organization’s strategies in engaging with the kids and even support them outside education. 

 

“We want to use our platforms to be a voice—especially in engaging the people about the education sector and the pressing issues plaguing our country.”

 

“Peace-building and community development are necessary endeavors for progress. There is nothing good in utilizing violent actions and methods to get goals. We must resolve injustice and overturn toxic structures by treating them with healthy and sustainable strategies. With everyone's collective and persistent effort, we can find a way. With cooperation and inclusivity, we can empower each other towards a common cause.”

 

“In peace-building and community development, you will encounter different bridges to cross and the difficulty in tackling each one varies. Listen to the other side where growth and development starts. In order to achieve peace, a healthy discussion must transpire. You must be transparent so that people can help you.”