Launching of MDGs: “Universal Primary Education for All” in Barangay Pasdong, Atok, Benguet

I don't have much time today to write about the outreach program that we conducted in Barangay Pasdong, Atok, Benguet almost two weeks ago so I will feature the article written by a promising member of the Cordillera Youth Network for Global Change (CYNCG). Her name is Janine Charlotte B. Diso and find below is here article called Launching of MDGs: “Universal Primary Education for All” in Barangay Pasdong, Atok, Benguet (I will have a separate article for the said outreach if I'm no longer "too busy.")

The facilitators with Atok Municipal Mayor Honorable Peter B. Alos.

"The Cordillera Youth Network for Global Change (CYNGC) in partnership with Saint Louis University- Kataas-taasang Sangunian ng mga Mag-aaral / Supreme Student Council, Prime Movers Society (SLU-PMS), Kings Colleges of the Philippines-Supreme Student Government (KCP-SSG), University of the Philippines Baguio-Gawad Kalinga (UPGK-Baguio) and the GDC Quality Assurance Department-SITEL Baguio conducted an Outreach Program at Barangay. Pasdong, Atok, Benguet with the theme “Launching of Millennium Development Goal: UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR ALL” on November 30, 2013.

"The said organizations assembled in the open gymnasium of Capitol, La Trinidad, Benguet at 5:00 in the morning and arrived at Brgy. Pasdong at 9:00 am. The vehicle used to convey the youth team for transportation from La Trinidad to Atok, Benguet was provided by the Municipality of Atok.

An "elf-ride" for almost three hours going to an isolated area is tiring but rewarding. 

"The community members led by their barangay officials welcomed the group with smiles their warm greetings and big smiles. The youth team were able to participate and witness the Community Assembly and the Turn Over Program, it started with an invocation followed by Pambansang Awit, Opening Remarks and recognition for the presence of the group by the Hon. Remejio F. Silug, the punong barangay of Pasdong, Atok.The CYNGC president, Debraliz Gabol was also given a part to introduce the organization to the community and explain our goal in this Outreach Program.

"After such, the students of Pasdong Elementary School gathered in the playground for the activities prepared for them. The first activity for them was the “Finding the Family” it is about making and creating an animal sound and finding their family sound with their eyes closed, 5 groups were created and through this, the creativity and wit of the kids and the facilitators was witnessed. The second game for all is called “Spider web” it is a getting to know activity using yarn. The yarn was being passed randomly through all the kids forming a web and the kids shouting their name whenever they catches the yarn, while holding the “spider web” the kids’ sang the Atok Hymn. This activity has been the symbolism of the unity of the community and their connections as students that they need each other for more learning experiences. The next activity was a separate game for Kinder to Grade 3 and Grade 4 to Grade6.

"Overall, the kids’ were very active, excited and very willing to give their best for the prizes waiting for them. The kids were able to adopt and follow the instructions from the facilitators. We have seen their enjoyment through their smiles and laughter. The games ended with an inspirational message from the facilitators for the kids followed by the awarding of gifts to the students awarded by Hon. Peter B. Alos , the Municipal Mayor of Atok, Benguet purely his presence was already a big gift for the students and for the community. The program ended at 3:00 in the afternoon.

"Hearing the kids say “Thank You” is music to our ears and seeing their beautiful smiles are now our inspiration in giving hope and joy to more kids that will be the future leaders and successors of their own communities and own country.

The facilitators: Tired but happy and fulfilled. 

"This Outreach Program is another successful activity for CYNGC but it will not be successful and meaningful without thefollowing organizations and people: SLU-KASAMA/SSC , SLU-PMS, KCP-SSG, UPGK- Baguio, GDC Quality Assurance Department-SITEL Baguio, Liezl Gano, Lynette Ateteo, Clint Labon, Marilyn Bango, Rojan Onangey ,Renz Tagle, Aris Enconado, Corazon Campoy and most especially the Municipality of Atok. They helped move our advocacy in attaining our goal of giving a “Universal Primary Education for All” to Pasdong Elementary School students.

"The Cordillera Youth Network for Global Change (CYNGC) keeps believing that “If we want Change, Let it begin with ourselves.”"

Photo Credit: Debraliz and Reymart.