chonalasaca+VOF Mentor Love Letter

Chona Lasaca + VOF Mentor Love Letter
Dearest Mentor,
I am honored to be part of a circle of women that will get the opportunity to develop our skills in online journalism. I am thrilled to become part of a global initiative in citizen journalism that aims to amplify the voices of women. I look forward to collectively create exciting changes we can only imagine now.
I’m excited but at the same time I feel uncertain. Will I be able to do justice to being chosen as a citizen journalist?
Writing has always been and will always be my passion. But I never got to hone my skills in journalism when I led an activist life and later when I went into community development work. My creative life was virtually zero when I became a single parent to two kids.
Writing always took a back seat to the more demanding work of planning, organizing, mobilizing and managing people and to raising a family almost singlehandedly. It’s harder to write now because I am involved in several projects and commitments. But something in me whispers that now is the time to get back to writing. There’s a lot of issues and stories affecting women and communities in Mindanao, begging out to be written. Writing is like coming home to my inner self. I’ve stayed away for too long, I cannot postpone my coming home.
Thus I need a guiding spirit that will facilitate my return back to my home. I am honored to have you to guide me in the twists and turns of my new work as a citizen journalist. Should I falter in my steps, have patience in me.
Dear mentor, you may torment me if you need be. I am open to subject my work to your critique because I know it will result in a better journalist in me. I am willing to be singed by your comments of my work if it will result in purifying it. I can endure burning if by doing so, my light will burn brighter.
It’s kind of strange to have you mentor me, without me knowing you. Perhaps you have known a little of me by my posts.
I am at awe by your kindness and commitment to share me your time and your knowledge. I can never repay you. I can only repay forward by sharing that knowledge to younger women after us.
I look forward to us knowing each other more in this exciting journey. And may a lasting friendship blooms along the way.