Tags: Inspirational Stories, Poverty
By Anna Valmero
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA – Jonathan Abello believes giving kids at the Payatas dumpsite an opportunity to learn livelihood skills and access to education will open doors to a better future. He is sure about it because he used be a scavenger himself.
“Marami sa kabataan naming istambay sa kanto, walang trabaho. Kung mabibigyan talaga kami ng pagkakataon na makapag-aral, kukunin naman kasi mas magiging maganda ang kinabukasan namin,” says Abello, who is the president of the Kokkyo naki Kodomatachi (KnK) – Children and Youth Organization (CAYO).
A high school dropout, the 19-year-old Abello took the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of Department of Education (DepEd). Under the ALS program, out-of-school-youth or those without formal schooling, can attend classes based on modules and are given competency exams to qualify for enrollment in high school, college or a vocational course.
To encourage class attendance, the organization gives free bags and school supplies. Each student must attend a three-hour class for three days each week, according to Helen De Vera-Estrada, coordinator for Payatas working for the KnK (which translates to Children Without Borders).
Aside from encouraging the youth to spend time for school, the organization started since May a livelihood program to give them an alternative source of income apart from scavenging.
“Bukod sa ipinapasok namin sa ALS, nagkaroon kami ng programang pangkabuhayan kung saan o gumagawa sila ng mga chimes out of recycled material. Para naman matutuhan din nila ang pagiging self-reliant,” says De Vera-Estrada.
The KnK tapped street educator Romeo Florendo of People’s Initiative to Earn and Learn (Pinsel) to teach the Payatas youth on how to make chimes out of metal scraps such as spoons and wires they found in the dumpsite. Semi-precious stones were included in the design to add color to the finished products. Aside from chimes, Florendo also taught the Payatas youth on how to make earrings that feature ethnic designs.
Their products are sold in events in partnership with non-governmental organizations such as the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) Theater Center.
For this year, KnK Payatas has 95 enrollees, of which at least half are active in attending ALS classes. Last year, KnK had 100 enrollees; 10 of the 45 who took the competency exam passed and were allowed to enroll in vocational and college courses, including Abello.
Abello is now an incoming college sophomore taking up an Education degree major in English at Golden Link College. Now living at the KnK shelter, he teaches other scholars and is regarded as their kuya or older brother.
The former Payatas scavenger dreams of becoming a full-pledged teacher someday. “Kung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon, gusto kong maging teacher sa mga kapwa ko kabataan sa Payatas kasi mahalaga ang edukasyon sa pag-abot sa aming pangarap,” he says.
Sayaw, Sabel , featuring Davao-based choreographer Agnes Locsin, premieres at PETA Theater Center on June 26. Repeat performance on July 17 at Ayala Museum, followed by a national tour to Laguna, Bacolod, Iloilo and Davao City. Call 0915-5825422 for more details. Chimes, earrings and other products made by the Payatas kids under KnK are sold during the show.
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i really appreciate the work of those young person in payatas ! Thank you for the NGO who helped them find their happiness despite all the struggles they experience !!
keep up the good work ! I salute you all
And thank you also for this website i will make this as a basis in our project !!
Gusto ko ang kwentas na kutsara para lagi ko eh su ot para kahit saang kainan meron na akong kutsara he he he!!!!!!!
Ang galing ng mga bata maganda ang mga gawa nila. Sana marami pang pictures sa products at marami pa sanang bumili ng produkto. Galingan nyo ang marketing para madami kayong kita!