![International Day of CiSS]()
International Day of CiSS
Bukod sa pagiging pag-asa ng bayan, ang kabataan ay ang boses at ilaw ng ating kinabukasan. (Outside of being our country’s hope, the youth is the voice and light of our future.)
Childhope’s children from Leadership-Aspiring Youth Team (LAYT) phonetically and literally acts as a light for others and within through its core values of Commitment, Hope, Integrity, Leadership, and Diligence (CHILD) since May 2022.
Through LAYT, the empowerment of the youth is upheld with the strong wits and passion of the Youth Mission. In their community, Childhope provides a child-friendly space for the youth where they are protected, educated, and involved. By involving them in Childhope’s plans and implementing programs, the children and youth in street situations are heard loud and clear.
On another note, despite being separated by blood, the children of LAYT treat each other like siblings with gleaming love and compassion, whether through their playful banter or shining support for one another’s talents and achievements.
All the same, they consider other children in street situations like family.
The love for their community shines brighter than the summer sun and behind their radiant glow is a story of youthful passion.
Sherwyn has been a member of Childhope for nine years now, even before he had “teen” at the end of his age. Now, he’s a youth leader in LAYT, advocating for children in street situations like himself.
When Sherwyn was a newly appointed member of LAYT, he struggled with adjusting to being exposed to new experiences and challenges which acted as his teacher.
Nevertheless, he carried on.
He learned things beyond his expectations from when he initially joined Childhope by being a leader, a tutor, and a brother to others.
“Kami yung nagsisilbing kuya [at ate] nila sa bangketa habang kami yung kasama nila.” (We act as their older brothers [and sisters] on the sidewalks whenever we’re beside them.)
His confidence grew significantly as he immersed himself in LAYT, to the point that he expressed a "100%" growth.
Knowing that he has friends and a found family who have his back, Sherwyn wants to be a shoulder to depend on, just as others did for him when he was most vulnerable.
“Matutunan ko ba sila ng gusto nilang malaman?” (Will I get to teach them what they want to learn?)
was one of the many doubts Uziel had when she first joined LAYT.
A member of Childhope between six and seven years, Uziel was known to be introverted and shied away from interacting with her peers. However, when she was given the opportunity to be a member of LAYT, she didn’t take it for granted.
In the beginning, Uziel was doubtful of her abilities, especially in being a role model to children. Even so, she expressed that LAYT contributed to her growth significantly.
“No’ng dati nga, ayoko makipag-interact sa mga tao, gusto ko sila lalapit sa’kin. Ayoko yung ako lalapit sa kanila. Ngayon naman… ambivert [tumawa] hindi na introvert!”
(In the past, I wanted other people to approach me instead. I was adamant about approaching others myself. But now… I’m an ambivert [laughs] not an introvert anymore!)
Uziel grew more open toward others, without feeling like she had to tuck herself away from the crowd. She became comfortable with her fellow members, met new people, and created new friendships.
Having grown so much, Uziel happily shared that she can now give public speeches. While she tends to stutter, she is proud to see how much she has thrived in the past few years.
Angelo, who was once a bashful and nervous member of LAYT, surprised himself with his energetc and crowd-comfortable personality, as well as his talent for dancing.
He was very hesitant to be surrounded by new faces and new personalities and found himself in the corner away from the crowd rather than interacting with anyone.
Eventually, he found his people, who motivated him to show more of himself to others.
Though there are times when Angelo still finds himself hesitating like shying away from public speeches, he is proud to show his talents, especially in front of people he knows would appreciate his abilities and identity.
Pauline joined Childhope almost seven years ago and later joined LAYT. Through LAYT, the sessions they were given equipped her with knowledge that opened her eyes, which she enthusiastically expressed with a passionate voice.
She learned that abuse does not only happen in the streets of the city but also within the four walls of a child’s home at the hands of someone they thought they could trust.
Upholding the rights of children, she also stressed the importance of being a voice for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
“Kailangan talaga ng bawat kabataan na maging katulad namin– na maging boses para mabigyan ng karapatan [ang ibang kabataan].”
(The youth needs to be like us– to be a voice to give [other children] their rights.)
Children, even children in street situations have the right to needs they rightfully own. The advocates of Childhope and youth leaders of LAYT shed light on urban poor children in the Philippines who are often in the dark.
The fight for children’s rights is a long battle, but it’s a battle the youth are willing to take for their future.
![A campaign poster made by a street child.]()
A campaign poster made by a street child.
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