Creative Communication Camps for Children at Risk Successfully Held
The creative communication camps popularly known as Kiddie Kamp Kalingap (KKK), led and organized by the Communication Foundation for Asia (CFA) were successfully held in three beneficiary communities. Among the beneficiary communities are the Kadasig Aid and Development Foundation, MSC Center for the Poor, and Friendship Home.
Kadasig Aid and Development Foundation
The first creative communication camp kicked off in Barili, Cebu. A total of 17 parents and guardians participated in the three-day session held from September 5-7, 2022. During the session, parents were able to understand the importance of their role in upholding their children’s rights.
Emily Alcoseba, the Project Head of Kadasig Aid, and overall facilitator of the activity helped in translating the discussions into their local language for better understanding.
On September 9-10, and October 1, the session with children took place. There were 20 children who attended the session and joined the engaging activities prepared by the Kadasig Aid and Development Foundation.
One of the highlights of the session is the discussion about Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) and Underwear Protocol. The facilitator of the activity presented a video entitled “Lihim ni Emily” to spread awareness and help the attendees in protecting themselves from sexual exploitation online and offline.
MSC Center for the Poor
The second creative communication camp was held on October 1-2, 2022, in MSC Center for the Poor in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. CFA gathered a total of 18 participants out of 20 selected children from the said community. Since most of the attendees belong to the poorest of the poor, MSC provided a transportation service to lessen the burden of the parents.
Most of the children were Cebuano speaking and had difficulty understanding the topics discussed due to the language barrier. But through the help of Shenna Tubo, staff of the MSC Center for the Poor, they were able to translate and summarize the discussions well.
In the end, the attendees were able to express what they’ve learned through creative communication such as drawing, writing, storytelling, singing, and dancing.
Similar to the first creative communication camp in Cebu, the staff helped the parents in translating the discussion for them to better understand children’s rights. However, compared to the previous camp, the organizers had a hard time convincing the parents to attend the session since most of them are busy working and participating in the activity would affect the income of the family. As a sign of appreciation to the 18 parents who were able to participate, MSC gave food packs to them which would help in their day-to-day needs.
Friendship Home
Lastly, the third beneficiary of Creative Communication Camp is the Friendship Home in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Held on October 30-November 1, 2022, the three-day session activity with the children was hosted by the Amigonians. Bro. Luis Ortiz, Head of Friendship Home, and Bro. Severino Patricio, an Amigonian brother, led the coordination and execution of the activity.
The session in Friendship Home was attended by 20 children beneficiaries and some seminarians. Florence Pasos, a professor at the University of the Philippines, discussed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and explained the Underwear Protocol to the children. During the discussion, she also gave them practical ways on how to protect themselves from abuse.
Meanwhile, Bro. Junjun Primitivo of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart highlighted the importance of children showing respect to their parents during the session. The participants were also given an opportunity to express themselves through storytelling, painting, poetry, and music.
On November 4-6, a total of 20 parents of the children beneficiaries participated in the three-day session.
The main highlight of the session with the parents is the discussion on how having a good home environment plays a key role in the development of children. During the session, the parents were reminded about their essential role in providing for the needs of their children which include time, attention, and proper environment.
Overall, the participants of the creative communication camps expressed their deepest gratitude to CFA and other advocate partners for organizing and supporting the project.