The long and winding road
At the Foundation for Adolescent Development, Inc. (FAD), it’s Christmas every day — and everywhere, especially on the streets.
What with the foundation’s year-round programs for the 11,346 young boys and girls in Metro Manila who consider the streets their home and source of livelihood. Despite global advancement in communication and information technology and remarkable education-related initiatives to ensure access to basic education for all, FAD is socially aware that there are still children who have no access to primary schooling. And the foundation wastes no time to rescue them from the streets of despair and desolation and help them walk on a better road.
And so, the foundation pulled all stops to make possible a three-year partnership program with non-government organization members of the Metro West Network (MWN). With assistance from the United Nations Population Fund, FAD capacitated 98 programs and support staff of 19 NGOs on the integration of sexuality and reproductive health concerns of their beneficiaries — the streetchildren. FAD was able to accomplish its goals of developing the capacity and competencies on adolescent sexuality and reproductive health among the MWN member agencies which are directly involved in programs and services for the poor and marginalized sector of the society. Thanks to the tireless cooperation and participation of 19 partner agencies from Manila (Asilo de San Vicente de Paul, ERDA Foundation, FCED Inc., Friendship Home Fr. Luis Amigo, Hope for the Youth Foundation Inc., Hope Worldwide Philippines Inc., Kaibigan Ermita Outreach Foundation Inc., KAISAKA, Kanlungan sa ERMA Ministry Inc., Kapatiran Kaunlaran Foundation Inc., My Father’s House, Onesimo Foundation Inc., The Salvation Army and SRD Konkokyo Center); Makati (American Chamber Foundation Philippines Inc. and Virlanie Foundation Inc.); Mandaluyong (Unang Hakbang Foundation Inc. and Visayan Forum Foundation Inc.); and San Juan (Leto Christian Center).
FAD president Aurora Silayan Go is more than proud to elaborate on the foundation’s accomplishments in this three-year partnership. These include advocacy and networking, capacity building and continuous training of program administrators, staff and youth workers, user’s guide for service providers of children in need of special protection, behavior change communication and provision of technical assistance and monitoring.
Roadblock
Recently, the foundation launched its latest educational product — a video for streetchildren entitled Kalyeng Liku-Liko. To inspire the young viewers, the video features four true-to-life stories of teenagers who have experienced various roadblocks while walking in the highway of life: Angela, who at 14 years old, left home because of some family problems and ended up being pregnant at her tender age; Erwin, who learned to use illegal drugs; Obet, who was diagnosed with sexually transmitted infection; and Amor, who became a sex worker after an illegal recruiter promised her a decent job in the city.
“We have been producing educational videos for the youth in and out of school and even for the parents dealing with issues concerning the youth such as drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual harassment, teen pregnancy, peer pressure and sexually transmitted infections,” says Go, who adds that this educational video intends to inform and educate and is accompanied by discussion guides on values formation, which they painstakingly prepared.
Detour
Child star Jairus Aquino, who earned the name “Pambansang Best Friend,” stars in the video as he helps his sidekick, street kid Allan (played by Joshua Nuque) understand that living on the street is a choice. Together, they meet the characters and discover the real stories of the four featured teenagers. And together, they learn the lessons along the way.
After several roadblocks, Jairus was able to convince Allan that however long and winding the road streetchildren traverse, there is always a detour — a choice to walk on the path that will lead them to a better life, away from the streets.
Rapper O.G. Sacred also reiterates this message through a rap song he composed which was used as the background music of the video. Part of the song goes: “Pagkat ang kapalaran ay ayon sa iyong desisyon; Liku-liko man ang kalsada ay may destinasyon;
Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition big winner and teen star Kim Chiu, who anchored the video pro bono, leaves a final message that sums up what FAD wants these poor and helpless members of our society to realize: there is hope because there is help.
“Kung saan mang kalye ka naroroon, di pa huli ang lahat. Meron kang choice na iwan ang paghihirap sa kalye. Pwedeng humindi at umayaw sa mga abuso. At tandaan, pag may tumulong sa iyo, tulungan mo silang matulungan ka. Nasa iyo ang choice para mapunta naman sa kalye namin dito. Hihintayin ka namin, ha?” is Kim Chiu’s final message to the kids.
While the Christmas spirit is still all over the air, it is the best time to give thanks. It is also the best time to give back. But for the Foundation for Adolescent Development, Inc., the Christmas spirit will always be there, 365 days of the year.
(For inquiries, call the foundation at 734-1788.)
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