By Maritoni L. Saberon | Project Officer
Youths have equal rights to education but with the limited resources and the lack of opportunities for some, they settle down with families at a young age. However, April, a high school student, aims higher educationally. She dreams to graduate from college and then land a job that fits her capacity. Having been identified as one of the beneficiaries of the free computer literacy program, she sees this as an opportunity to improve herself, giving her an advantage when looking for a job in the future. “Excited na kaayo ko. Puhon kung makatapos ko ug eskwela, magamit jud ni nako ang akong matun-an sa pagpangaplay ug trabaho. (I am so excited. Soon, when I finish my studies, I can use whatever computer skills that I will learn in applying for a job.),”said April.
Born to a farmer, she aspires to go beyond what others in their village her age have become- young mothers who live in poverty. Joselyn, April’s mother, shared that “when I was younger, I was not encouraged by my parents to finish school. For them, it was enough for me to learn how to read and write as I would just marry and have a family of my own just like the other girls in the village.”
However, she has realized the importance of having an education. “Dapat gyud tagaan ug importansiya ang edukasyon labi na lisod ang among panginabuhian. (It is necessary to give importance to education especially now that our life is difficult).” Now, she motivates her daughter to finish her studies to have a better job someday. She is also thankful that her daughter is given the rare opportunity to learn how to use a computer. Without the program, they cannot afford such skills training.
April is one of the 500 beneficiaries of the free computer literacy program in Barangay Tamayong, Calinan District, Davao City, Philippines. They were identified with the help of five social worker-volunteers from the Social Welfare Advocates Club (SWAC) and eleven youth leaders from the village. They had a brainstorming and planning session with CJFI’s project officer, Mineheart Tantoy. They divided themselves into three groups and conducted community immersion and home visitation where they interviewed the beneficiaries and some of their parents.
Based on the data gathered, most of the beneficiaries come from families whose parents are farmers and land tenants. They value education but with its expensive cost, they tend to utilize their children in tilling their lands. However, they are grateful for the free computer literacy program and they promised to support their children in this endeavor.
Like April, hundreds of youths are very excited to develop themselves in terms of computer literacy. You can help make this project possible by sharing your blessings through an online donation via Global Giving. Your support today will empower 500 more youths to have a greater advantage when they look for jobs and increased productivity in the workplace that can open more doors to various opportunities to access greater resources.
Together we can help them change their lives. Let’s do it.
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