For those curious as to what I do at work these are my three basic areas:
I help with a youth organization called Winners where we go to the local high schools and teach after school life skills classes. It’s really more of a club. Sessions include a variety of topics such as self confidence, leadership, self development, career skills, communication, and effective planning. We do fun activities to demonstrate the topic and process what they learned from the activity. A lot of times the activity requires the completion of a task, challenge, or puzzle that the group must work together to achieve. Another part of this club is a youth leadership camp that we are planning for the summer.
Livelihood Group
There is a group of parents of the children at the school where my center is based. I have been working with one of the community members on starting a livelihood group for interested parents who want training in various livelihood projects that can bring extra income to their household. It is currently in the works but we are hoping to start some trainings soon that include items made from recyclable materials such as newspaper and magazines.
Music Program
I’m developing a music program here called Cambiare Kabataan. “Cambiare” is an Italian musical term meaning, “to change.” The word “kabataan” is Tagalog for “youth.” The idea of the program is that music changes the lives of our youth. Music skills develop basic lifeskills that can be applied in other aspects of life and help youth succeed in their future. My goal is to offer music classes and workshops as well as begin to form a youth band. There are plenty of talented youth musicians and singers here but not a lot of music education available to them. None of the public schools have a choir. I’m not sure about band or orchestra.
So far, I’ve started a guitar class at my school, and I give lessons on the side to my neighborhood kids as well as some of the boys at the SDC (Social Development Center). Anyway, there’s a lot of potential for a good program, just a lack of resources and volunteers/teachers. But for now, this is the main focus of my work. I hope that it can work out!
Yours truly,
a girl who dreams
