Create More Child Safe Schools in the Philippines

 The Child Safe Schools Project emphasizes the crucial role of schools in creating and maintaining safe learning environments for children. For the 2024 implementation of the project, the foundation partnered with the Department of Education (DEPED) - Schools Division Office (SDO) of Oriental Mindoro. All 27 public schools in Pola, Oriental Mindoro were identified as the school partners of CSS 2024 

• All twenty-seven (27) public schools in the Municipality of Pola, Oriental Mindoro were capacitated to create localized child protection policy and programs during the Child Safe Schools Training, held last August 27-30, 2024. 

• The school partners from Pola, represented by a total of sixty-four (64) participants, attended the Child Safe Schools Guided Writeshop, held last September 16-17, 2024 

• A total of seven thousand seven hundred thirty-one (7,731) learners will benefit from the localized child protection policies and programs of the twenty-seven school partners (total population of the learners). 

The Child Safe Communities project is a four-phase project that aims to capacitate community leaders, particularly the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), in developing localized child protection policies and programs. 

• Last August 19-23, 2024, the Child Safe Communities Project launched its first run, accommodating a total of 27 participants, including nine representative form Young Focus Philippines. 

• A Guided Writeshop activity was conducted last September 10, where five (5) barangays presented their initial outputs, marking a key milestone in the development of their localized child protection policies 

• This year, the foundation, in collaboration with Young Focus Philippines and Manila Doctors Hospital, conducted workshops and training for six barangays to enhance their ability to develop localized child protection policies and programs, strengthen community referral systems, and promote children's rights through advocacy efforts. 

• A total of seventy-seven thousand three hundred sixty (77,360) individuals, including children, parents, and community members, are expected to benefit from the localized Child Protection Policy and Programs, which aim to ensure a safer environment for children in the community. 

The Children and Youth Advocacy Council, a project that highlights the importance of child participation in the development of programs for and by the children. It is comprised of selected children/youth members from various regions—Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR. 

• CYAC successfully completed a training program designed to enhance their knowledge and skills in key areas of Child Protection, Advocacy, and Project Management. The trainings covered Child Protection and Mental Health, with a focus on the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child, defining who children are, understanding the National Situation Analysis of Children in the Philippines, and exploring Child Protection LawsandMentalHealthforChildren. 

• In July, CYAC welcomed two new members-one from Luzon and one from National Capital Region (NCR).  Currently, CYAC comprises a total of eight members. 

Thank you for your relentless support in building safe spaces where Filipino children are safe and empowered!