By Gian Paula A. Bilbao, BS Psychology 4 Block 4

BS Psychology students of Central Philippine University conduct the “BRAVE Kids: Building Resilience and Valuing Emotions” outreach program in Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro, engaging children through storytelling, games, arts and crafts, and other interactive activities that promote emotional resilience and self-expression.

“To be BRAVE is to know your heart as well as you know your strength.”

Resilience can grow through simple but meaningful moments, sharing stories, playing games with others, or making art together. These activities became the heart of the outreach program conducted by the 4th Year BS Psychology students of Central Philippine University in Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro.

We chose to work with the 10–12 age group because that’s when emotional intelligence really starts to click. Our ‘BRAVE Kids’ program was all about helping them build that inner strength at just the right time.” On May 2, 2026, we came together for this outreach as our final project after ending our OJT, serving as the perfect wrap-up to our senior year, proving that the most important lessons in psychology aren’t graded in a room, but felt in the community.

The success of the event came from the teamwork and preparation behind the scenes. On April 9, 2026, the group met at Halfmoon Drive to finalize tasks and complete all storytelling activities and game plans before the April 17 deadline. Each member played an important role like food, materials, transportation, certificates, waivers, and other preparations were carefully organized to make the outreach possible. Wearing their type BS Psych uniform, the team showed unity, cooperation, and dedication in making the program a success.

As the children arrived at the USWAG Gym, the venue quickly filled with their lively energy. Some of the kids were quiet and shy at first, while others were already hyped up to participate. The activities were planned to make learning about emotions enjoyable and engaging rather than formal and serious. The day began with a lively Zumba session, followed by interactive games that taught the importance of cooperation, perseverance, and teamwork.

Beyond the games, the program also gave the children chances to express themselves creatively. Through storytelling, many of the kids were able to reflect on their own experiences and emotions while actively engaging with the facilitators. The arts and crafts session allowed them to show their feelings through drawings and creative work, revealing how imaginative and expressive they were. Even during snack time, simple conversations and shared laughter helped build a closer connection between the facilitators and the children.

By the closing part of the event, the atmosphere inside the gym felt more connected and emotional. The simple act of giving gifts and sharing reflections made the experience memorable for everyone. Some children were still full of energy and asked if there would be more games, some were sad that the program will end, while others shared how thankful they were for the new school materials given to them.

As psychology students completing our final project after our internship, we were initially focused on fulfilling our last requirement, but the outreach taught us lessons that could not be learned inside a classroom alone. Seeing the children become more confident and expressive reminded us of the importance of emotional resilience. In the end, “BRAVE” represented not only the program, but also the growth shared by both the children and the facilitators.