TAYO 3TEN ACCOMPLISHED YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS NATIONAL FINALISTS

LUZON

Benguet State University – Development Communication Society (CAR)

In an effort to arrest the continued modernization of Cordilleran children and the dying of their culture, the BSU DevComm Society undertook a two-phase research and IEC activity to create a book for preschool children based on legends and other moral-laden stories from Cordilleran elders. The areas covered during the Montañosa phase (their entry) is Benguet and Mountain Province.

Sining Bulakenyo – Pangkat Mananayaw ng Bulakan (Region 3)

Project Entry: Promotion of Folk Dance for National Identity and Nation Building

Sining Bulakenyo has this vision of folk dancing: as one dances, one shows their pride as Filipinos. They have researched and resurrected two traditional dances in Bulacan and aided the creation of several folk dance troupes in the province in support of this ideal.

University of the Cordilleras – Supreme Student Government (CAR)

Project Entry: CHAMP OSY (Coaching and Mentoring to Help Attain Maximum Performance for Out-of-School Youth)

The organization led the school in the implementation of review classes for the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) takers of November 2004. This exam is given to those who have not yet finished high school to enable them to acquire high school standing and allow them to enter tertiary education. The group aims to equalize education opportunities in their area.

Tanghalang Lepanto – Benguet (CAR)

Project Entry: Tanghalang Lepanto: Participating Partner in Youth’s Social Transformation in Lepanto, Benguet

This theater group aims to provide access to arts, specifically theater arts, to students in the area who would otherwise have no access to it. They have provided the community with a common ground for both the rich and poor, bridging the gaps brought by social class through theater.

Young Artists’ Fellowship for the Environment (Region 4-A)

Project Entry: Enviro-Art Workshop Series

YAFE targets rural youth with a 2-3 day workshop integrating the arts with their advocacy of environmental stewardship. Their series has been conducted in Laguna primarily, and they are beginning their advocacy in Ifugao and Camarines Sur.

VISAYAS

Project Entry: YECS Cooperative and Bank

Operated and managed by students, YECS Cooperative and Bank is a two-pronged venture aimed at training students in the management and operation of cooperatives banks while helping the community generate funds and obtain credit for their small businesses. The high school officers and members of the program promote prudence, not only among their peers, but among the other members of their community as well.

Project Entry: JPIA – “We make Accounting Work”

True to its slogan, “We make Accounting Work”, this high impact project has changed the operations of six (6) agricultural cooperatives in Janiuay, Mina and Maasin, Iloilo. Twenty-seven JPIAn volunteers bring the rudiments of accounting to these people’s organizations to help them simplify their daily transaction records and financial operation reports.

Teatro Kabataan sa Southern Leyte (Region 8)

Project Entry: Advocacy campaign on the rights and responsibilities of the Child

Teatro Kabataan envisions Southern Leyte inhabited by healthy, peace-loving and understanding people. Responding to the needs of their community, the group empowers children by informing them of their rights and responsibilities through theater.

Young Catholic Movement – Sogod (Region 8)

Project Entry: Youth Coastal Cleaning Brigade The pathetic state of their immediate environment triggered volunteerism among the youth of Sogod in Southern Leyte. Their aim is to bring back the source of life of the Sogodnons – the Sogod Bay. The prime movers of this five year project mobilize support among the different schools from elementary to college levels.

West Visayas State University Political Science Students’ Organization (Region 6)

Project Entry: Adopt Alimodias Project

Aiming to promote literacy among the children of Alimodias, Miag-ao, Iloilo, a group of young political science students extends its knowledge, material resources and services to render basic education to poverty stricken children.

MINDANAO

Anak ng Tribo (Region 10)

Project Entry: Cultural Presentation of the Talaandig

Based in the foothills of Mount Kitanglad in Tulungan Songco Lantapan, Bukidnon. The project entry involves young people in the preservation and promotion of the culture, beliefs and practices of the Talaandig tribe. It also aims to promote their cultural identity through arts, dances, music, handicrafts and their distinct religious practices, and to build a strong tribal youth organization inside the community.

Beehive 4-H Club (Region 12)

Project Entry: Mlang Youth Association (Region 12)

Project Entry: ARH Information Education Campaign

Their project entry aims to ensure that young men and women practice responsible reproductive health as a way of life, acquiring skills and appropriate behavior in addressing life’s challenges and society’s pressures by being pro-active and having wholesome work values.

Save Mindanao Volunteers, Inc. (CARAGA)

Project Entry: From Wetland to Upland Literacy Program

The program seeks to give basic and functional education to the illiterate indigenous communities that are not reached by government educational institutions. The organization is committed to provide services and programs focused on literacy, health, livelihood and environmental protection.

State College Mathematics Society (Region 10)

Project Entry: Math Readiness Summer Course

The program is for high school and college students, covering a month-long summer refresher course in Mathematics. It aims to eliminate mathematics anxiety and/or phobia, and equip students with the necessary mathematical abilities.

NCR

Kabataang Gabay ng Bayan (KAGABAY)

Project Entry: K! AKTIBO

Their community in Parola, Tondo, was known to be a disease-infested area. Their tuberculosis eradication advocacy had each member handle one TB patient/ward (each patient was visited at home by volunteers and made to take their medicines every day). Detection of TB was also increased.

KANLUNGAN (Kilusan Para sa Kalikasan)

Project Entry: Oplan Sagip Batang Pier

The project is located in North Harbor, Tondo, Manila. Their beneficiaries are the rugby boys/girls in the area. Through regular visits, the organization members hope that they are building rapport with these kids. Some of these youth are later encouraged to go back to their homes, return to school and quit sniffing rugby.

Mu Sigma Phi Sorority

Project Entry: Our Lady of Remedios Parish Community Health Workers Training Program

The organization trained members of the community as Health Workers. They were able to graduate 9 health workers. These health workers were given refresher courses to allow them to develop their skills and are now able to train other community volunteers to maintain the project.

San Beda Dragon Boat Rowing Society

Project Entry: Dream Paddles

This is a skill transfer program where residents of Pangarap Shelter (an institution for male street children in Pasay City) are taught paddle making skills while providing a venue to practice carpentry. The proceeds are kept by the institution and given to the beneficiaries as they graduate from Pangarap Shelter. The organization also aims to create the first dragon boat team composed of out-of-school youths from the Pangarap Shelter.

UP Special Education Council

Project Entry: CanART!

UP SEC aims to further the learning of differently-abled children through art. They have held two art workshops (in 2003, for Down’s syndrome kids and in 2004, for hearing impaired kids) for free. The children are given free art materials and instructed about the projects for that workshop. This workshop also deepens the learnings that members of the organization and other volunteers have on handling differently-abled children.