To help more street children to help themselves

There were twenty (20) youth in all who participated in the project since the start of its second cycle implementation last July 2019. From that big number of youth participants, only fifteen remain during the preliminary sessions (SFL and Financial Education). In the end, there were only thirteen (13) who proceeded with their enrollment in the Manila Manpower Development Center (MMDC) for their skills training. One of these enrolled youth quit the training at MMDC even before the training started because she chose to work instead after being influenced by her husband.

All twelve (12) youths who enrolled in MMDC for their skills training were all able to survive and eventually graduated. Courses they enrolled are Food and Beverage Services (9 youth), Beauty Care (2 youth), and Barista (1 youth).  

As of reporting period, activities that were implemented are: Orientation on Street Youth Empowerment Project among youth participants and some street educators; Preliminary session on Skills For Life (SFL) and Financial Education (FinEd); Entrepreneurship Session; Livelihood Training; and Skills Training of Youth in MMDC. Prior to the conduct of these activities, preparation of the concerns necessary for its implementation were facilitated from preparation and purchase of materials up to coordination of relevant persons that are essential in achieving our goal for the project.

Activities implemented during the reporting period

• Skills Training at MMDC. The one (1) month training period for the skills training of youth participants to the VocTech project took place as of reporting period. The supposedly 1month period of the training was extended by a week or more due to some unavoidable cancellation of classes in the training center as regards other concerns of teacher when compelled by their superior not to mention class suspension due to typhoon and others. Additional days of classes were intended to make-up with such loss and to be able to complete all the lessons designed for each course. There were three (3) courses enrolled and finish by youth participants of this batch in the training center and they are; Food and Beverage Services (9 youth), Beauty Care (2 Youth), and Barista (1 youth). Beauty Care was the newest course taken in this batch since the other two (2) courses were commonly taken in the past. The course demands several materials for each skill taught under it just like in Barista course but the materials in the former course are more expensive than the latter. The youth of this batch displayed eagerness and focus in attending their regular classes and seldom committed absences and tardiness.

• Preliminary session on Skills For Life (SFL) continued. Last module on Skills For life was facilitated last August 5, 2019. Topic facilitated was Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution Skill. The session was attended by all youth participants of the current batch being the last meeting for the preparatory session. As our last session on Skills For Life, youth participants’ learning was gauge by allowing them answer a post-test prepared by the facilitator. The test was the same as the pre-test answered by them before starting the first module of SFL in our first session. Majority of the youth participants showed improvement in answering the post-test as compared with their pre-test which signifies that they learned from the session on Skills For Life. Along with the last session on Skills For Life, participants again were ask for the final choice of course which they intend to enroll in MMDC training center which was slated on the last week of the month. As expected there were some of the youth who sustained their chosen course during the orientation about the project while others decided to change their course due to encouragement by their peers.

• Entrepreneurship Session. The session on entrepreneurship was held in Childhope office. This session was in preparation for the livelihood training which was scheduled the following week. Objective of the session is to help the youth participants to gain skill in handling their own business if ever they decided to start one. Entrepreneurship skill learned by the youth participants provided them an option if ever they consider starting their own business or improving their existing one in the absence of an employment in establishments. The session is in preparation for the livelihood training of the youth participants the following week if ever they decided to utilized their learning in the said training. In the session, youth participants realized their capacity to start their own business while considering as well the risk that goes along with it that they need to anticipate. Youth participants were also made to think of a business which they are interested with and hope to start if given the chance.

• Livelihood Training. Livelihood training for youth participants of VocTech project was facilitated at Childhope office. The trainings were facilitated for two (2) days by Ms. Loida Buhian who is very experience in facilitating different kinds of livelihood skills in different communities. She was always commissioned by Childhope whenever we wanted to provide trainings to the parents of street children. Trainings that were facilitated on the first day are liquid dishwashing soap and perfume making while on the second day powdered soap and fabric softener making were facilitated. Youth participants of the training were grouped into three (3) and each group were provided with materials for demonstration after learning the method. As observed, youth participants very keen in learning the methods taught by the facilitator and as a result, each group accurately demonstrated what is expected of them. Finished products were carefully packed and labeled by youth participants themselves for better presentation. The youth were encouraged to consider starting their owned business out of any of the product learned in the training for just a small capital. The facilitator even pledged to be always there to assist them by answering their questions if they have one as soon as they decided to start their business. Youth participants with some of the staff of Childhope and ACC21 headed by Mr. Ito had a photo op along with all the finish products for documentation.

• Enrollment of VocTech youth participants to MMDC. The following week after the Livelihood Training, current youth participants of VocTech were referred to Manila Manpower Development Center (MMDC) for their enrollment. There were two (2) schedules that take place in the enrollment of youth participants since not all of them showed up on the first schedule. The first scheduled enrollment was participated by only ten (10) youths and three (3) youth on the next schedule. Courses enrolled by youth participants are Food and Beverage Services (9 youth), Beauty Care (2 youth), Barista (1 youth), and Housekeeping (1 youth). In the enrollment, youth participants looked presentable since they made effort to look clean, dress-up well and arranged themselves for the said engagement. The enrollment took place in MMDC-Aroceros which is not the venue of the VocTech training but rather MMDC-Tayuman. After the enrollment, youth were accompanied to MMDC-Tayuman where the venue of the training will be taking place for them to know where it is located.

• Attendance to network activities and others. Meeting with students from Cyuo University belonging to Prof. Ito at KASAGANA KA office located in their new address in Quezon City. The meeting was attended as well by some of the staff of the host organization along with one (1) of their youth member and participants from Childhope. Childhope attendees in the meeting are the VocTech coordinator along with Ate Ester and two (2) of VocTech’s past graduates (Myla Cruz and Ailene Bolo). Objective of the meeting is to provide the students from Japan understanding about the concept of Micro-Finance in the Philippines and KASAGANA KA was one of the respondents in their visit to the Philippines in collecting necessary information about it. In the meeting, KASAGANA KA provided an orientation about their program for better understanding of how they do Micro-Finance business and to prepare the group for the plenary discussion after. The plenary discussion provided a venue for students and other guest to ask questions for clarification. Youth representatives from KASAGANA KA and Childhope were encouraged to share their story and their experience in engaging with a Micro-Finance service which they did openly without hesitation. The following day, KASAGANA KA visited Childhope to provide orientation about their program and services with the current youth participants of the VocTech project together with the staff of Childhope. The activity was arranged by Ate Ester with KASAGANA KA through Ms. Me-an Ignacio. Objective of the activity was to provide the staff of Childhope and the current youth participants of VocTech an orientation about the Micro-Finance business of KASAGANA KA before their formal membership to its cooperative for better understanding.

Links:

• Empowering Street Youth Through Livelihood & Skills Training